Instrumentation & Control Technician - Wastewater

City of Oxnard; Oxnard (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Oxnard's Wastewater Division seeks an Instrumentation & Control Technician to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair SCADA, instrumentation, and related electrical equipment across the City’s treatment and collection systems.

You will work with Maintenance, Operations, and Contractors to monitor PLC/HMI/ telemetry, read schematics, document maintenance in the EAM, and support capital projects. Shift flexibility and teamwork are essential for this role.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Three years progressively responsible experience in electrical/electronics/instrumentation for wastewater facilities; two years journey-level.
• Valid California Class C Driver’s License; CWEA Grade I certification within 18 months.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Maintain instrumentation, PLC, SCADA, and telemetry systems for wastewater facilities.
• Read P&IDs, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams; perform calibration and testing.
• Coordinate maintenance activities with operations, maintenance, and contractors.
• Standby duty and overtime may be required; support capital projects and equipment startups.

Skills

Instrumentation maintenance

PLC/SCADA

Troubleshooting

Electrical wiring

Industrial networks

Documentation

Education

High School Diploma or GED

CWEA Electrical Instrumentation Technician Cert.

Tools

SCADA software

PLC programming

HMI

Modbus

Ethernet/IP

Job description

This recruitment is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Early submissions are encouraged.*

The City of Oxnard's Wastewater Division is seeking a skilled and motivated Instrumentation & Control Technician to join our Maintenance team. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the reliable operation of the City's wastewater treatment and collection systems by maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing instrumentation, control systems, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and related electrical equipment. Working collaboratively with Maintenance, Operations, and Collections staff, the Instrumentation & Control Technician reports to the Wastewater Electrical Supervisor and contributes to the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of essential public infrastructure.

What you’ll do

• Install, calibrate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain process instrumentation, including flow meters, level transmitters, pressure sensors, pH analyzers, turbidity meters, dissolved oxygen analyzers, and gas detection systems.
• Maintain, configure, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, SCADA, and telemetry systems used to monitor and control wastewater treatment processes.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on instrumentation, control systems, and associated equipment to maximize reliability and regulatory compliance.
• Diagnose and resolve instrumentation, automation, and industrial communication system failures affecting plant operations.
• Conduct loop checks, functional testing, commissioning, and system validation during equipment startups, shutdowns, upgrades, and capital improvement projects.
• Install, inspect, and repair control panels, relays, VFDs, actuators, motor control centers (MCCs), instrumentation wiring, and lift station control systems.
• Troubleshoot and maintain industrial communication networks and signal systems, including 4–20 mA, discrete I/O, Modbus, Ethernet/IP, and remote monitoring equipment.
• Read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control narratives, and loop drawings to support installation and troubleshooting activities.
• Document calibrations, inspections, repairs, and maintenance activities in the city’s Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system and maintain records required for regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and contractors to support safe, efficient, and uninterrupted plant operations.
• Participate in capital improvement and modernization projects by providing technical support for the installation, integration, and commissioning of new process control equipment.
• Exercise computer proficiency and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and work efficiently in a deadline-driven environment.
• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, calibrate, and repair facility security camera (CCTV) systems and associated monitoring equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.

Payroll/Classification Title

Instrumentation & Control Technician

Supervision Received/Exercised

General supervision is provided by the Wastewater Electrical Supervisor. Incumbents of this class do not routinely exercise supervision.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The Instrumentation & Control Technician is the specialized journey-level class responsible for maintaining treatment plant process control and communication equipment in effective and efficient working order.

Work Schedule

The Wastewater Maintenance workweek is Monday through Thursday, 6:00 am to 4:30 pm. Depending on the work assignment, staff may be assigned to shifts that are outside the standard City work hours. In addition, this position is required to be available to work additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs. Incumbents will be required to work stand‑by on a rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed within a designated time frame. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Electrical Supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Performs highly skilled electronic, electronic pneumatic, and instrumentation maintenance and repair and construction duties at a wastewater treatment plant, including operation of SCADA system, lift station telemetry, security camera system, and telephone/communication system.
• Assembles, installs, and repairs electronic and instrumentation circuits, transformers, switches, control panels, pneumatic and electronic components of telemetry systems.
• Assists in planning and scheduling preventive maintenance programs; develops and implements emergency situation plans; makes recommendations to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Maintains inventory of tools, equipment, and submits requests for materials and supplies; maintains instrument laboratory and the care and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Troubleshoots a variety of problems and potential problems with treatment plant equipment; ensures that work is performed according to plans and specifications.
• Performs calibration of gas detection system, chemical tanks, meters, engines, gauges, and lavatory equipment.
• Services various plant equipment and employee safety equipment such as self‑contained breathing apparatus; repairs medium and high voltage lines, radios, and other plant equipment.
• Purchases plant supplies and maintains shop supplies.
• Responds to questions and concerns from the general public; provides information as is appropriate and resolves complaints.
• Performs the full array of duties assigned to the Instrumentation Technician class, including maintaining, in proper working order, all plant process control and communication equipment.
• Performs standby duty on a rotating basis and may be required to work varying hours, overtime, weekends, and holidays.
• Coordinates maintenance activities with the operations group.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience:

• The equivalent of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical, electronics and instrumentation equipment and circuits found in wastewater treatment plants and related facilities, including two (2) years of journey-level experience

License/Certification:

• Valid California Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
• California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Grade I Electrical Instrumentation Technician Certification within eighteen (18) months.

Other Requirements:

• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing

Highly Desired:

• Journey-level technical training in electronics, instrumentation and controls, and electricity
• Cradlepoint Certified Network Associate Certification
• Ignition Core or Gold Certification

Union Membership

Positions in this classification are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).

NOTE

For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12-month probationary period. Internal applicant probationary periods will be governed by the applicable MOU.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.

This position is governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodations for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT

On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify.

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Raul Almanza at [e-mail].

Retirement Contributions

New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; "Classic" members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

Vacation Time

Full time employees accrue vacation time at a rate of 4.39 - 8.08 hours per pay period based on years of service.

Sick Time

Full time employees accrue sick time at a rate of 3.70 hours per pay period.

Bilingual Pay

A regular full time employee may receive bilingual pay at the rate of $50.00-$125.00 bi-weekly depending on the level the employee is required to provide bilingual services as determined by the City Manager or designee.

Educational Incentive

For positions that do not require a Bachelor's Degree, the City offers an educational incentive award of 2.5% for employees that complete 30 work-related college semester units above the minimum education requirements for the position.

Health And Dental

Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The City's contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:

Level One – For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees will receive cash back if the medical plan they choose is less than the City’s monthly contribution of $1,543.00 per month. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive cash back in the amount $1,243.00 per month provided they provide proof of other qualifying coverage. Any unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee. If employees hired prior to January 1, 2023 make any changes to their health plan, they will be placed in level two.

Level Two - For employees hired on or after January 1, 2023, the City will contribute $2,054.00 towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back provided they show proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will provide $66.80 per month towards dental insurance.

Life Insurance

City employees receive Basic Life Coverage and have the option to purchase additional insurance.

Deferred Compensation

The City contributes 1% to a deferred compensation program.

Tuition Reimbursement

Full-time employees receive reimbursement of educational expenses including the costs of tuition, registration fees, laboratory fees, and books at a rate of 50% for work related coursework up to a maximum of $500 per fiscal year.

Holidays

The City observes 12 holidays per year