Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Apprentice

At PIC Group, Inc., our emphasis is on excellence. We recruit the strongest candidates in the power generation industry. As a global service provider, we continually seek talented individuals.

Title: Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Apprentice

Position Type: Direct Hire

Location: South Boston, VA

Reports to: Maintenance Manager

Status: Non-Exempt

Job Summary

PIC Group is seeking an Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Apprentice to join our team at a power generation facility in South Boston, VA. The I&C Apprentice will assist in the maintenance, troubleshooting, and operation of electrical, instrumentation, and control systems critical to plant operations. This hands-on role is designed for individuals eager to develop their technical expertise in plant systems, including calibration, diagnostics, and repair. Under the guidance of the Maintenance Manager, the Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Apprentice will gain practical experience with industry-standard tools, regulatory compliance practices, and safety protocols. This apprenticeship program provides a clear pathway to becoming a fully qualified I&C Technician, with a strong focus on operational excellence and safety.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Perform maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of plant field instrumentation, controls, and electrical equipment to ensure optimal operation.
• Establish and implement a precise plant instrumentation calibration program, maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Execute preventive and predictive maintenance tasks as assigned, collecting and analyzing trended data on equipment to support reliability and performance improvements.
• Take primary responsibility for field instrumentation, calibration, control valves, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and steam turbine control systems, as designated by the Maintenance Manager.
• Maintain, evaluate, and recommend improvements to the plant spare parts inventory, monitoring usage and reordering to ensure availability.
• Service and maintain plant equipment following vendor recommendations and established plant procedures.
• Troubleshoot plant logic and control schemes using drawings, diagrams, and system descriptions to diagnose and resolve issues effectively.
• Respond promptly to plant operating emergencies, ensuring continuity of operations and safety.
• Interface with contractors and vendors to support maintenance, repair, and commissioning activities.
• Communicate regularly with the Control Room Operator (CRO) regarding maintenance activities, equipment conditions, and plant performance.
• Perform inspections, assembly, disassembly, repair, and adjustments on motors, generators, transformers, switches, and control equipment.
• Complete assigned work orders accurately and within established deadlines.
• Operate plant equipment, including trucks, cranes, and forklifts, following proper safety procedures.
• Maintain Continuous Emissions Monitoring (CEM) equipment in compliance with regulatory calibration, record-keeping, and reporting requirements.
• Ensure plant areas are free of oil and debris, maintaining walkways, entrances, and access points in a safe condition.
• Practice and enforce Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, adhering to all company safety protocols.
• Contribute to the administrative maintenance of plant manuals, technical references, drawings, and preventive maintenance records.
• Collaborate with the Operations Manager on instrument and control activities related to plant operations.
• Foster positive relationships with internal personnel and external contractors to ensure efficient and harmonious plant operations.
  
  

Job Requirements

• Knowledge of power plant equipment, including motors, pumps, boilers, turbines, generators, cooling towers, pollution control systems, AC/DC electrical systems, and control systems.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings, such as P&IDs, single-line diagrams, schematics, and logics.
• Familiarity with the principles of mathematics, AC/DC electrical theory, thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid flow, and chemistry.
• Understanding of power plant safety standards, including chemical handling, high-energy systems, confined spaces, rotating machinery, and incipient fire suppression.
• Ability to follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and OSHA standards to maintain a safe work environment.
  
  

Education / Experience

• Associate’s degree in electrical, electronic, or mechanical engineering or equivalent
• 2 years’ work experience as a technician in a related industry desirable
  
  

PIC Group, Inc. offers competitive wages and benefits. We seek out and employ talented individuals who meet the qualifications for each position. Due to the large number of responses we receive to our postings, only those applicants with the required experience and qualifications will be contacted. PIC Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.