Water Plant Project Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $28.27 - $48.92 Hourly
Location : City of Thornton; Wes Brown Water Treatment Plant, CO
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 26120
Department: Infrastructure
Opening Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
WORK HOURS: ROTATING SHIFT WORK
PROBATION: One year (if not currently a certified City of Thornton employee)
STATUS 2: FLSA NON-EXEMPT/CAREER SERVICE INCLUDED
BENEFITS: SEE BENEFITS TAB
We are hiring a new Water Treatment Specialist or Plant Operator to join our incredibly talented and dedicated team plant operators! Our ideal candidate will have a CO water plant operator A certification. If you are a person that likes variety, challenges, and accomplishments, is team oriented but can work individually to deliver a common goal, this is the place for you.
2026 Salary Ranges for specific positions below DOE and certification level
Water Treatment Specialist: $37.80-$49.90/hr
Water Plant Operator III: $33.01-$43.58/hr
Water Plant Operator II: $30.85-$40.72/hr
Water Plant Operator I: $28.83-$38.06/hr
Compensation & Benefits

• $Base hourly pay rate + shift differential pay + overtime pay
• 11 Paid Holidays plus up to 2 Floating Holidays
• Generous Vacation & Sick Leave
• Health Insurance (Cigna or Kaiser)
• Dental Insurance (Delta)
• Vision Insurance (VSP Vision)
• Life, Dependent Life & Supplemental Life Insurance Options
• Flexible Spending Plan
• Retiree Health Savings Plan
• Pension Plan & Deferred Compensation Plans with up 7.6% Employer Match
• Multilingual Incentive Pay
• Recreation Center Pass for you and your immediate family members
• Wellness Program -
• In-House Training Opportunities
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

The Community
Thornton is a diverse community with a strong commitment to quality of life. The community's location provides an ideal environment for business and recreation. Located in the Denver metropolitan area, the City of Thornton is adjacent to Westminster, Broomfield, Northglenn, Federal Heights, and Commerce City. The community's natural setting of ridgelines, wildlife, waterways, rolling hills, and undeveloped land provide Thornton residents with amenities that contribute to a unique quality of life.
The City of Thornton is the sixth largest city in Colorado. Located in the northeast quadrant of the Denver metropolitan area and comprising 37 square miles, Thornton is only 10 minutes from downtown Denver, 35 minutes from Denver International Airport (DIA) and less than 2 hours from the Breckenridge and Vail ski areas. Thornton offers convenient access to Interstate 25, Interstate 70, Interstate 76, E-470, and U.S. 36 and is serviced by the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD), which provides public transportation.
The Infrastructure Department
The Infrastructure Department is a dedicated team of approximately 200 that provides a variety of services, including raw water rights and accounting; water treatment; water quality testing; water distribution; sanitary sewer collection; stormwater conveyance and flood control; street maintenance and snow plowing; trash and recycling collection; traffic engineering and operations; engineering services including capital project management, surveying, MS4 Program management, ArcGIS services, ROW permitting, and utility locates; and real estate/real property management. The Departments' total annual operating budget is approximately $45M, funded through various general government and enterprise funds (water, sewer, stormwater, sanitation).
The Position
The city of Thornton is seeking a Water Plant Operator/Water Treatment Specialist who represents a culture of health and is committed to providing high quality drinking water to our diverse customer base of 160,000 people and growing. Our system is also diverse, with multiple source waters including the South Platte River, Clear Creek, and a developing source on the Cache la Poudre River; two water plants; multiple pump stations; and plenty of capital improvement projects on the horizon, all making Thornton a very exciting place to work. Some job duties include:

• Operate one of two High Performance Water Treatment plants -
• 50 mgd ultrafiltration plant
• 20 + mgd ozone/biofiltration plant
• Monitoring Raw, Process and Finished Water Quality
• Adjusting Water Treatment Chemicals
• Perform Lab Bench Tests
• Adjusting Raw and Finished Water Flows
• Ordering and Receiving Chemicals
• Filter and Membrane Surveillance
• Rotating Shifts

