Instrumentation Technician I

City of Oceanside, CA

$84K — $113K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of experience in instrumentation and control systems maintenance and installation.
  • Knowledge of electrical equipment and instrumentation in water and wastewater facilities.
  • Proficiency in preventive maintenance programs and record keeping for electronic equipment.
  • Understanding electronic and telemetering principles.
  • Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and blueprints.

Responsibilities

  • Design, assemble, install, and repair instrumentation and SCADA systems.
  • Diagnose and troubleshoot malfunctioning systems and equipment.
  • Perform preventive maintenance on pump control panels and maintain calibration logs.
  • Assist engineers on new projects and order necessary supplies.
  • Interpret and analyze trends from historical data.
  • Modify and implement software programs for data logging and control.

Benefits

  • Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) with options to purchase additional retirement credits.
  • Comprehensive health insurance options including medical, dental, and vision.
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with free counseling visits.
  • Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance premiums paid by the City.
  • Tuition reimbursement up to $2,000 per fiscal year.
Full Job Description
Salary : $84,948.00 - $113,736.00 Annually
Location : Oceanside, CA, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 26-104
Department: Water Utilities
Opening Date: 06/25/2026
Closing Date: 7/26/2026 1:15 PM Pacific

Examples of Duties
The Instrumentation Technician I designs, assembles, installs and repairs instrumentation and SCADA systems, equipment, and components in the field and in the shop; installs and repairs PLC and IO modules, control panels, transmitters, limit switches, and electronic pressure level sensors; diagnoses, troubleshoots, updates, and repairs malfunctioning systems and equipment, calibration problems and other measuring, recording, and transmitting device failures; ensures safe and reliable power to all process instruments; cleans, lubricates, and changes component parts; performs preventive maintenance on pump control panels; maintains calibration logs and writes reports; interprets and designs applicable computer software; modifies and implements computer software programs for data logging and control; maintains preventive operations records; blueprints, schematics and diagrams for a variety of water and wastewater systems; assists engineers on new projects; orders supplies and materials; interprets and analyzes trends and reports produced from historical data; and performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of:
  • Operating principles and maintenance requirements of electrical equipment and instrumentation associated with water and wastewater facilities.
  • Programs for preventive maintenance and record keeping on electronic equipment and instrumentation.
  • Electronic and telemetering principles and practices.
  • General principles and methods of water and wastewater facility monitoring and control.
  • Principles and practices of instrumentation and calibration of process monitoring and control equipment.
  • Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.
  • Modern office procedures, methods and equipment including computers and applicable software applications.
  • Principles and procedures of record keeping.

Ability to:
  • Install, modify and repair equipment related to electronics, instrumentation control, telemetry and telecommunications.
  • Calibrate and test a variety of systems designed to monitor and control treatment plant processes.
  • Monitor and maintain the accuracy of calibration standards and equipment.
  • Read, interpret and understand plans, schematics, technical manuals, diagrams, blueprints and drawings associated with water and wastewater systems.
  • Assemble and install field and plant SCADA equipment.
  • Plan and execute repair, maintenance, and installation of process monitoring and control equipment.
  • Maintain detailed records and prepare clear and concise reports.
  • Work independently and efficiently to carry out assignments.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Experience and Training

Experience: A minimum of three years of increasingly responsible experience in the maintenance, repair and installation of instrumentation systems.
Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by college level course work in electronics or a related field.

License or Certificate:
  • Possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
  • Possession of California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist II certificate within 24 months of hire date is required.

As a condition of employment, candidates must obtain a California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist II certificate within 24 months of hire date.
Internal candidates: Failing to obtain the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist II certificate within 24 months of hire date will be reverted to their previous classification without right of appeal.
External candidates: Failing to obtain the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist II certificate within 24 months of hire date will be terminated without right of appeal.
Working Conditions and Selection Process
Environmental Conditions: Office and field environment; travel from site to site; exposure to noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, electrical energy, toxic materials, and inclement weather conditions; work in or with water.

Physical Conditions: Essential functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for standing, walking, sitting, kneeling or bending for prolonged periods of time; heavy, moderate or light lifting.

Selection Process: All properly completed applications will be reviewed and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process. Failure to provide all required application materials will result in disqualification from the selection process. The process may include any combination of a written exam, oral exam, and/or skills assessment to further evaluate job-related qualifications. Candidates who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the Eligibility List for a minimum of six months.

Note: Prospective employees will undergo, and must successfully pass, a background reference check (including fingerprinting), and a medical examination. Drug screening may be required.
RÉSUMÉS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF COMPLETED APPLICATION FORMS, BUT MAY BE ATTACHED.

CANDIDATES WHO REQUIRE A REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION IN THE SELECTION PROCESS SHOULD STATE THEIR NEEDS IN WRITING WHEN SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION.

