Raw Water Operations Technician I - III

Anticipated Hiring Ranges: 

Technician I:                              $21.96 - $26.72 Hourly

Technician II:                             $24.16 - $30.00 Hourly

Technician III:                            $26.57 - $32.99 Hourly

Full Salary Ranges:   

Technician I:                              $21.96 - $31.84 Hourly           

Technician II:                             $24.16 - $35.03 Hourly

Technician III:                            $26.57 - $38.53 Hourly

Why Do I See Two Salary Ranges?
The City of Greeley, in compliance with Colorado state law, includes a salary range for all positions posted. This law improves wage transparency. We post both the full salary range and the anticipated hiring range, where we expect to make an offer. Offers are based on experience, education, certifications, and other factors.

City of Greeley's Total Rewards
The City of Greeley is committed to providing a comprehensive total rewards program that supports employees in their work by encouraging excellence and investing in employee development and recognition. This philosophy is grounded in fiscal responsibility, organizational effectiveness, and employee safety and well-being, ensuring the responsible stewardship of public resources while offering meaningful and comparable rewards. This approach ensures that the city remains an attractive, inclusive, and rewarding work environment, while also effectively serving the community.  

Benefits:  This position is benefits eligible. Please view our benefits guide here.

Job Summary

The City of Greeley is seeking a Raw Water Operations Technician I–III to support the operation, maintenance, and reliability of the City's raw and non-potable water systems. This position works with pump stations, diversion structures, valves, pipelines, ditches, reservoirs, ponds, irrigation infrastructure, and related facilities.

The Raw Water Operations Technician I–III classification provides a structured career progression based on experience, technical knowledge, certifications, demonstrated competency, and the ability to independently perform increasingly complex work.

Employees perform water system operations, preventive and corrective maintenance, mechanical troubleshooting, water measurement, SCADA monitoring, vegetation management, equipment operation, fabrication, and emergency response. Work is performed in coordination with Water Resources staff, ditch companies, contractors, customers, water users, and other City teams.

City-Paid CDL Training

The City of Greeley supports employees in obtaining the required Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Employees who do not possess the required Class A CDL may be eligible for City-paid CDL training after six months of employment. Participation requires a $3,500 CDL Training Repayment Agreement. Repayment is 100% if leaving within one year of the agreement and 66% if leaving between one and two years. No repayment is required after two years. Additional terms apply.

Minimum Requirements: 

All Levels:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid, unrestricted driver's license.
• Current Class A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with tanker endorsement or ability to obtain within one year of employment 
• Basic knowledge of methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in utility construction and maintenance.
• Ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools, and light-to-heavy equipment.
• Ability to participate in a rotating standby/on-call schedule and respond to the designated work location within 45 minutes when required.

Raw Water Technician I:

• Six (6) months of experience in utility operations, construction, mechanical maintenance, irrigation, agriculture, equipment operation, or a related field. 

Raw Water Technician II:

• Two (2) years of experience in raw water operations, water utilities, irrigation systems, pump maintenance, heavy equipment operation, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience independently operating and maintaining mechanical equipment, water-delivery infrastructure, or related utility systems.

Raw Water Technician III:

• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in raw water operations, water utilities, pump and mechanical maintenance, irrigation infrastructure, or a closely related field.

• Demonstrated advanced competency in raw-water operations, pump and mechanical troubleshooting, system hydraulics, and interpretation of controls and operational data.

• Ability to plan complex field work, diagnose recurring failures, explain technical decisions, and train other employees.

• Experience coordinating complex field operations, emergency response, and technical maintenance activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant coursework or practical training in industrial maintenance, pumps, motors, controls, machining, welding/fabrication, irrigation, or utility operations.

• Colorado Water Distribution Operator certification or water collections certifications. 

• First Aid and CPR/AED certification.

• Confined space entry, excavation safety, and trenching and shoring training.

• Bilingual in English and Spanish.
• Commercial Driver's License (CDL), Class A with tanker endorsement. 

Raw Water Operations Technician I – Essential Functions:

The Technician I is the entry/developmental level and performs routine work under direction while developing the skills necessary to independently operate and maintain raw and non-potable water systems.

• Assist with the operation, inspection, cleaning, and routine maintenance of pump stations, valves, pipelines, ditches, ponds, reservoirs, headgates, and rights-of-way.
• Read meters and gauges, record water deliveries and operating information, and report abnormal conditions.
• Learn pump startup and shutdown, valve operation, lubrication, preventive maintenance, and basic mechanical inspection.
• Use SCADA after training to monitor assigned readings, trends, and alarms.
• Perform vegetation management, debris removal, ditch maintenance, and general facility maintenance.
• Learn to safely operate tractors, mowers, backhoes, mini excavators, snow plows, dump trucks, loaders, trailers, and other assigned equipment after qualification.
• Assist with basic mechanical repairs, fabrication, welding, rigging, and lifting activities within demonstrated qualifications.
• Maintain accurate inspection, maintenance, operating, and work-order records in CityWorks or other assigned systems.
• Support on-call and emergency response activities within demonstrated qualifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Raw Water Operations Technician II – Essential Functions:

The Technician II is the journey level and independently performs routine system operations, maintenance, equipment operation, and troubleshooting.