Under specified supervision, monitors water plant operations and computerized control systems, and adjusts plant-operating conditions to provide a safe and adequate treated water supply.
Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from level I or, when filled from the outside, require prior directly related experience.
Water Plant Operator I:
Under immediate supervision, this is the entry-level class in the Water Plant Operator series. Incumbents entering the class are required to have little directly related work experience. Generally, work is observed and reviewed both during performance and upon completion, and changes in procedures or exceptions to rules are explained in detail as they arise.
Water Plant Operator II:
Under general supervision, this is the intermediate-level class in the Water Plant Operator series, which requires the appropriate Plant Operator's certification. Employees work with only occasional instruction or assistance.
Water Plant Operator III:
Under general supervision, this is the journey-level class in the Water Plant Operator series, which requires the appropriate Plant Operator's certification. Employees receive minimal instruction and assistance. Incumbents assigned to this class are expected to perform the full range of work assigned to this class and to work with considerable independence and initiative. The Water Plant Operator III is flexibly linked to Water Treatment Specialist.
Water Treatment Specialist: Under direction, monitors water plant operations and computerized control systems and adjusts plant-operating conditions to provide a safe and adequate treated water supply.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by this position.)
Conducts daily inspections and monitors operations of drinking water plant facilities and equipment. Combines various data elements to make necessary changes to achieve optimal water treatment goals and provide a safe and adequate treated water supply.
Monitors and controls the water distribution system and wastewater collection system through the use of electronic and automated control systems. Observes variations in operating conditions by interpreting meter, gauge, and graph readings as well as water quality test results. Performs collection of water samples and related laboratory tests. Documents readings and results.
Combines various data elements to properly gauge the quantity of treated water needed to maintain sufficient storage tank levels for uninterrupted service to customers during high demand and fire flow conditions. Monitors and records all water storage tank levels.
Interprets data to properly maintain pressure zone balance in the distribution system. Calculates and maintains correct water flow (MGD) rate. Adjusts pumps and valves for plant flow conditions.
Maintains a thorough knowledge of federal and state laws, local statutes, ordinances, standards and procedures related to water plant operations, and ensures compliance and implementation.
Operates Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer system; understands the proper use of Plant Control Systems (PCS); understands function of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), remote Inputs and Outputs (I/O) and Remote Terminal Units (RTUs). Interprets data, resolves errors, and performs rudimentary diagnostics.
Maintains proper use of in-line process instrumentation, including turbidimeters, pH monitors, suspended solids analyzers, chlorine analyzers, sludge blanket monitors and ORP probes. Conducts instrumentation calibration, interprets data, understands deviations, makes corrections and controls processes.
Responsible for the safe and proper operation of plant mechanical systems, including chemical feeders, centrifugal pumps, metering pumps, positive displacement pumps, electric motors, air blowers, mixers and air compressors. Reports any deviation from normal operation.
Creates and analyzes reports utilized to maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act; maintains oversight of water quality; develops cost of service; develops future plans and budgets.
Reviews engineering documents, including contract specification design reports, line drawings and construction diagrams.
Performs work that requires the use of specified respiratory equipment that guards against exposure to airborne hazards. Complies with all Municipal, State, and Federal physical requirements as per Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) guidelines.
Performs research on new methods and advances in water treatment through a variety of technical sources.
Responds and investigates customer questions and complaints regarding perceptions of water quality, such as dirty water, taste and odor, no water, low water pressure and frozen pipes. Resolves problems or refers to proper person or department. Tracks incoming calls in daily log.
Works a varying schedule and/or shift.
Understands the operation and use of the various raw water sources available.
May perform emergency dispatch duties for after-hours, weekends, and holidays, related to utilities emergencies such as water main breaks and sewer line backups.
May be required to work overtime.
Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience:
Water Plant Operator I:
High school diploma or GED, with additional course work in chemistry, biology or related field. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Water Plant Operator II:
High school diploma or GED; two years' experience performing water purification plant operations. In accordance with the Colorado Water & Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board, postsecondary education may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the experience requirements.
Water Plant Operator III:
High school diploma or GED; three years' experience performing water purification plant operations. In accordance with the Colorado Water & Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board, postsecondary education may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the experience requirements
Water Treatment Specialist: High school diploma or GED; four years' experience performing surface water treatment plant operations. In accordance with the Colorado Water & Wastewater Facility Operators Certification Board, postsecondary education may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the experience requirements. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.
Licensing/Certification Requirements:
Water Plant Operator I:
State of Colorado Water Plant Operator's certification, Class D, or ability to obtain.
May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.
Water Plant Operator II:
State of Colorado Water Plant Operator's certification, Class C.
May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.
Water Plant Operator III:
State of Colorado Water Plant Operator's certification, Class B.
May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.
In addition to the above, progress through the State of Colorado Water Treatment Plant Operator's certification testing per the following schedule as a condition of employment from date of hire.
Current CertificationCertification ScheduleNo Certification"D" level in one (1) year.
"C" level in two (2) years.
"B" level in three (3) years.
"A" level in four (4) years."D" Certification"C" level in one (1) year.
"B" level in two (2) years.
"A" level in three (3) years."C" Certification"B" level in one (1) year.
"A" level in two (2) years."B" Certification"A" level in one (1) year.
Water Treatment Specialist: State of Colorado Water Plant Operator's certification, Class A.
May need the ability to travel to various locations in a timely manner as the job requires.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of the policies, procedures and goals of the city of Thornton and the department.
Knowledge of water treatment and purification procedures and methods.
Knowledge of the principles of hydraulics and plumbing.
Knowledge of the methods, materials, and tools used in the operations of water facility equipment.
Knowledge of computer SCADA systems as used in water treatment systems.
Knowledge of Plant Control Systems and instrumentation.
Knowledge of mathematics relating to water treatment, e.g., the calculation of volumes, areas, flow rates, and dosage rates.
Knowledge of current regulatory requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Disinfectant, Disinfection Byproducts Rule and the Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Knowledge of chlorination principles and disinfectant requirements as required by federal, state, and local policies, codes and regulations.
Knowledge of biology and bacteriology as related to water treatment.
Knowledge of the purpose, projects, organization, and employ