Central Maintenance Automation Specialist

City of Ocala, FL; Ocala (FL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Ocala, FL is seeking a technically skilled maintenance specialist to uphold and repair electrical, mechanical, and automation systems in lift stations and water/wastewater facilities.

You will diagnose issues across electrical and instrumentation domains, troubleshoot PLC and SCADA logic, and perform preventive and corrective maintenance. Field work is required, with after-hours on-call rotations and budget involvement.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED; technical training preferred or equivalent experience.
• Two years of hands-on experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical and mechanical equipment.
• Experience with lift stations, water/wastewater facilities, or similar industrial environments.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC ladder logic and control systems.
• Experience with SCADA and industrial automation systems.
• Knowledge of electrical control circuits and related schematics/diagrams.
• Experience with meters, diagnostic equipment, and testing instruments.
• Ability to use computers for maintenance management, monitoring, and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Install, test, modify, and troubleshoot SCADA systems and PLC logic.
• Work with control panels, motors, pumps, flow meters, and instrumentation.
• Diagnose electrical, mechanical, controls, communications, and network issues.
• Make software and logic changes and verify proper operation.
• Maintain and repair lift stations and related equipment.
• Coordinate with vendors and technical support personnel.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance, including emergency repairs.
• Be available for after-hours emergencies and rotating on-call.
• Help develop annual budget and monitor spending.
• Drive company vehicles for field work and equipment maintenance.

Skills

SCADA & PLC programming

Industrial electrical & electronics

Troubleshooting

Testing & diagnostic equipment

Computer skills

Technical knowledge: water/wastewater

Education

High school diploma or GED

Vocational/technical training in electrical, mechanical, automation, instrumentation, controls

Tools

SCADA software

PLC hardware/logic

Ladder logic interpretation

Job description

This is a technical position responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and servicing of mechanical and electrical equipment used in lift stations and water/wastewater treatment facilities. Equipment includes valves, controllers, metering and instrumentation systems, PLC-driven equipment, and related automated control systems.

The position requires the ability to diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and automation-related issues to ensure reliable and efficient operation of facility equipment and processes.

This position reports to the Central Maintenance Senior Automation Specialist.

• 1. SCADA & PLC programming: Install, test, modify, and troubleshoot SCADA systems and PLC logic.
• 2. Industrial electrical/electronics: Work with control panels, electronic hardware, motors, pumps, flow meters, and instrumentation.
• 3. Troubleshooting: Diagnose electrical, mechanical, controls, communications, and network problems.
• 4. Programming/testing: Make software and logic changes and verify that equipment operates correctly.
• 5. Water/wastewater equipment: Maintain and repair lift stations, pumps, motors, meters, sampling equipment, and related systems.
• 6. Vendor coordination: Communicate with equipment manufacturers, contractors, and technical support personnel.
• 7. Preventive/corrective maintenance: Perform scheduled maintenance as well as emergency repairs.
• 8. On-call work: Be available for after-hours emergencies and rotating call-outs.
• 9. Administrative responsibility: Help develop the annual budget and monitor spending.
• 10. Field work: Drive company vehicles and maintain/clean them as required.

2. Works on the “Lucity” work order maintenance program which is used to track all work done on the system.

Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Education: High school diploma or GED required. Vocational or technical training in electrical, mechanical, industrial automation, instrumentation, controls, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
• 2. Maintenance Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of hands‑on experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical and mechanical equipment, preferably in lift stations, water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, effluent disposal sites, or comparable industrial facilities.
• 3. Water/Wastewater Equipment: A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with equipment commonly found in lift stations, water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, or similar facilities.
• 4. PLC Troubleshooting: Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and interpreting PLC ladder logic, including identifying control system faults and assisting with corrective actions.
• 5. Electrical Troubleshooting: Experience troubleshooting electrical control circuits using ladder diagrams, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and related technical documentation.
• 6. SCADA and Automation: A minimum of two (2) years of experience with the implementation, troubleshooting, testing, and maintenance of SCADA and industrial automation systems.
• 7. Testing and Diagnostic Equipment: Working knowledge of electrical and electronic meters, diagnostic equipment, and testing instruments used to troubleshoot, test, and maintain electrical and control systems.
• 8. Computer Skills: Ability to use computers and relevant software applications for maintenance management, equipment monitoring, SCADA/automation systems, record‑keeping, documentation, and facility operations.
• 9. Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, control, and automation systems and their application in water and wastewater treatment operations.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Must possess a CDL Learners Permit before hiring date
• Within six (6) months obtain a Florida CDL Driver's License Class “B” with an acceptable driving record and required endorsement for tank vehicles (N).

PREFERRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Ability to obtain a Class “B” Wastewater Collection Certification and a Distribution 2 (D-2) License, Backflow Testing and Repair License in accordance with department scheduling requirements.

Residency Requirement

• Must reside within 45 minutes of City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue) using Map Quest.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position will directly supervise 0 employees. This position may indirectly supervise 1 employees. If applicable, supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING MODERATELY DIRECTED.

Activities covered by wide-ranging policies and courses of action and generally directed as to execution and review.

PLANNING

With regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner and/or sequence of performance of own work. CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY; in addition, the organization and delegation of work operations for a Group of employees engaged in Widely diversified activities.

DECISION MAKING

Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision‑making of minor importance. FREQUENTLY; Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision‑making of major importance. FREQUENTLY;

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and policy/procedure manuals; Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane, algebra, solid geometry and trigonometry.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal, logical or scientific symbolism such as formulas, scientific equations, and graphs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Under general direction, WORKING FROM POLICIES AND GENERAL DIRECTIVES. RARELY REFERS SPECIFIC CASES TO supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization’s policy is required.

MENTAL DEMAND

HIGHLY INTENSE; Continual involvement with strategic and operational management functions which relate to both the short-term and long-term time periods.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTER

Computer senior software programming, debug problem detection, database analyst II, network development, and senior project manager.

ACCURACY

Probably errors would normally not be detected in succeeding operations and would definitely have serious effects in relationships with patrons and/or with the operations of other segments of the organization.

PUBLIC CONTACT

Regular contacts with patrons initiated by the employee. Involves furnishing and obtaining information and, attempting to influence the decisions of those contacted. Failure to exercise proper judgment may result in important losses to the organization.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT

Contacts of considerable importance within the department or office. Requires tact in discussing problems and presenting data and making recommendations.

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

• 10-Key Basic
• Accounting Basic
• Alphanumeric Data Entry Intermediate
• Contact Management Basic
• Database Advanced
• Enterprise Resource Planning Basic
• Human Resources Systems Basic
• Payroll Systems Basic
• Presentation/PowerPoint None
• Programming Languages Advanced
• Spreadsheet Basic
• Word Processing/Typing Basic

OTHER SKILLS

• 1. Ability to read blueprints and schematic wiring diagrams.
• 2. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both in person and by telephone or two-way radio.
• 3. Knowledge of radio coaxial cable and termination connectors.
• 4. Knowledge of the operation, maintenance, adaptability, limitations, and safety precautions associated with assigned equipment.
• 5. Must possess the physical strength and agility to operate heavy equipment over rough terrain, occasionally under adverse weather conditions.
• 6. Ability to follow established shop procedures.
• 7. Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
• 8. Ability to maintain detailed technical records and reports.
• 9. Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

• Stand Continuously
• Walk Continuously
• Sit Continuously
• Use hands to handle or feel Continuously
• Reach with hands and arms Continuously
• Climb or balance Continuously
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl Continuously
• Talk or hear Continuously
• Taste or smell Continuously

WEIGHT LIFT REQUIREMENTS

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move: Up to 100 pounds

VISION REQUIREMENT

Specific vision abilities required by this job may include: Ability to adjust focus (work duties that require the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus at various distances or focal lengths).

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Work near moving mechanical parts (spinning shafts, engines, lifts, etc.) Frequently
• Work in high, precarious places (tall structures, bucket lifts, extension ladders, etc.) Occasionally
• Fumes or airborne particles (painting, sanding, solvents, flying lint or dust particles, etc.) Frequently
• Toxic or caustic chemicals (including potential for chemical spills, etc.) Occasionally
• Outdoor weather conditions (exposure to outdoor heat, cold or inclement weather) Frequently
• Wet or humid conditions (not weather-related, such as greenhouse, carwash, etc.)Frequently
• Extreme cold (not weather-related, such as freezer, cold storage, etc.) Occasionally
• Extreme heat not weather-related, such as furnace, kitchen, ovens, etc. where temp is regularly above 100 degrees F) Never
• Risk of electrical shock (live electrical wires, equipment that retains power after shutoff) Continuously
• Work with explosives (TNT, dynamite, nitroglycerine or other related explosives) Occasionally
• Risk of radiation (x-ray equipment, nuclear radiation, electromagnetic radiation, etc.) Never
• Vibration (jack hammer, soil compactor, equipment that creates high vibration, etc.) Occasionally
• The noise level in the work environment is usually Loud (metal can manufacturing department, large equipment, etc.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).