Utility Operator 1 Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Summary
Position serves as a trainee with a primary purpose to work under a journeyman level position to maintain, test, troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate utility systems that require work, wastewater treatment plant operation, and water treatment plant operation.
Salary Range: First time hires to the federal government typically start at the beginning salary in the range for their respective grade level.
WG-08: $29.20 (Step 1) to $34.06 (Step 5) per hour - Northeastern Arizona (RUS) Wage Area
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help

• Complete water treatment processes in accordance with Federal, state, and/or local regulations, as well as Departmental and Bureau level policy.
• Make and/or scheduled equipment checks to gauges, meters, electrical motors, pumps, chemical feeders, auxiliary generators, and recording and controlling devices.
• Collect water samples and conduct and record basic water sampling tests such as fluoride or chlorine content and ion concentration (pH) levels.
• Make plumbing repairs that can be accomplished by removing, cleaning, replacing, packing, and sealing defective parts of utility, supply, and disposal systems such as dirty traps, sections of broken pipe, and leaky drains.
• Operate one or more motor vehicles which typically have an approximate gross vehicle weight of more than 11,700 kilograms (26,000 pounds) and up to 14,400 kilograms (32,000 pounds) over public roads.

At the WG-10 level, this position requires that the incumbent possess a current Colorado Class C water treatment and Level 1 water distribution license as well as a Level 1 Wastewater Collections License. Equivalent licenses from another State with which Colorado shares reciprocity are also acceptable. Licenses must be obtained before attaining the WG-10 grade level. A training plan has been devised to assist the incumbent on obtaining the required licenses.
Duties will be developmental in nature when filled below the full performance level. You will work under closer than normal supervision at the trainee level performing assignments designed to provide the competencies, skills, and experience required to perform the more complex work at the journey level. The work increases in difficulty, complexity, and responsibility as you gain experience and demonstrate a full comprehension of the target level position. As a trainee, you must perform work under the direct supervision and oversight of a journey level position.
Physical Effort: Work assignments typically require moderately heavy physical effort to lift, carry, or otherwise handle items typically weighing up to 100 pounds. Duties require the incumbent to maneuver into and out of specific locations while dismantling and assembling utility related equipment. The incumbent makes repairs and installations from ladders, scaffolding, and platforms where the parts of systems worked on are in hard-to-reach places. Frequent standing, walking, bending, crouching, reaching, and stooping is typical. Occasionally, climbing and work in high places may be required, as well as the use of hoists, holders, and pulleys when handling large equipment.
Working Conditions: Work is both indoors and outdoors where the incumbent may be subject to prevailing weather conditions. The incumbent may be exposed to biological hazards or diseases while cleaning equipment or shoveling sludge, and hazardous gases such as methane, chlorine, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon monoxide. The incumbent may also be subject to electrical shock, loud noises, acids, and hydraulic fluids while working around motors and pumps. There is exposure to shock, burns, and strains. The incumbent follows prescribed safety practices and uses safety equipment such as face shields, gloves, hard-toe shoes, goggles, rubber mats, hard hats, respirators, and protective clothing that may be uncomfortable to wear. The incumbent is required to attend and participate in safety meetings and trainings and review and follow safety regulations and policies prior to using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The incumbent may be required to operate motor vehicles and heavy engineering equipment.
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Appointment subject to background investigation and favorable adjudication.
• Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.
• Direct Deposit participation required.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, visit www.dhs.gov/EVerify/.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license throughout employment.
• You may be required to work on-call, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and shift work.
• You must possess and maintain a Class B (or higher) Commercial Driver's License with Tanker Endorsement within 180 days of onboarding date.
• Pre-employment and random drug testing are required. You will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test is received.
• You are required to wear a uniform and comply with the uniform standards. A uniform allowance will be provided.
• You may be required to complete training, obtain, and maintain a government credit card with travel and/or purchase authority.
• You must be at least (1) 18 years old or (2) at least 16 years old and: (a) Have graduated from high school or been awarded a certificate equivalent to graduating from high school; or (b) Have completed a formal vocational training program; or (c) Have received a statement from school authorities agreeing with their preference for employment rather than continuing their education; or (d) Be currently enrolled in a secondary school and either work only during school vacation periods or work part-time during the school year under a formal student employment program.
• Additional Requirements located under Qualifications

Qualifications
All qualifications must be met by the closing date of this announcement-09/15/2026-unless otherwise stated in this vacancy announcement.
To qualify for this position, you must have sufficient knowledge and ability in the following job-related factors:

1. Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision (SCREEN OUT)
2. Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc.
3. Technical Practices (theoretical precise, artistic)
4. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, et. (includes blueprint reading)
5. Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment
6. Knowledge of Materials

If your knowledge and ability in the SCREEN OUT factor above is not sufficient, you will receive no further consideration. In preparing your application, describe in detail the experience and training which you have had that specifically prepared you for this job and to perform the duties described for this job. Experience should be clearly described and documented in your resume. Your resume must support your response to the assessment questionnaire, and if it does not, your application will be marked as not eligible. The qualifications reviewer will not assume performance of such duties by Job Titles alone. Address your knowledge, skills and/or abilities in the areas shown in the job-related factors.
You must meet at least 2 points on the screen-out element(s) and obtain an average of at least 2 points on all of the job elements to be considered qualified for this position.
Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Requirements Continued:
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest will be evaluated.
This probationary period is an extension of the appointment process and therefore requires the agency to determine if continued employment would advance the public interest, meet the organization goals and mission of the agency, and/or otherwise promote the efficiency of the service. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, the agency will consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Under applicable law, the employment of an individual serving a probationary or trial period automatically terminates when that period ends unless the agency affirmatively certifies, in writing, that the individual's employment should continue and that their appointment should be finalized. In the absence of agency action to affirmatively certify continued employment beyond the probationary or trial period, such appointments are terminated.
Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
There is no substitution of education for experience for Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.
Additional information
Park Information: The park is located 16 miles west of Gunnison, Colorado. The park encompasses three reservoirs, including Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest body of water in Colorado. The two lower reservoirs are within the spectacular Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The park is at over 7,000 feet in elevation, and has sagebrush hills, deep forested canyons, and high desert plateaus. The park is home to a variety of plants and abundant wildlife, including mule deer, elk, and big horn sheep. There are 10,000 years of human history to explore, from Ute Indians to the narrow-gauge railroads and mines of the 19th century. There are abundant recreational opportunities in the area, including camping, biking, water activities, fishing, and hiking as well as numerous winter sports opportunities. Park housing may be available. Gunnison has a population of approximately 5,000 and includes most grocery, shopping, and medical services. For more information on the Gunnison and Crested Butte area, see the Chamber of Commerce website: http://www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com.For more information on Curecanti National Recreation Area, see the website: www.nps.gov/cure.
Additional vacancies may be filled using this job announcement.
Promotion to the full performance level is neither guaranteed nor implied and will be based solely on your ability to satisfactorily perform the work of the position, existing work at the higher grade level, and recommendation by the position's supervisor.
All Department of Interior (DOI) employees, their spouses, and minor children may not acquire or retain any claim, permit, lease, small tract entry, or other rights granted by the Department in Federal lands, with limited exceptions. Additional ethics prohibitions can be found here, https://www.doi.gov/ethics/ethics-prohibitions.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.