Benefit Summary

The following is a highlight of benefits
Retirement
Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
  • Employees hired after January 1, 2013 are subject to the State laws of PEPRA in regard to retirement benefits. Each individual's benefits may differ. Consult with Employee Benefits for further details.
  • Third Level 1959 Survivor Credit
  • Survivor Continuation option

Additional Retirement Credit Purchase Options
  • Buy additional Service Retirement Credit prior to membership
  • Service Credit for unused Sick Leave
  • Buy additional Military Service Credit

Health Insurance

Medical/Vision: (First of the month following 60 days)
  • Kaiser plan provided through Teamster Medical Trust. For more information please contact #877-214-8928


Dental: (First of the Month following hire)
  • Delta Preferred Option (DPO)
  • Delta Care USA (DHMO)


Pre-Tax Benefits

Health benefits are offered on a pre-tax basis and employees cannot add or delete coverage or benefits unless a qualifying event has occurred.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Anthem EAP is paid for by the City.
  • Available to all members of your household
  • 6 free confidential counseling visits per incident
  • Self-service support online or by phone


Disability and Life Insurances

The STD/LTD/LIFE and AD&D Lincoln Financial premiums are paid for by City.
Short-Term Disability (STD) Insurance:
  • First 90 days - benefits paid at 55% of weekly salary to a maximum weekly benefit of $700 for non-work related disability only
  • Seven day waiting period unless hospitalized
  • All sick leave must be exhausted before STD is used

Long-Term Disability Insurance:
  • After 90 days - benefits paid at 66.7% of monthly salary to a maximum monthly benefit of $6,000 for any disability

Life and AD&D Insurance:
  • 1 times annual base salary; minimum of $30,000 and maximum of $200,000 of Basic Life and AD&D

Voluntary Benefits

Benefits are employee paid.
Supplemental Life Insurance through Lincoln Financial:
  • Premiums are determined by age
  • Purchased up to a maximum $500,000 for employees
  • Spousal coverage up to the employee amount
  • Dependent coverage up to $10,000

Flexible Spending Accounts through BCC:
  • Utilizes a debit card as a form of payment
  • Health Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $3,400
  • Dependent Care Spending Account - maximum annual deferral is $7,500

Deferred Compensation - 457 through Empower:

  • 457 - Maximum annual pre/post-taxed amount is $24,500 for 2026; over age 50 may contribute an additional $8,000


MetLife Legal Plan
  • Telephone and office consultations are available for an unlimited number for personal legal matters with an attorney of your choice.


GotZoom Student Loan Relief
  • Provides a no-obligation benefit analysis for federal student loans to identify, maximize and enroll employees into Federal Loan Repayment and Forgiveness Programs.

ScholarShare 529
  • An easy to manage plan that helps make the most of your or a designated beneficiary's college savings with tax benefits.

Tuition Reimbursement

Up to $2,000 per fiscal year

Leave Benefits
Vacation:

1 - 5 years: 3.58 hours
6 - 10 years: 5.12 hours
11 - 15 years: 6.65 hours
16 + years: 8.19
Maximum accrual:
  • 360 hours for those hired before 7/1/95
  • 300 hours for those hired 7/1/95 or after

Holidays:
  • New Years' Day
  • Martin Luther King Jr Day
  • Memorial Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Veterans' Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Friday after Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • 48 hours Floating Holidays per fiscal year

Sick Leave:
Accrual: 12 days per year

Max accrual: Unlimited
Annual Sick Leave Pay Off:

Each calendar year an employee may elect to receive a 50% payment in lieu of accrued sick leave provided such employee has used 3 work days (maximum of 36 hours) or less of sick leave during the calendar year and has a minimum of 100 hours in their sick leave bank prior to the cash out request.
Sick Leave pay off at separation:
  • Sick leave paid out depends on years of service and whether an employee retires or terminates

Bereavement Leave:
  • Three days for death of employee's immediate family member
  • Two additional days may be charged to sick leave upon approval


Certification Pay

The City will provide certification pay up to $1.00 per hour for employees utilizing designated certifications in the performance of their duties.

Bilingual and Notary Pay
Bilingual: $1.73 per hour for eligible employees

Notary: $.58 per hour for eligible employees

Uniforms

The City will provide uniforms for any employee required by the City to wear such uniform in the course of their regular job duties.

Commercial Driver License
The City will reimburse the application cost of Commercial Class A or B Driver License to full-time employees in certain classifications.

Safety Shoes
The City will provide reimbursement up to $200 towards the purchase price of safety shoes to employees who are required to wear such shoes on the job.

Term of Compensation Plan
Effective July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026
This is a summary of available benefits. It is not intended to provide full details of all programs. The appropriate Memorandum of Understanding, Compensation Plan and/or Benefit Plan Documents will govern any discrepancies and provide program

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