Electrical & Instrumentation Technician I

plains; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Plains is seeking an experienced E&I Technician to provide electrical and instrumentation support across field assets, including tank farms and control centers. You will install, calibrate, maintain, and repair designated equipment and systems, troubleshoot complex problems, and ensure maintenance records are accurate and current.

This is a field-based role requiring safety discipline and adaptability. Responsibilities include configuring control systems (DCS, HMI, PLCs), working with high

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be a ticketed Electrical Journeyperson.
• 5 - 10 years of prior gas plant, refinery, pipeline, or oilfield experience.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English and perform basic math.
• Ability to work in a team-based work environment, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to read and comprehend electrical drawings, pipeline maps, other technical drawings / schematics, and perform load studies, and related calculations.
• Must know electrical code requirements and specifications associated with pipeline / facility operations as well as all applicable federal, state, and provincial government regulations.
• Must have familiarity with electrical theory and electrical skills and know basic requirements for wire/wiring and conduit installation; related training in HVAC and/or instrumentation is helpful.
• Must have experience or training with high voltage electrical systems and safety; should also have experience in substation and switchgear work.
• Trained in all types of protective devices associated with pipeline operations, including mechanical and solid-state protective relays, breakers, motor windings, RTDs, temperature transmitters and vibration sensors/recorders, and associated devices.
• Proficient at installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing basic industrial electrical systems.
• Proficient with basic AC/DC voltage measurement as well as capacitance and amperage testing.
• Proficiency in working with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), flow computers, UPS system inverters, and back-up battery system maintenance.
• Thorough knowledge and deep expertise in operating, maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting of facility and pipeline equipment and systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem solving, and optimization skills.
• Self-motivated and energetic with effective written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Performs all Junior and Intermediate E&I Technician responsibilities and work tasks without supervision.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, repairs, installs, and commissions electrical equipment such as PLCs, instrumentation, motor control centers, motors, switchgear, VFD's, MOV's, HVAC's and other electrical equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Maintains control systems, including the configuration of Distributed Control Systems, (DCS), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and resolves control system and logic abnormal conditions.
• Maintains electrical distribution systems, including testing and maintenance of high voltage distribution panels.
• Performs root cause failure analysis and creates failure analysis reports to improve reliability.
• Provides on-call support during non-business hours for emergency response and maintenance break-ins.
• Responsible for communicating problem areas and recommendations to the appropriate level.
• Relieves the area supervisor as required.
• Responds to emergency events and initiates spill response as appropriate.
• Assists with other related duties as assigned.

Skills

Electrical journeyperson

Teamwork

Problem solving

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

PLC

DCS

HMI

VFDs

SCADA

Job description

Job Type:

Regular

Plains is an industry-leading transportation and midstream provider specializing in transportation, storage, processing and marketing solutions for crude oil. We own an extensive network of pipeline transportation, terminalling, storage and gathering assets in key oil producing basins and transportation corridors and at major market hubs in the United States and Canada. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

We're on the lookout for passionate self‑starters who thrive in fast‑moving, collaborative, and innovative environments.

The E&I Technician provides electrical and instrumentation support to Plains assets through the installation, calibration, maintenance, and repair of designated equipment and systems. They are responsible for performing scheduled and non-scheduled work tasks in the field at tank farms, pump stations, facilities, Control Centers, and facilities, as well as office locations. They can perform the installation and repair of complex equipment and systems, exercising judgement in the selection of work methods and able to troubleshoot complex problems. They possess a thorough understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the work and provide recommendations for performance improvements. They ensure that maintenance records are accurate and current, that preventative maintenance schedules are timely, and may plan and coordinate the work of contract or maintenance crews.

This is a field-based role with frequent work in open environments with extremes of heat and cold, often in proximity to high voltage and/or chemicals, which requires safety accommodations such as protective clothing and equipment. This role is subject to callouts for work associated with Plains field operations and/or emergency response.

Job Responsibilities:

• Performs all Junior and Intermediate E&I Technician responsibilities and work tasks without supervision.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, repairs, installs, and commissions electrical equipment such as PLCs, instrumentation, motor control centers, motors, switchgear, VFD's, MOV's, HVAC's and other electrical equipment in a safe and efficient manner.
• Maintains control systems, including the configuration of Distributed Control Systems, (DCS), Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), and resolves control system and logic abnormal conditions.
• Maintains electrical distribution systems, including testing and maintenance of high voltage distribution panels.
• Performs root cause failure analysis and creates failure analysis reports to improve reliability.
• Provides on-call support during non-business hours for emergency response and maintenance break-ins.
• Responsible for communicating problem areas and recommendations to the appropriate level.
• Relieves the area supervisor as required.
• Responds to emergency events and initiates spill response as appropriate.
• Assists with other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be a ticketed Electrical Journey Person.
• 5 - 10 years of prior gas plant, refinery, pipeline, or oilfield experience.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English and perform basic math.
• Ability to work in a team-based work environment, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to read and comprehend electrical drawings, pipeline maps, other technical drawings / schematics, and technical operational manuals, and perform load studies, and related calculations.
• Must know electrical code requirements and specifications associated with pipeline / facility operations as well as all applicable federal, state, and provincial government regulations.
• Must have familiarity with electrical theory and electrical skills and know basic requirements for wire/wiring and conduit installation; related training in HVAC and/or instrumentation is helpful.
• Must have experience or training with high voltage electrical systems and safety; should also have experience in substation and switchgear work.
• Trained in all types of protective devices associated with pipeline operations, including mechanical and solid-state protective relays, breakers, motor windings, RTDs, temperature transmitters and vibration sensors/recorders, and associated devices.
• Proficient at installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing basic industrial electrical systems.
• Proficient with basic AC/DC voltage measurement as well as capacitance and amperage testing.
• Proficiency in working with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), flow computers, UPS system inverters, and back-up battery system maintenance.
• Thorough knowledge and deep expertise in operating, maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting of facility and pipeline equipment and systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem solving, and optimization skills.
• Self-motivated and energetic with effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work with a variet