Instrument & Control Specialist

Lansing Board of Water & Light; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 66,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lansing Board of Water & Light seeks an experienced Instrument Controls Specialist to maintain electrical instrumentation and control systems across our electric, steam, water, and chilled water utilities. You will work with DCS/SCADA, PLCs, and field devices, ensuring accurate data and reliable operation.

Candidates should have completed a 4-year apprenticeship with Journeyman IC or an equivalent education and experience, be able to read complex schematics, and commit to safety and on-call

Qualifications

• 4-year Instrument Controls Specialist apprenticeship plus 1 year of experience
• Or an associate degree with electrical, electronics and computers curriculum plus 4 years utility maintenance
• Equivalent education and experience to Journeyman IC

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, test, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair control systems such as DCS/SCADA and HMI
• Read schematics, diagrams, and manuals to extract technical information
• Collaborate with engineering to provide updated prints and project modifications
• Ensure data integrity for engineering review and historian captures
• Perform daily walk downs of critical plant systems
• Participate in ongoing job-related trainings
• Adhere to safety mandates and NERC‑CIP requirements

Skills

Instrumentation

Electrical

Automation

SCADA

Education

4-year IC apprenticeship

Associate degree in Electrical/Electronics/Computers

Tools

DCS

SCADA

PLC

Job description

Thank you for your interest in the BWL. We think you’ll find it a rewarding and nurturing place to grow your career.

Starting Salary Range: $57.91 - $57.91

Salary Range: $57.91

GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

Responsible for performing a variety of technical duties relating to electrical instrumentation, control, and monitoring functions of the LBWL’s electric, steam, water, and chilled water utilities. Equipment will range from, but not limited to legacy pneumatic systems to current computerized systems such as Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. Must have aptitude in mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, electronics, computers, networking and troubleshooting these systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Comply with all LBWL, State and Federal safety mandates, complete ongoing safety training, and participate in ongoing safety initiatives.
• Install, configure, test, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair the following systems:
• Distributed Control Systems, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems and Human Machine Interfaces
• Control system networks including but not limited to Modbus, FieldBus, ProfiBus, 61850, HART, Ethernet IP and support devices like switches, routers, gateways, servers, and media converters.
• Wireless networks including, cellular, license, radio, spread spectrum, and microwave.
• Programmable Logic Controllers, Single Process Loop Controller (Manual/Auto Stations Temperature Controllers), Data Recorders, Vibration monitors, Variable Frequency Drives and Digital Process indicators.
• Process transmitters, gauges, switches and analytical equipment for chemistry and continuous emissions monitoring (CEMS).
• Various pneumatic equipment, regulators, and solenoid valves.
• Understand facility processes and operational requirements that control systems that directly affect operations and inform plant staff of any issues, concerns, or improvements to be made.
• Ability to read, understand, and extract technical information from schematics, diagrams, prints, manuals, and other various resources.
• Work with engineering to provide updated prints with project and field changes, assist in the review of new projects and system modifications to provide feedback or recommendations pertaining to instrumentation and controls.
• Ensure the integrity of reporting data for engineering review and historian captures.
• Perform daily walk downs and checks of critical plant systems.
• Participate in ongoing job-related trainings.
• Support the LBWL Asset Management System initiatives and NERC-CIP requirements.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Candidate will need to be available for overtime and on-call basis as needed. Must have a valid Michigan driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. Must be respirator, CPR, and AED certified within six (6) months of hire. Must have worked independently and in a team-oriented environment. Must follow good documentation practices. Must have completed a 4-year Instrument Controls Specialist apprenticeship plus 1 year of experience or associate degree with electrical, electronics and computers curriculum plus 4 years utility maintenance experience, or equivalent education and experience to current Journeyman IC.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The job can require indoor and outdoor physical labor during hot and freezing weather. Frequently exposed to plant dust, fumes, heat, and noise while carrying out related duties. Job requires employee to wear ARC flash clothing and other pertinent PPE. Also requires working from elevated platforms/high places and confined spaces. Need to be able to differentiate between colors. Requires fine motor skills to service sensitive equipment. Stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and standing for a long period of time required when servicing, removing, or installing equipment. Also, may require lifting objects 50lbs or more.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Exposed to indoor and outdoor environment. Frequently exposed to plant dust, fumes, heat, and noise in carrying out repairs. Required to work around asbestos and coal dust. Required to work in enclosed and confined spaces, and underground.

Why Should You Apply?

• Competitive wages, employee development, and opportunity for professional growth.
• Robust time off benefits including vacation, free choice, sick leave, parental leave and 11 paid holidays.
• Comprehensive benefits package offered including medical, prescription, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, employee assistance program.
• Voluntary benefits including vision, supplemental and dependent life insurance, flexible spending, AFLAC options, LifeLock anti-theft, long term care, tuition reimbursement, and BWL’s Home Purchase Plan – Forgivable $5,000 loan for purchase of a home in Lansing.
• Retirement programs including 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan (DC) (100% company paid up to 9.5 % of base salary for BU positions and up to 13% of base salary for NBU positions), 457 Deferred Compensation matches up to $2,500 per year.
• Post retirement benefits offered at the respective level of coverage, co-pays and health care premium, at the same level as active employees.
• Two fitness centers located on site open 24/7, work life balance program, employee assistance program, free parking and much more!

About BWL:

The Board of Water & Light serves Lansing, Michigan, and surrounding areas with electricity, water, and steam. Lansing’s city charter vests the BWL with full and exclusive management of water, steam, and electric services for or the city. The American Public Power Association has honored the Lansing Board of Water & Light as one of the country’s best publicly-owned utilities.

The Location:

Lansing lies at the heart of the Great Lakes State and offers all the beauty and splendor of the four seasons. A haven for swimming, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, golf, and hunting, mid-Michigan is also just a couple hours from premier skiing and one of the most beautiful freshwater lakeshores in the world on our Lake Michigan Coast. Lansing itself is only minutes and miles away from two of the nation’s premier universities, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, and boasts miles of walking, running, biking trails, Potter Park Zoo, professional sports, the arts, and fine dining.

THE BOARD OF WATER & LIGHT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER