Instrumentation and Control Technician

City of San Diego; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

City of San Diego is seeking an Instrumentation and Control Technician to install, test, calibrate, and maintain a wide range of control instruments across water and wastewater plants. You will work with PLCs, SCADA, and DCS environments to monitor and optimize processes.

The role requires completion of a four-year apprenticeship and at least four years of full-time experience in electronic instrumentation and control equipment, including two years of troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a state-accredited four-year Electrical, Electronics, Communications, or Industrial Automation and Instrumentation Apprenticeship Program.

Responsibilities

• Install, test, adjust, modify and maintain digital and analog instrumentation and control equipment.
• Monitor and troubleshoot instrumentation and control systems using computer terminals and programming units.
• Maintain records of work performed and ensure compliance with safety standards.

Skills

SCADA knowledge

DCS environments

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Education

4-year Electrical/Electronics/Industrial Automation Apprenticeship

Job description

See NOTES below for future wage increases and/or additional compensation opportunities.

Instrumentation and Control Technician positions install, test, adjust, modify and maintain digital and analog circuitry, microprocessor-controlled devices, programmable logic controllers, variable frequency devices, electric valve actuators, process control equipment, telemetry devices, sensors, and controllers on a wide variety of water and wastewater treatment process instruments and devices; write, modify and test complex relay ladder logic or function block instruction sequences in the form of computer programs to monitor and control water or wastewater treatment processes; operate computer terminals, portable programming units or other complex electronic test equipment to analyze and troubleshoot instrumentation and control systems; perform mathematical computations to calibrate instruments and determine values of inputs and outputs in computer programs; maintain records of work performed; and perform other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

• Employees in job classifications represented by AFSME Local 127 are scheduled to receive the following general wage increases:
  • 3.5% effective 7/1/27
  • 2% effective 7/1/28
  • 2% effective 1/1/29
• Eligible benefited employees originally hired on or after July 10, 2021, will be automatically enrolled in the San Diego City Employees Retirement System (SDCERS).
• For positions in the Water Recovery, Water Delivery, and Pure Water Branches, Instrumentation and Control Technician employees will be given respirator and confined space entry training.
• Employees must be able to pass a Respirator Fit Test for entry into confined spaces and chlorine environments and pass confined space entry training within six months from date of hire.
• Employees must also agree to remain clean-shaven to safely use a self-contained breathing apparatus, an air-purifying respirator, or an on-line air system.
• Instrumentation and Control Technician employees may be required to work overtime, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Instrumentation and Control Technician employees may be required to work on a standby basis, for which they may receive 5% additional pay.
• Instrumentation and Control Technician employees may also require work in sewerage or chemical environments, at high levels, in tanks or channels, and in confined spaces.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

You must meet the following requirements on the date you apply, unless otherwise indicated.

1. Successful completion of a state-accredited four-year Electrical, Electronics, Communications, or Industrial Automation and Instrumentation Apprenticeship Program.
2. Four years of full-time experienceassembling, installing, maintaining, and calibrating microprocessor-based control equipment, electronic instrumentation and control equipment (e.g., distributive control systems or programmable logic controllers), security systems, video cameras, access control systems, or telemetry equipmentwhich MUST include two years of full-time troubleshooting and repair experience of electronic control systems and electrical equipment used in industrial process automation.

NOTE:

• City of San Diego employees using Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA) experience to qualify must submit written documentation signed by their appointing authority or payroll specialist, detailing the work performed, dates, and total number of qualifying OCA hours. OCA experience without the required documentation will NOT be considered.

LICENSE:

A valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of hire.

HIGHLY DESIRABLES:

• Knowledge of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and/or Distributed Control System (DCS) environments.
• Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment facilities and conveyance systems.
• Experience in programming and troubleshooting Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).
• Experience in maintaining distributed control systems.
• International Society of Automation (ISA) Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) Level 2 Certification.
• California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Electrical and Instrumentation Technologist Grade 2 Certification.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS (MUST SUBMIT WITH APPLICATION)

• Proof of apprenticeship completion, if utilized to meet minimum qualifications.
• For City of San Diego employees, proof of Out-of-Class Assignment (OCA), if utilized to meet the minimum requirements.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Employment offers are conditional pending the results of all screening processes applicable to this position, which may include the following: confirmation of citizenship or legal right to work in the United States; completion of a pre-employment medical review and exam (which may include drug and alcohol testing); reference checks; and fingerprinting. Fingerprints will be submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice for a conviction record report. Certain positions may require additional screening, including a polygraph examination and/or a background investigation. All screening processes must be successfully completed before employment begins. A positive test result for alcohol, cannabis/marijuana, illegal drugs, or inadequately explained prescription drugs, or misrepresentation, falsification, or omission of pertinent facts in any step of the screening or selection process, may constitute cause for disqualification or termination of employment. Nothing in this job posting constitutes an express or implied contract for employment with the City of San Diego. Candidates must notify the Personnel Department of any change to their name, mailing address, email address, or phone number; failure to do so may result in missed employment opportunities.

Rev. 13 - February 26, 2026 (Closing Date Updated to Continuous)