Salary : $83,871.00 - $143,875.44 Annually
Location : City of Escondido, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 03776
Department: Utilities
Division: Wastewater Treatment Reclamation
Opening Date: 06/29/2026
Closing Date: 7/13/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Summary
Control Systems Technician I: $6,989 - $9,366/month
Control Systems Technician II: $7,526 - $10,086/month
Control Systems Technician III: $8,947 - $11,990/month
Under regular supervision (CST I), general supervision (CST II), or direction (CST III), performs a variety of skilled maintenance duties involved in the installation, repair, maintenance, and programming of instrumentation, electrical/electronic equipment, telemetry systems and equipment, and wiring in water and/or wastewater treatment plants, sewage lift stations, water distribution facilities, and hydro-electric plants.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Control Systems Technician I - This is the entry level class in the Control Systems Technician series. Positions at this level have prior experience in electrical construction, repair and maintenance in an industrial facility including some experience with instrumentation but are not expected to function with the same amount of program knowledge or skill level as positions allocated to the Control Systems Technician II level and exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Individuals at this level are expected to become fully knowledgeable of the assigned area, learn the full range of maintenance and repair functions, and learn to perform calibrations and verifications with software utilized by the control system. Certification as Grade 1 Plant Maintenance is required within 18 months.
Control Systems Technician II - This is the journey level class in the Control Systems Technician series. Positions at this level require demonstrated ability to perform complex troubleshoot of system equipment including PLCs, telemetry, human machine interface (HMI) programming and controls. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Control Systems Technician II level are normally filled by advancement from the Control Systems Technician I level. Positions at this level require two years of experience comparable to a CST I with the City of Escondido and certification as a Grade 2 Plant Maintenance Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist.
Control Systems Technician III - This is the advanced journey level class in the Control Systems Technician series. Positions at this level require demonstrated ability to perform the most advanced functions related to the maintenance and repair of equipment at all facilities, to perform complex troubleshooting of s PLCs and Wonderware programs, instrumentation, and electrical equipment and to provide instruction and assistance to users. Positions in this class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the Control Systems Technician III level are normally filled by advancement from the Control Systems Technician II level. Positions at this level require two years of experience comparable to a CST II with the City of Escondido and certification as a Grade 3 Plant Maintenance Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist.
Key Responsibilities
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.
Performs skilled electrical work in the maintenance, installation, and repair of electrical equipment and systems used in water and wastewater systems and facilities; tests, troubleshoot, locates, repairs and performs preventative maintenance on a variety of industrial electrical systems, components and devices; utilizes appropriate electrical testing equipment (e.g., voltmeters, amp probes, rotation meters, power loggers and megohmmeters.
Bends and installs conduits, wires and pull boxes, new lighting circuitry and fixtures, outlets, switches, relays, circuit breakers, power disconnects, circuit panels, automatic transfer switches, emergency generators and motor control centers; installs motors, controls and transformer; modifies motor control equipment circuits, planning, layout, and wiring the work.
Disconnects electrical sources (up to 12kv), uses lockout/tag out procedures and current OSHA requirements; reconnect and operates equipment at panel for maintenance purposes.
Performs specialized electronic PLC testing and diagnosis on computerized control systems and instrumentation
Installs, maintains, repairs, and calibrates all direct and remote instrumentation and related equipment required in pumping, metering, and treatment including audio tone links for telemetry and supervisory control, electromechanical and electronic transmitters and receivers, differential pressure producing flow meters, timers, and alarms.
Performs field maintenance, installation, and repair on switches, panels, motors, generators, light and power circuits, telemetry equipment, measuring devices, flow transmitters, timers, alarms, and other related devices.
Checks, repairs, and calibrates pneumatic controls and instrumentation; maintains records of calibrations.
Performs preventive maintenance at all facilities; tests for defects; removes, replaces, and repairs worn or deficit wiring outlets and fixtures; interacts with Operators to ensure equipment is fully operational; trains Operators in the electrical portions of equipment.
Learns and applies various programming languages necessary for utilizing the SCADA system including programming PLCs (programmable logic controllers) and the software (Wonderware) that is used as an interface.
