Instrumentation Technician

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DEFINITION 
Under general supervision, performs skilled, technical work related to installing, troubleshooting, preventative and corrective maintenance, and repairing of metering, recording, and data logging, and control instrumentation, including electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electro-mechanical systems as found in the water and wastewater treatment plants, water wells, pump stations, water reservoirs and other Utilities related facilities; and performs related duties, as assigned.SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED 
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff. Exercises no direct supervision over staff.  
 
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS 
This is a journey-level classification responsible for performing work in the maintenance and repair of electronic and pneumatic systems and equipment found in the City’s water and wastewater treatment plants, water wells, pump stations, water reservoirs, and other Utilities related facilities.  Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Work is normally reviewed upon completion and for overall results.   This class is distinguished from the Electrician in that the latter performs skilled electrical work on City electrical equipment and systems, including the water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, sanitary and storm collections systems, wells, traffic signals, and streetlights.EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
 

• Inspects, installs, repairs, maintains, calibrates, tests, and troubleshoots electrical, mechanical, and other process instrumentation, such as indicators, recorders, flow meters, transmitters, transducers, electric motors, switches, panels, lines, controls, regulators, instrumentation equipment, valve actuators, and other equipment related to the City's water and wastewater operations. 
• Performs preventative maintenance, services and tests equipment, including communications and telemetry systems, SCADA, and PLC software and hardware, according to an established schedule; performs minor software adjustments. 
• Inspects facilities and equipment to determine the need for major maintenance or repair; develops and maintains a schedule for preventative maintenance of instrumentation equipment.
• Installs, troubleshoots, and repairs automated telemetry equipment including calibration of input sensors such as flow meters, level transducers, pressure transducers, and other monitoring equipment.
• Calibrates equipment and instruments on a routine schedule and after repairs; makes unscheduled or emergency repairs as required.
• Reads and interprets electrical and electronic schematics, mechanical and instrumentation drawings, instrument loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, and construction drawings necessary to install, service, and repair equipment in accordance with related regulations and vendor specifications.
• Uses and performs maintenance on a variety of tools, electrical, and electronic test equipment; calibrates equipment as required; assists in reading and calibrating gauges and meters used for process control.
• Assists in maintaining an inventory of materials, tools and supplies; requisitions materials as required.
• Maintains and calibrates critical equipment for facility safety, including fixed and portable as detectors, safety alarms, and the Chemical Scrubber system equipment.
• Confers with operations staff to determine equipment problems; suggests methods of minimizing such problems in an operational setting.
• Attends training and safety sessions as assigned; observes appropriate safety procedures and works to applicable codes and guidelines; makes appropriate use of related safety equipment as required.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS 

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and methods related to the electrical maintenance and repair of motors, switches, panels, lines, regulators, and related equipment and facilities used in the water and wastewater treatment facilities and the laboratory.
• Principles, practices, and methods related to the maintenance and repair of various data acquisition and control instrumentation.
• Telephone, telemetry, and SCADA equipment.
• Regulations pertaining to electrical and electronic installation, maintenance, and repairs.
• Electrical and electronic schematic diagrams.
• Principles of operation of water, wastewater, and laboratory systems.
• Principles of variable frequency drives motors, and control systems.
• The use and care of test equipment and hand and power tools common to the trade.
• Safety practices, procedures, and equipment pertaining to work in the industry, including working underground, in confined spaces, around high voltage, and around hazardous chemicals.
• Safe work methods and safety practices pertaining to the work.
• Applicable federal and state laws; City, department, and division regulations, codes, policies, and procedures. 
• Recordkeeping principles and procedures. 
• Business arithmetic techniques.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and City staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation.

 
Ability to:

• Inspect, operate, diagnose problems, and perform preventive maintenance and repair work on electronic meters and recording instruments and SCADA systems; take appropriate action when failures occur.
• Analyze work problems and make corrections that will facilitate the completion of assignments. 
• Read and interpret gauges and other recording devices and interpret the information as it relates to repair and maintenance activities. 
• Read and understand sketches, equipment manuals, schematic diagrams, construction drawings, and blueprints. 
• Safely and effectively use and operate hand tools, mechanical equipment, power tools, and equipment required for the work. 
• Perform a variety of support for engineering, fabricating, and design duties related to water and wastewater instrumentation systems construction, maintenance, and repair; interpret sketches and diagrams.
• Maintain manual and automated logs, records, parts inventory, reports, and charts. 
• Perform work in confined spaces, following required confined space entry procedures.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to work performed.
• Effectively represent the department and the City in meetings with governmental agencies; community groups; various business, professional, and regulatory organizations; and in meetings with individuals.
• Learn and understand the organization and operation of the City and of outside agencies as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. 

 
Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying.   A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
 
Equivalent to an associate degree in electronic sensory systems diagnosis, maintenance, repair and testing and three (3) years of technical electronics experience in the maintenance, installation and repair of electronic sensory control systems. 
 
Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver’s license upon appointment.
• Possession of a Grade I Water Distribution Operator certificate issued by the State Water Resources Control Board is highly desirable.
• May be required to complete National Incident Management System (NIMS) Training.

Salary : $88,357 - $107,399