Instrumentation & Control Technician II (Austin Water)

Austin, Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Austin is seeking an Instrumentation & Controls Technician to diagnose, calibrate, install and maintain control systems at water and wastewater facilities. You will read schematics, work with PLCs, DCS/SCADA, and sensors while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

You will join a team performing preventative maintenance, training, and on-call support, with opportunities to contribute to project planning and system upgrades across multiple sites.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent plus 4 years of instrumentation and control experience.
• Associate degree in instrumentation or related field plus 2 years of instrumentation & control experience.
• Experience with calibration and maintenance of transmitters, sensors, PLCs, and pump/motor control circuitry.
• Experience in water/wastewater facilities or related process facility preferred.
• Ability to pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Ability to work in hazardous environments, heights, and confined spaces.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostics, installation, calibration, repairs, and maintenance of instrumentation and control systems for water and wastewater facilities.
• Read, interpret, and modify blueprints, schematics, ladder logic, and diagrams to troubleshoot and reflect current operating systems.
• Train others in safe work practices, equipment installation and calibrations, and facility process control.
• Communicate with customers about activities impacting services and participate in project planning meetings.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Reading schematics/ladder logic

Planning and organizing

Ability to work at heights

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in instrumentation/control systems

Tools

Electronic meters

Simulators

SCADA software

Job description

* Performs moderately difficult diagnostics to analyze problems associated with instrumentation and control systems and programmable logic controllers using test equipment such as electronic meters, simulators, and software applications related to configuration and communications protocols for plant control, networking, DCS, and SCADA systems.* Performs moderately difficult installations, calibrations, diagnostics, repairs, and replacements of instrumentation and control systems equipment and components for water and wastewater facilities, such as treatment plants, pump stations, and lift stations.* Performs moderate to difficult installations, calibrations, maintenance, modification and programming of flow meters, transmitters, controllers, and analytical equipment.* Services hydraulic, electric, pneumatic, and mechanical instruments used for controlling, analyzing, measuring, and recording.* Communicates with customers to explain purpose of activities that impact services.* Trains others in safe work practices, equipment installation and calibrations, and facility process control.* Monitors compliance and communicates safety issues to personnel.* Reads, interprets, modifies, and updates blueprints, schematics, ladder logic, and diagrams in order to troubleshoot, repair, or modify equipment and to accurately reflect current operating systems.* Monitors and makes visual inspections of control and instrumentation equipment to determine operating condition and perform preventative maintenance.* Maintains accurate inventory and maintenance logs.* Assists in project planning workshops, development meetings, progress meetings, and retrospective review meetings.* Identifies and makes recommendations concerning technical issues pertaining to electronic instrumentation and controls.* Knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws.* Knowledge of City practices, policies, and procedures.* Knowledge of water and wastewater treatment facilities.* Knowledge of the methods, procedures, tools, and equipment used in testing instrumentation and control systems and devices.* Knowledge of installation, operation, and maintenance of instrumentation and control systems and related equipment.* Knowledge of the laws, theories, rules, and standards pertaining to instrumentation and control systems installation, construction, and maintenance.* Knowledge of safety rules and procedures when working with energized systems and equipment involving voltage.* Skill in oral and written communication.* Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.* Skill in using computers and related software.* Skill in planning and organizing.* Ability to select and operate proper air ventilation equipment based on readings from atmospheric monitors in compliance with Utility Confined Space Entry Policy/Procedures.* Ability to work in environments that may have hazardous atmospheres.* Ability to climb ladders supporting up to 300 pounds and work at heights of up to 200 feet.* Ability to work in confined spaces where there is limited or restricted means for entry and exit or where the work activities may be hindered or have energized equipment and electrical voltage.* Ability to safely wear Anti-fall (SRL) body harness for confined space entry that supports up to 300 pounds.* Ability to use special tools and equipment used to perform diagnostics, maintenance, repairs, and installations of instrumentation/control systems.* Ability to read, interpret, modify, and update blueprints, schematics, ladder logic, and diagrams.* Ability to draw schematics of instrument and control circuits.* Ability to disassemble and repair instruments and controls in the field using hand tools.* Ability to implement effective safety and training programs.* Ability to respond quickly and perform strenuous work in emergency situations and all weather conditions.* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City employees and the general public.* Ability to meet and maintain driver eligibility standards detailed in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program while driving personal and City of Austin vehicles on official business.* Ability to participate in an on-call program and work both scheduled/unscheduled overtime.* Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent, plus four (4) years of experience in the repair, installation, maintenance, and calibration of instrumentation and control system equipment, or a related field, including two (2) years of instrumentation & control experience in a water and wastewater treatment facility or a similar industrial process control facility; OR* Graduation with an Associate of Arts or Science Technology degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to instrumentation or control systems, plus two (2) years of instrumentation & control experience in a water and wastewater treatment facility or a closely related process facility.* Demonstration of strong technical knowledge and experience in the maintenance and calibration of instrumentation and control systems equipment such as pressure transmitters/transducers, level sensors, flow meters, PLC's and pump/motor control circuitry.* Experience working in a water/wastewater facility or related process facility performing instrumentation & control maintenance.* A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position.* Provide each job title and accurate employment dates for all jobs included on the application.* Your work history should include the duties you performed, any supervisory or lead responsibilities, and any equipment and computer software used.* The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.* A résumé is required but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.* A cover letter is also required. In the cover letter candidates should describe, in concise detail, their interest in this position and highlight any prior experience that is relevant to this position.* Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED, undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.* If you are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.* This position will require that you be able to perform the following essential job functions with confidence and with or without reasonable accommodations: Occasional carrying or lifting up to 50 lbs., occasional pushing or pulling up to 50 lbs., frequent standing and walking, occasional sitting and lying, frequent climbing of stairs and ladders, occasional reaching overhead, crawling, and twisting, frequent kneeling, stooping/bending, and repetitive hand/foot movement, far and near vision with color differentiation, hearing and communicating, frequent finger dexterity, grasping or squeezing, traveling to work sites, ability to wear personal protective equipment, exposure to extreme weather conditions, atmospheric and hazardous conditions and very loud noise.* Selected candidate will be required to complete and pass a pre-employment physical exam to be considered for this position, which includes a Functional (FC) strength/agility test.* Candidates must be able to work in environments which may have hazardous atmospheres or in confined spaces where there is limited or restricted means for entry and exit, or where the activities of an employee are hindered.* Candidates must be able to perform duties with confidence at sites where climbing heights of up to 200 feet is required on ladders that support up to 300 lbs.**Competitive Benefits**: Enjoy a comprehensive compensation