Instrument Technician

City of Kalamazoo, MI; Kalamazoo (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Kalamazoo, MI is seeking a skilled Process Control Technician to design, install, maintain and repair equipment in computerized analog/digital process control systems across Public Services facilities. You will ensure continuous operation of computer systems, sensors, PLCs, telemetry, and motor controls, with on-call standby for emergencies.

The role requires extensive diagnostic work, calibration, and documentation updates, and involves coordinating with engineers on circuit and system

Qualifications

• Requires graduation from high school or GED.
• Completion of a trade or vocational program in electronic or electrical technology.
• ISA certification as a Control System Technician or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled preventive, predictive and corrective maintenance on process control systems.
• Test, inspect, repair and calibrate electro-hydraulic, analog, pneumatic and digital components and PLCs.
• Order, install and test new circuitry and sensors; maintain documentation and drawings.
• Develop and install interface equipment for online data input from field instruments; support UPS systems.
• Respond to emergency standby situations and outside normal hours as required.

Skills

Process control

PLC programming

Electrical troubleshooting

Instrumentation

Preventive maintenance

Diagnostics

Education

High school diploma or GED

Trade/vocational program in electronic or electrical technology

ISA Control System Technician certification

Tools

Oscilloscope

Signal generators

Electrical testing equipment

Job description

This is skilled and highly technical work in the design, installation, maintenance, testing and repair of all equipment included in a computerized analog/digital process control system; including telecommunication fiber optic and wireless telemetry systems and motor control circuits in Public Services plants, stations, buildings and grounds; does related work as required.

The employee is responsible for maintaining continuous operation of computer systems including components, peripheral devices, analog and digital sensors,analyzers, motor controls, controllers, actuators, probes, variable frequency drives, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), recorders, telemetry and telecommunication units and other instrumentation by establishing and carrying out appropriate system tests, calibrations, diagnostics, etc. to monitor and document system performance. The work is performed under the supervision of the Process Control Supervisor. The employee is responsible for determining work procedures, corrective actions and independently applying technical knowledge and skills to maintain the required level of system performanceand reliability. At times, this work must be completed outside normal work hours and thus the employee will be required to respond to frequent but unpredictable emergency situations during that time the employee is on “standby”.

• Establishes and maintains a program and performsscheduled preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance on the process control systems.
• Tests, inspects, repairs and calibrateselectro-hydraulic, analog, pneumatic and digital system componentsincluding motor controls,distributive controls and PLCs to ensure reliable and continuous operation.
• Purchases, installs and tests of new circuitry, sensors and related equipment.
• Develop and install computer interface equipment required for the on-line data input from field instruments including Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems.
• Calibrates and repairs flow measuring components, transducers, differential pressure cells, signal transmitters,pressure and level sensors, thermocouples, telemetering equipment, telecommunication, wireless communication and other similar instrumentations.
• Orders and purchases spare parts necessary to assure reliable operation of process control system.
• Works with engineers to make circuit and system changes.
• Recommends, specifies, designs, purchases, programs and installs new equipment.Maintains documentation by updating drawings and prints as needed.
• Prepares as-built drawings, schematics, and control logic as needed.

• Considerable knowledge of the operation and maintenance of digital computersprocess control instrumentation, PID (proportional-integral-derivative) control and motor controls.
• Thorough knowledge of digital logic and analog circuitry; skill in the use of signal generators, oscilloscope and related electronic testing equipmentand closed loop control.
• Ability to interpret and work from electrical and electronic schematicsand specifications; reasonable knowledge of pneumatic and electro-hydraulic instrumentation,hydraulics and thermodynamics used in process control systems.
• Skill in performing basic and advanced electrical,electronic andinstrumentationdiagnostic and repair work.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees.
• Ability to prepare written documents, including; equipment specifications, work order and troubleshooting reports.
• Graduation from high school, or GED.

• Completion of a tradeor vocational level program in electronic or electrical technology.
• Certified by the Instrument Society of America as a Control System Technician (or equivalent).
• Five years of experience with diagnosis and repair of instrumentation equipment.
• Familiarity with programming PLCs.