Electrical Instrumentation Technician I/II

County of Santa Cruz; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Santa Cruz seeks an Electrical Instrumentation Technician I/II to design, install, maintain, and test a range of control systems equipment for water and wastewater facilities. Entry-level incumbents work under supervision and advance with experience; II is journey-level with broader responsibilities and possible guidance to others.

The role requires a mix of instrumentation, electronics, and process control knowledge, with flexibility for shifts and field tasks at facilities throughout

Qualifications

• Associate of Science technology degree in instrumentation, computers, or electronics or 24 college-level units in instrumentation, computers, or electronics.
• Two years of experience in operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial instrumentation, control or communication system components.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, install, maintain, operate, inspect and test control systems equipment.
• Work under supervision as an entry-level technician and progress to greater independence.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to lower level staff as needed.

Skills

Read schematics

Interpret diagrams

Use hand tools

Test instruments

Record keeping

Emergency response

Education

AS degree in instrumentation/computers/electronics

24 college-level semester units in instrumentation/computers/electronics

Tools

Telemetry systems

Digital computer systems

Job description

THE JOB:

Positions in this series perform work related to the design, fabrication, installation, maintenance, operation, inspection, and testing of a variety of control systems equipment including, but not limited to, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, computer, microprocessor and variable frequency drives, electro-mechanical, digital, telemetry, and analog components used in water and wastewater process control systems, and perform other duties as required.

Electrical Instrumentation Technician I is considered the entry level class in this series. Incumbents initially work under close supervision. As experience is gained, incumbents perform a broader range of duties with more independence. After at least two years of experience, incumbents are expected to advance to the next level of Electrical Instrumentation Technician II.

Electrical Instrumentation Technician II is the journey level class in this series. Incumbents work under general supervision performing the full range of duties, and may provide technical assistance and guidance to lower level staff.

THE REQUIREMENTS:

Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Electrical Instrumentation Technician I:

An Associate of Science technology degree in instrumentation, computers, or electronics, or 24 college-level semester units in instrumentation, computers, or electronics; OR two years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial instrumentation, control or communication system components involving the application of physical, chemical, and electronic principles. At least one year of the required experience must have involved the maintenance of digital equipment.

Electrical Instrumentation Technician II:

Two years of experience as an Electrical Instrumentation Technician I with the County of Santa Cruz, OR an Associate of Science technology degree in instrumentation, computers, electronics, or 24 college-level semester units in instrumentation, computers, electronics and two years of experience in the design and/or maintenance of process instrumentation and control equipment, including computer equipment; ORfour years of experience in the design and/or maintenance of process instrumentation and control equipment, including computer equipment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California class C driver's license.

Certificate: Certification from the California Water Environment Association is highly desirable.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures and weather conditions; heights, such as working while standing on a ladder; and electrical hazards.

Other Special Requirements: Available to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, nights, holidays, and on an as-needed basis.

Knowledge:

Electrical Instrumentation Technician I:

Some knowledge of analog and digital system fault diagnostic techniques and procedures; principles underlying the construction and use of scientific instruments; principles underlying the construction and use of chemistry and physics; electronic and electrical low voltage circuits; methods, practices, and equipment used in maintaining, repairing, testing, and adjusting electromechanical, pneumatic, electronic and other types of recording, control, and measuring instruments; and safety practices necessary for the work.

Electrical Instrumentation Technician II:

Working knowledge of analog and digital system fault diagnostic techniques and procedures; principles underlying the construction and use of scientific instruments; principles underlying the construction and use of chemistry and physics; electronic and electrical low voltage circuits; methods, practices, and equipment used in maintaining, repairing, testing, and adjusting electromechanical, pneumatic, electronic and other types of recording, control, and measuring instruments; safety practices necessary for the work; electrical and electronic theory and practice as applied to process instrumentation and control equipment; analog and digital system fault diagnostic techniques and procedures; principles of chemistry and physics; architecture, maintenance, and operation of digital computer systems; operation of telemetry systems; materials, methods, and equipment used in the inspection, testing, calibration, maintenance, and repair of process instrumentation and control equipment; and principles of preventative maintenance and maintenance documentation.

Ability to:

Electrical Instrumentation Technician I:

Read and interpret analog equipment schematics, analog system network diagrams, plans, blueprints, and electrical wiring diagrams as well as recording charts, gauges, and other instruments; learn the operation of special purpose scientific measuring devices and correct malfunctions and sources of error; work with hand tools and test instruments; work and communicate with operations and maintenance personnel; keep records; present data; prepare reports, respond to emergency calls; work while standing on a ladder; stand on a platform elevated over twenty (20) feet above ground; lift fifty (50) pounds of objects; work outside under all weather conditions; work in heavy traffic; distinguish colors used in electric wiring color-coding; and set priorities and meet deadlines.

Electrical Instrumentation Technician II:

Read and interpret analog equipment schematics, analog system network diagrams, plans, blueprints, and electrical wiring diagrams; read and interpret recording charts, gauges, and other instruments; learn the operation of special purpose scientific measuring devices and correct malfunctions and sources of error; work with hand tools and test instruments; work and communicate with operations and maintenance personnel; keep records; present data; prepare reports; respond to emergency calls; work while standing on a ladder; stand on a platform elevated over twenty (20) feet above ground; lift fifty (50) pounds of objects; work outside under all weather conditions; work in heavy traffic; distinguish colors used in electric wiring color-coding; set priorities and meet deadlines; direct the work of subordinate technicians; read and interpret plans, schematics, process control flow diagrams, system/network drawings, detail drawings, and wiring diagrams; perform complex maintenance tasks involving analog and digital equipment; perform some original circuit design work as required to implement minor analog and digital equipment modifications; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; prepare maintenance service reports; prepare new and/or modified equipment operating and maintenance procedures; troubleshoot and repair analog and digital controls down to the board level.