Job DescriptionAnticipated Hiring Range:$35.37 - $45.71 Hourly
Full Salary Range:$35.37 - $51.29 Hourly
Job Summary:The Water Instrument Technician reports to the Instrumentation and Electrical Supervisor and is responsible for installing, maintaining, calibrating, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical, electronic, pneumatic, instrumentation, and automated control systems supporting the City's water and wastewater infrastructure.
The position supports operations across reservoirs, water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, distribution systems, and lift stations, with work performed primarily at the wastewater treatment facility and associated lift stations. Responsibilities include maintaining programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, variable-frequency drives (VFDs), control panels, instrumentation, and related electrical equipment. The position requires strong technical troubleshooting skills, independent judgment, and collaboration with operations, maintenance, engineering, and other technical personnel to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient system performance.
Experience, Education, and Skills:Minimum Requirements:- Associate degree in electrical technology, electronics, instrumentation, industrial automation, or a closely related field; or completion of a comparable technical certification or apprenticeship program.
- Two (2) years of experience installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, or repairing industrial electrical, instrumentation, or automated control systems.
- Experience with electrical control circuits, instrumentation calibration, PLCs, SCADA systems, or industrial automation equipment.
OR
Any combination of related education, experience, certifications and licenses that will result in a candidate successfully performing the essential functions of the job,
AND
- Possession of a valid driver's license.
Preferred:- Three (3) to five (5) years of experience with industrial electrical, electronic instrumentation, or automated control systems.
- Experience supporting water or wastewater treatment facilities, lift stations, or municipal utility infrastructure.
- Experience programming, configuring, or troubleshooting PLCs, including Allen-Bradley systems.
- Experience with SCADA systems, industrial networking, fiber-optic communications, and Ethernet/IP radio systems.
- Journeyman Electrician license or relevant instrumentation and controls certification.
- Experience with ladder logic, digital controls, and variable-frequency drives.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:- Knowledge of industrial electrical systems, instrumentation, process controls, and automated equipment.
- Knowledge of PLCs, SCADA systems, control logic, and industrial communication networks.
- Knowledge of electrical systems and equipment operating at voltages up to 480 volts.
- Knowledge of applicable electrical and safety standards, including the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA standards, and relevant instrumentation industry standards.
- Knowledge of electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control drawings, and technical specifications.
- Knowledge of instrumentation calibration, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting methods.
- Ability to diagnose and resolve complex electrical, electronic, mechanical, and control system malfunctions.
- Ability to safely operate electrical testing equipment, hand tools, power tools, and specialized diagnostic instruments.
- Ability to identify operational risks and apply appropriate safety procedures, including electrical safety and lockout/tagout requirements.
- Ability to independently prioritize assignments, exercise sound technical judgment, and respond effectively to equipment failures.
- Ability to communicate technical information and recommendations clearly to operators, supervisors, and other personnel.
- Ability to maintain accurate maintenance records, technical documentation, and standard operating procedures.
- Ability to use computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), Microsoft Office applications, and related software.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships and collaborate across technical and operational teams.
Essential Functions:Electrical and Instrumentation Maintenance
- Installs, inspects, maintains, calibrates, troubleshoots, and repairs electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and instrumentation systems supporting water and wastewater operations.
- Diagnoses and repairs discrete and analog control circuits, including 4-20 mA instrumentation and related signal systems.
- Maintains and repairs electrical components, including motors, motor starters, breakers, fuses, relays, switches, control panels, and related equipment.
- Installs, configures, maintains, and troubleshoots variable-frequency drives and associated motor control systems.
- Performs preventive and corrective maintenance to ensure the reliability and accuracy of process instrumentation and control equipment.
- Uses electrical testing and diagnostic equipment to identify system deficiencies and verify proper operation.
Automation and Control Systems
- Installs, maintains, and troubleshoots PLCs, SCADA systems, remote monitoring equipment, and automated process controls.
- Assists with PLC programming, control logic modifications, software updates, and system configuration within established authorization and change-control procedures.
- Troubleshoots communication networks, including fiber-optic, Ethernet/IP, and radio communication systems.
- Supports automated controls for chemical feed systems, pumps, valves, tank levels, alarms, and other treatment and distribution processes.
- Coordinates with operations and technical personnel to diagnose system failures, restore functionality, and minimize operational disruptions.
Installation and System Improvements
- Fabricates, installs, modifies, and repairs electrical and instrumentation systems, including conduit, wiring, control panels, load centers, transfer switches, and associated equipment.
- Reads and interprets electrical drawings, control schematics, equipment manuals, and technical specifications.
- Assists with equipment upgrades, system improvements, commissioning, and testing of new or modified control systems.
- Identifies recurring equipment issues and recommends improvements to reliability, efficiency, and system performance.
- Coordinates assigned work with operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and other affected personnel.
Safety, Documentation, and Operational Support
- Performs work in accordance with applicable electrical codes, safety regulations, City policies, and established operating procedures.
- Follows electrical safety, lockout/tagout, confined space, and other applicable hazard-control procedures.
- Maintains accurate work orders, calibration records, maintenance histories, and equipment documentation.
- Plans and schedules preventive maintenance and assigned repairs using the City's work order management system.
- Communicates equipment deficiencies, safety concerns, and operational risks to appropriate personnel.
- Responds to equipment malfunctions and operational emergencies as assigned, including work outside normal business hours when required.
- Participates in a rotating on-call schedule and responds to after-hours service needs, emergencies, and operational issues as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities: N/A
Travel - Standard Local Travel: This position requires occasional local travel within the County. Employees may be expected to walk or drive short distances to attend meetings, trainings, or perform work at other city buildings or partner sites.
Work Environment:- Work is performed primarily in field and industrial treatment environments (85%), with some office-based work (15%).
- Exposure to electrical systems up to 480 volts, industrial machinery, moving equipment, mechanical hazards, and potentially hazardous processes.
- Exposure to chemicals, wastewater, biological hazards, confined spaces, and varying levels of machinery noise.
- Exposure to adverse weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, wind, precipitation, and humidity.
- Work may be performed on uneven, wet, slippery, or elevated surfaces and in areas requiring specialized safety precautions.
- Required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including electrical protective equipment, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and other specialized equipment.
- Frequent interaction with operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and other City personnel.
- May work independently or collaboratively in field and industrial environments.
- May be required to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, or respond to operational emergencies.
Physical Requirements:- Mobility: Sufficient mobility to navigate treatment facilities, lift stations, mechanical rooms, confined spaces, uneven terrain, and elevated work areas, including climbing stairs and ladders.
- Strength: Sufficient strength to lift, carry, push, and pull tools, equipment, and materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Stamina: Sufficient stamina to stand, walk, climb, bend, stoop, kneel, and perform physically demanding maintenance activities for extended periods.
- Manual Dexterity: Sufficient manual dexterity to operate hand and power tools, electrical testing equipment, computers, and specialized instrumentation; perform detailed wiring, calibration, and repair work.
- Visual Acuity: Sufficient visual acuity to read electrical schematics, interpret instrument displays, identify wiring and equipment components, inspect small parts, and perform precise technical work.
- Hearing: Sufficient hearing ability to communicate effectively, identify equipment sounds, and recognize audible alarms and warning signals.
- Flexibility: Sufficient flexibility to bend, twist, reach, crouch, kneel, and work in restricted or awkward positions while accessing, installing, and repairing equipment.