Specifies, programs, diagnoses, repairs, and tunes Distributed Control Systems, Programmable Logic Controllers, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System, and Computer Based Monitoring and Controls System.
Reviews blueprints and works with engineers and contractors on various aspects of the plant upgrade; provides recommendations for changes or additions; designs systems; plans electrical installations; builds special electrical and electronic equipment.
Trouble shoots new equipment and works with appropriate vendors to learn functionality and how to maintain and repair.
Maintains records of calibrations, instrument repair and parts inventory; orders parts as necessary.
Specifies, installs, diagnoses, and repairs office information systems.
Performs related duties as required.
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:
Basic theories, fundamentals, and principles of electricity and electronics related to the repair and operation of power devices, pump motors, switching equipment, process control instrumentation, and tone and digital telemetry.
Methods, materials, tools, and testing equipment used in the installation, maintenance, servicing, calibration, repair, and programming of electrical and electronic equipment used in water and/or wastewater treatment plants, sewage lift stations, water distribution facilities, and hydro-electric plants.
Methods, tools, and equipment used in the maintenance and repair of communications, computing, and telemetry equipment used in pumping and treatment facilities including PLC's, SCADA, WAN, LAN, and telemetry systems.
National Electric Code.
National Fire Prevention Association 70E- Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.
Radio telemetry principles.
Computer and microprocessor operation and applications.
Process control hardware and software.
Cathodic protection systems.
Sophisticated and complex instrumentation and equipment.
Principles and practices of customer service.
Laws, rules, codes, and regulations relating to electrical system and electronic maintenance and repair work.
Design and installation principles related to electrical/instrumentation equipment.
Electrical and electronic schematic diagrams and blueprints.
Time, materials, and labor cost estimating for maintenance and repair projects.
Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
Principles and procedures of record keeping.
Ability to:
Perform a variety of specialized work assignments requiring substantial skill and knowledge of electrical and electronic systems.
Install, maintain, repair, modify, and operate electrical/electronic systems.
Inspect, detect problems, troubleshoot, and take appropriate action to correct electrical and electronic failures and faults.
Calibrate and test a variety of systems and instruments including hazardous gas monitoring instruments.
Evaluate new technologies applicable to the facilities.
Design and install new electrical/instrumentation equipment and PLC control systems.
Perform PLC and SCADA programming, troubleshooting, and repair.
Skillfully use the tools and testing equipment required for electrical and electronic repair work.
Read and interpret a variety of charts and gauges.
Perform strenuous manual labor, often exposed to difficult and hazardous conditions.
Prepare cost estimates and estimates of materials and equipment needs.
Maintain detailed records and prepare clear and concise reports.
Read, interpret, understand, and work from plans, schematics, technical manuals, diagrams, blueprints and drawings.
Analyze work problems and make corrections that will facilitate the completion of assignments.
Work cooperatively with others.
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Minimum Requirements
Control Systems Technician I/II/III
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work or trade school training in electrical, electronics, or instrumentation technology or a related field.
A California Electrical Journeyman License is highly desirable.
Control Systems Technician I
Experience:
Four years (full-time equivalent) of experience in electrical repair and maintenance in an industrial facility including some experience with instrumentation. Experience with computers is desirable.
One additional year (full-time equivalent) of experience may be substituted for the required college level course work or trade school training in electrical, electronics, or instrumentation technology or a related field.
License or Certificate:
Possession of, or ability to obtain within eighteen months of appointment, certification as Grade I Plant Maintenance issued by the CWEA.
Possession of an appropriate, valid California Driver's License.
Control Systems Technician II
Experience:
Two years (full-time equivalent) of experience comparable to a Control Systems Technician I with the City of Escondido.
License or Certificate:
Possession of certification as a Grade 2 Plant Maintenance Electrical/ Instrumentation Technologist.
Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Control Systems Technician III
Experience:
Two years (full-time equivalent) of experience comparable to a Control Systems Technician II with the City of Escondido.
License or Certificate:
Possession of certification as a Grade 3 Plant Maintenance Electrical/ Instrumentation Technologist. Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
Supplemental Information
NOTE: For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site.