• Independently operate pump stations, headgates, valves, diversion structures, and water-delivery facilities within established operating parameters.
• Inspect and maintain ditches, ponds, reservoirs, pipelines, irrigation infrastructure, pump stations, and rights-of-way.
• Diagnose and repair routine pump, valve, mechanical, and water-delivery problems.
• Perform preventive maintenance and evaluate pumps, motors, bearings, seals, vibration, and other equipment conditions.
• Use SCADA to monitor system conditions, diagnose routine alarms, verify field conditions, and make authorized operating adjustments.
• Independently operate tractors, mowers, backhoes, mini excavators, snow plows, dump trucks, loaders, trailers, and related equipment after qualification.
• Perform authorized fabrication, welding, crane-truck, rigging, and lifting activities within demonstrated qualifications.
• Coordinate assigned work with Water Resources staff, ditch companies, contractors, customers, water users, and other City teams.
• Maintain accurate operating, inspection, maintenance, and work-order records.
• Participate in on-call rotations and independently respond to routine alarms, flooding, delivery interruptions, and equipment failures.
• Provide guidance to less experienced employees as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Raw Water Operations Technician III – Essential Functions:

The Technician III is the advanced technical level and performs complex troubleshooting, system reliability, and technical field coordination.

• Diagnose complex pump, valve, piping, hydraulic, mechanical, and water-delivery problems and recommend corrective actions.
• Coordinate system isolations, shutdowns, restarts, commissioning, and other technically complex operational activities.
• Evaluate pump performance, alignment, vibration, bearings, seals, motors, and recurring equipment failures and recommend maintenance or asset improvements.
• Troubleshoot SCADA, instrumentation, VFD, motor, pump, and control-system interactions in coordination with qualified specialists.
• Plan and perform advanced fabrication, welding, equipment operation, rigging, and lifting activities within demonstrated qualifications.
• Lead technically complex field work involving heavy equipment and evaluate site conditions, equipment limitations, and operational hazards.
• Develop or recommend field procedures, preventive maintenance practices, and system reliability improvements.
• Support asset-condition assessments and provide technical input regarding repair, rehabilitation, and replacement needs.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentoring to less-experienced technicians.
• Lead assigned technical response to equipment failures, flooding, delivery interruptions, and other system emergencies.
• Maintain accurate documentation and analyze operating and maintenance information to identify recurring issues and improvement opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Placement and progression within the series are based on experience, required certifications, demonstrated competencies, equipment qualifications, and the ability to consistently perform the responsibilities of the applicable level.

Supervisory Responsibilities:  N/A

Travel – Local/Field Based Travel: This position requires regular travel within the County and nearby cities. Employees frequently travel to field sites, client locations, or other City buildings as part of their job duties. Access to a personal or City fleet vehicle may be required.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed primarily outdoors across a variety of raw water facilities and environments, including pump stations, reservoirs, ponds, canals, ditches, diversion structures, rights-of-way, and water conveyance systems, with occasional indoor work in pump stations, maintenance facilities, and office settings.

• Routinely exposed to varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, and adverse environmental conditions.

• The role involves operating and working around equipment such as tractors, mowers, loaders, pumps, utility vehicles, generators, and other maintenance equipment, with exposure to loud noise, vibration, dust, vegetation, mud, and water-related hazards.

• Duties require working near open water, canals, ponds, reservoirs, pump stations, pipelines, and moving water, requiring adherence to established safety protocols and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Work may involve exposure to biological hazards, insects, wildlife, chemicals used in vegetation management, and potentially contaminated water or materials.

• Work frequently requires navigating uneven terrain, embankments, drainageways, confined spaces, and remote locations while conducting inspections, maintenance, and operational activities.

• May be required to work extended shifts and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and emergency callouts as part of an on-call rotation to support water deliveries, flooding events, infrastructure failures, and other operational emergencies.

Physical Requirements:

• Mobility: Ability to walk, stand, and work on uneven terrain for extended periods, including along canals, ditches, reservoirs, ponds, embankments, and pump station sites. Ability to climb ladders, stairs, embankments, and equipment and regularly enter and exit vehicles and maintenance equipment.

• Strength: Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and move tools, materials, equipment, and maintenance supplies weighing up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 75 pounds occasionally, with assistance as needed.

• Endurance: Ability to perform physically demanding work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, snow, and wind. Ability to respond to emergency situations and work extended shifts during operational events or emergencies.

• Dexterity: Sufficient manual dexterity to safely operate hand tools, power tools, pumps, valves, controls, maintenance equipment, and vehicles. Ability to perform inspections, repairs, and routine maintenance requiring fine motor coordination.

• Flexibility: Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, reach overhead and below waist level, and maintain awkward positions while inspecting, maintaining, and repairing water infrastructure and equipment.

• Vision and Hearing: Adequate visual acuity to inspect infrastructure, read gauges, meters, instrumentation, maps, and operational records, and identify maintenance or safety concerns. Ability to hear verbal instructions, warning signals, alarms, radio communications, and equipment sounds in outdoor and operational environments.

EOE Statement: The City of Greeley provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

ADA Statement: We are committed to an inclusive and barrier-free search process. We provide accommodations for applicants requesting accommodation through the search process such as alternative formats of this posting.  Individuals with disabilities in need of accommodations throughout the search process should contact the ADA Coordinator at: HR@Greeleygov.com .

Conditions of Employment: The City of Greeley is an at-will employer. Employees and the City may terminate employment at any time for any reason.  Candidates must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings and employment eligibility verification. Pre-employment screenings include a drug test, a background and national sex offender search, a motor vehicle record search, and for some positions, a physical demands evaluation. For more information about City policies and practices during the recruitment process, including but not limited to EOE, Reasonable Accommodation, and pre-employment screenings, please visit our career page HERE.