Salary : $64,507.00 - $100,066.00 Annually
Location : 1600 Mist Lake Dr., Durham, NC
Job Type: Full time with benefits
Job Number: 26-06204
Department: Water Management
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 12/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Position DescriptionThe purpose of this position is to supervise instrumentation technicians in the Plant Engineering and Maintenance (PEM) division. This position reports to the SCADA Manager and works closely with SCADA staff to keep field instrumentation and control system programming aligned across all water and wastewater treatment facilities and pump stations. This is accomplished by performing quality control inspections of completed assignments, providing continuous feedback to staff, performing periodic walk-through inspections, ordering inventory, holding daily meetings, and reviewing and suggesting planned plant upgrades. Other duties include maintenance of plant and pump station process systems, reviewing the budget for inventory, designing and installing equipment upgrades, and training assigned staff on new and existing equipment.
Duties/Responsibilities - Maintains supervision of instrumentation technicians by prioritizing and issuing daily activities; evaluates job quality; provides feedback; reviews work orders; identifies employee needs for additional training; performs employee evaluations; and recommends personnel decisions to division management.
- Ensures plant instrumentation and control systems are in optimal operational condition by performing periodic inspections, calibrations, and corrective actions; provides job status to plant supervision; recommends upgrades to out-of-date equipment; and coordinates with assigned staff to help complete tasks.
- Administers additional duties when assigned by management, such as interviewing applicants and training personnel on new and existing equipment.
- Troubleshoots, maintains, and supports PLC and HMI control systems (Rockwell ControlLogix/Studio 5000 environment), field instrumentation, including process analyzers (chlorine, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia), flow meters, and level and pressure transmitters.
- Coordinates with the SCADA group on control logic, setpoint, and configuration changes through a documented change-control process so field repairs and SCADA programming remain consistent.
- Ensures compliance-related instruments are calibrated on schedule to support NPDES permit and drinking water reporting requirements; maintains traceable, audit-ready calibration records.
- Manages instrumentation work orders, preventive maintenance schedules, and asset data in the NexGen CMMS; monitors PM compliance and backlog and reports on crew performance.
- Enforces safe work practices, including NFPA 70E electrical safety and arc flash requirements, lockout/tagout, and confined space entry; ensures staff are trained and equipped for safe work.
- Participates in capital projects by reviewing instrumentation and controls submittals, attending factory and site acceptance testing (FAT/SAT), and supporting commissioning and startup of new equipment.
- Oversees contractors, integrators, and vendors performing instrumentation and controls work. Verifies work is complete and meets specifications before sign-off.
- Maintains accurate technical documentation, including loop drawings, P&IDs, instrument data sheets, and as-built records.
- Must be available to respond to after-hours emergencies; coordinates restoration of critical instrumentation and controls with plant operations.
Minimum Qualifications & Experience - Associate degree (AAS) in Electrical Systems Technology, Industrial Systems Technology, Facility Maintenance Technology, or a related program
- Four (4) years of related experience in industrial or municipal instrumentation and controls, including at least two years in a lead or supervisory capacity
- A valid North Carolina Class C Driver's license with a satisfactory driving record, and license obtained within the time-frame specified by the City.
- Experience working with and programming proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers used in automation operations.
- Additional on-the-job and/or safety-related certifications may be required by the City.
Additional Preferred Skills - ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST)
- Rockwell Automation Studio 5000 training or certification
- Experience with a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS)
- Experience in a water or wastewater treatment environment
Benefits - General Full-Time Employees - 12-13 paid holidays per year
- 13 standard work days of vacation per year
- 13 standard work days of sick leave per year, which accumulates indefinitely; sick leave may be used toward early retirement
- 2 weeks paid military leave per year
- Medical, dental, vision, and supplemental life insurance plans
- State and City retirement plans
- Short and long term disability plans
- Paid temporary disability leave for specified conditions
- City contribution of 13.6% into the N.C. State Retirement System
- Paid funeral leave
- Employee Assistance Program - personal and family counseling
- Paid life insurance equal to annual salary
- 48 hours for volunteer work each year*
- 4 hours parental leave each year
- Workman's Compensation Insurance
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plans
Benefits - Part-Time (1,000 hours or more per year) - 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan
Benefits Part-Time (Average 30 hours per week over 12 month period) - 401(k) retirement plan (5.0% of salary)
- State retirement plan effective first day of the month following date of hire
- Health insurance effective first day of the month following date of hire
- Dental and life insurance, after one year of service
- Pro-rated vacation, pro-rated sick, pro-rated floating holiday, parttime holiday pay (based on scheduled hours for that day) after one year of service
01
Where did you first hear about this opportunity?
- City of Durham Website
- Walk in
- Job fair
- Employee referral
- Professional organization ***Please list the organization in "other" box below***
- Internet posting ***Please list the specific web site in the "other" box below***
- Craig's List
- Facebook
- LinkedIn
- GlassDoor
- governmentjobs.com
- Monster.com
- Indeed.com
- Employment Security Commission
- Magazine/Newspaper
- Other
02
If you listed "other" above please give specific web site, organization, or publication.
03
Please select your highest level of COMPLETED education.
- Less than a High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
- High School Diploma or Equivalent (GED, HiSET, TASC)
- Associates Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree
- Doctoral Degree (PhD, Juris Doctorate)
04
Do you have a valid, unrestricted, North Carolina driver's license? (If you have a valid license from a State other than North Carolina, you must be willing and able to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days of hire).
- I have a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license.
- I have a valid license from another State and I am willing to obtain a valid, unrestricted NC driver's license within 60 days.
- I do not have a valid, unrestricted driver's license.
05
How many years of related experience do you have?
- No related experience
- Less than 1 year of related experience
- 1 year but less than 4 years of related experience
- 4 years but less than 8 years of related experience
- 8 or more years of related experience
06
How many years of experience do you have in a supervisory/management capacity including as a team lead or acting?
- No supervisory experience
- Some supervisory experience but less than 1 year
- 1 year experience but less than 2 years
- 2 years experience but less than 6 years
- 6 or more years supervisory experience
07
Are you available for calls after hours and to return for emergency designated work?
08
Do you have experience with and are able to utilize a CMMS system to create and track work orders, manage assets, schedule preventative maintenance, and coordinate procurement?
09
Do you have experience with calibration and/or certification program with various instrumentation, including but not limited to; analyzers, pressure, flow, actuators, level, and temperature?
Required Question
