JOB LOCATION

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.
 
Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Aurora Water is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the drinking water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage systems, treatment of drinking water and non-potable reclaimed wastewater for irrigation, billing and collection, public outreach and water conservation, acquisition and development of future water rights, major capital projects programs, and quality control for regulatory compliance and public health.

The Wastewater Treatment Operator performs treatment plant operational duties in the maintenance and operation of high performing, nationally recognized water treatment facilities.  

A successful candidate for this position could be brought on at the Wastewater Treatment Operator A or B level depending on the selected candidate's qualifications, skills, and experience.

The deadline to submit applications is October 18th, 2026. Please note, The City of Aurora will conduct ongoing screenings of applications on a first come, first-serve basis; as soon as we determine to have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

Salary to be commensurate with experience.  
Wastewater Treatment Operator B: $41.49 per hour 
Wastewater Treatment Operator A: $47.01 per hour 

Primary Duties & Responsibilities of both Operator B/Operator A:

• Ensures treated water quality meets or surpasses all State, Federal, and Water Department standards. 
• Monitors raw and treated water flows, adjust flows and pumping rates as needed. 
• Conducts quality tests on raw and treated water. 
• May develop, monitor, and implement a process control plan for plant operation using manual and computerized systems. 
• Maintains, inspects, troubleshoots, reports, and performs maintenance and repair of plant equipment. 
• Maintains plant facility, grounds, and security. 
• Prepares daily, weekly, and monthly reports of plant performance and responds to questions, problems, and complaints concerning water quality or service. 
• Ensures cleanliness of assigned areas and proper storage of equipment and supplies. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 

Additional Operator A Primary Responsibilities:

Oversees work performed on assigned shifts and acts as Lead worker for operators. Mixes chemicals; maintains and calibrates on-line process analyzers; evaluates treatment processes to ensure optimization; and keeps records of chemicals used and tests performed. Develops, monitors, and implements process control plans; trains and instructs staff in plant maintenance and operation activities; and ensures use of proper safety equipment and procedures.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrates required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered. 

Education:   

• High School Diploma or GED.  

Licenses and Certifications Required:

• Colorado driver's license with a good driving history.  
• Wastewater Treatment Operator B: Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operators Class B and the Ability to obtain a Class A Water Treatment Operator certification within 1½ years (18 months) of being in the position as a Water Treatment Operator B with Aurora Water.
• Wastewater Treatment Operator A: Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operators Class A Certificate. 

Experience:   

• Wastewater Treatment Operator B: Experience required to obtain a Water Treatment Operator B certification as per CDPHE certification requirements
• Wastewater Treatment Operator A: Experience required to obtain a Water Treatment Operator B certification as per CDPHE certification requirements

  Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's Degree in water technology or water quality management  

Knowledge: 

• Comprehensive knowledge of safety practices and requirements of a water treatment plant.  
• Knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, mathematics, and hydrology; pumps, valves, motors, filters, backflow prevention devices, piping, and plumbing structures; 
• Chemical analysis and testing techniques 

Skills:   

• Skill in the use of personal computers including word processing and spreadsheet software applications. 
• Skill in checking information for accuracy and completeness and correcting errors. 
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing 

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Wastewater Treatment Operator B Abilities:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens  
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations 
• Perform chemical, physical, and biological control analyses 
• Ability to understand oral and written instructions 

Wastewater Treatment Operator A Abilities:  

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and citizens 
• Perform mathematical computations  
• Perform chemical, physical, and biological control analyses, corrosion control, and cross-connection control  
• work without close supervision  
• Direct the work of other employees  
• Creatively solve problems, negotiate and handle stressful situations in a positive manner.  

WORKING CONDITIONS  

Essential Personnel:  

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel. 

Physical Demands: 

• Medium physical work requiring the ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds repetitively  
• Frequent lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds  
• Frequent walking and standing to monitor control room and treatment plant operations  
• Frequent pushing, pulling, and climbing to check system equipment 
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard and treatment plant controls  
• Foot/eye coordination for operation of motor vehicle  
• Clear vision to read and interpret written reports and control room gauges  
• Speech communications for communication with employees and citizens  
• Hearing and listening for instructions and warning signals.

Work Environment: 

• Works primarily indoors in a treatment plant facility with exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and fumes; some outdoor work. 

Equipment Used: 

• Operates treatment plant equipment, computer, and motor vehicles. 
• This role may require the incumbent to occasionally use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment. 

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:  Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.
           
The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer.  We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants.  It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.
                                         
Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace.  A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.
 

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, and Employment References:
As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check. 

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.  

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.