Communications & Control Technician (Electronic Technician)

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority; Winthrop (MA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) in Winthrop, MA, is seeking an Instrumentation Specialist to support the Deer Island facilities. You will contribute to the development, installation, and maintenance of the control and monitoring systems that keep water treatment and distribution running reliably.

Responsibilities include calibrating instrumentation, servicing PLCs, configuring SCADA/HMI interfaces, and collaborating with vendors to ensure data line integrity.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent in electronics/related field.
• Two years' experience maintaining PLCs or automated process control.
• One year in calibration, repair and maintenance of instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Develop, install, and maintain control and monitoring systems.
• Install and service data modems and data communications equipment.
• Calibrate and maintain instrumentation for SCADA facilities.
• Troubleshoot and repair PLCs and related control systems.
• Work with HMI screens, SCADA PCs, and remote units.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Instrumentation calibration

Data communication

Team lead experience

Education

Associate's Degree in Electronic Engineering or related field

Electronics technician certification

ISA Control Systems Technician Certification

Tools

SCADA systems

HMI software

AutoCAD

PLC hardware

Job description

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary:

Participates in the development, installation and maintenance of the Authority's Deer Island Instrumentation systems.

Posting Period: 11/4/2026 to 11/24/2026
Location: Deer Island (Winthrop), MA
Salary: $75,178.52 - $108,036.00 Annually $1,445.74 - $2,077.62 Weekly
*Promo rate is $108,036.00 Annually
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Assists with the development, installation, enhancement and maintenance of the control and monitoring system.
• Installs, repairs and services direct to line, time division multiplex digital channel banks, CSU/DSU high-speed data modems and other data communications equipment.
• Works with the phone company and other vendors to achieve data line installations and repairs.
• Performs precision calibration and maintenance on primary instrumentation devices utilized for the control and operation of SCADA controlled and monitored water and wastewater facilities.
• Troubleshoots, repairs and maintains programmable logic controllers.
• Works with Human Machine Interface screens, SCADA PCs, network equipment, programmable logic controllers and remote terminal units as directed.
• Maintains associated communication hardware and software related to remote headworks sites.
• Follows established safety, operating and emergency response procedures and policies established by the MWRA.
• May perform duties of lower graded Unit 2 titles including Instrumentation Specialist such as:

• Installs, repairs and services a wide range of analog and digital control instruments related computer-based systems and equipment as required or assigned
• Inspects calibrates and troubleshoots a wide range of electronic, electro-mechanical, pneumatic instrumentation and computer-based control systems for performance in accordance with manufacturer's specifications, using carious precision measuring instruments and electrical testing devices and equipment.
• Performs preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance on analog and digital instrumentation and control systems, equipment and support systems according to vendor specifications.
• Reads and interprets complex instrumentation and control drawings, diagrams and control logic sequences.

• Performs related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• An Associate's Degree in Electronic Engineering or related field, an electronics technician certification (community college or trade school), or an ISA Control Systems Technician Certification; and
• At least two (2) years of experience maintaining and servicing computer controlled programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and/or other types of automated process control including one year as a team lead or supervisor. Successful completion of the MWRA sponsored supervisory training program and receipt of the training certificate may be substituted for supervisory experience; and
• At least one (1) year of experience in the calibration, repair and maintenance of instrumentation and data communication equipment; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• Valid Massachusetts Class D motor vehicle license or driver's license from another state.
• Must complete Confined Space Entry Training within six months.
• Required to be on-call for emergencies 24 hours per day, 7 days a week on a rotating basis.
• This position has been designated as essential in instances where the MWRA Executive Director requires essential personnel to report to work such as inclement weather or other emergencies.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to troubleshoot to the board level utilizing a variety of electronic test equipment as well as computer driven diagnostics is required.
• Ability to install and repair PLC CPU's and associated I/O cards.
• Familiarity with windows-based HMI application software is desired.
• Familiarity with Auto-CAD, or other equivalent CAD design program preferred.
• Familiarity with computer interface software associated with various PLC's in use.
• Working knowledge of Windows Operating Systems.
• Strong initiative/work ethic and excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.

Tools and Equipment Used

Electronic test equipment, PLC's, personal computer including word processing and other software, hand tools, mobile radios and copy and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to walk, sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock.
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings and moderately quiet in office settings.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Instrumentation Operations Supervisor.
Exercises close supervision of technicians and support staff.

Other Position Information

PCR#: 29880113

Division: Operations

Department: Trade Labor Maintenance

Union/Grade: AFSCME (Unit 2)/Grade 18

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.