Instrumentation Process Control Manager I

Pima County; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 87,000 - 122,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County is looking for an Instrumentation and Process Control Manager I to lead automation initiatives in the Regional Wastewater Reclamation department. The role focuses on scalable SCADA/PLC architectures, data-driven optimization, and strong team leadership to ensure reliable wastewater treatment operations.

The ideal candidate will design scalable control platforms, apply industrial scripting and data analytics, and ensure compliance with environmental standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, civil or chemical engineering or a closely-related field plus four years in wastewater operation or industrial process control.
• Seven years of experience with Pima County in an Instrumentation Process Control Supervisor or related position including one year of lead or supervisory experience.
• Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the application materials.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term automation, process control, and asset management strategies to optimize plant efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Lead instrumentation, control system, and automation projects from planning through design, programming, implementation, and evaluation.
• Direct, inspect, and evaluate work of automation staff; mentor a high-performing team.
• Oversee SCADA systems, PLC networks, instrumentation, and lifecycle management including preventive maintenance and validation.
• Provide high-level technical leadership in troubleshooting SCADA, PLC, instrumentation, and process-control issues.
• Establish best practices for alarm management, remote monitoring, and automated reporting to improve performance.

Skills

SCADA

PLC Architecture

Data analytics

Instrumentation maintenance

Leadership

Cybersecurity protocols

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical, civil or chemical engineering or related field

Experience substitution allowed

Tools

PLC programming tools

Industrial scripting

Asset management systems

Job description

Job Description Summary

Department - Regional Wastewater Reclamation

Job Description

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Job Type: Classified

Job Classification: 5187 - Instrumentation Process Control Manager I

Salary Grade: 17

Pay Range

Hiring Range: $87,110 - $104,561 Annually

Pay Range: $87,110 - $121,992 Annually

Range Explanation

• Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.
• Pay Range is the entire compensation range for the position.

The first review of applications will be on 10/02/2026.

Are you a visionary leader with extensive expertise in SCADA systems, PLC architecture, and industrial process control? We are seeking a driven individual for the Instrumentation and Process Control Manager I position to lead operational excellence, optimize wastewater treatment processes, and guide a high-performing technical team. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of designing scalable control platforms, utilizing data analytics and industrial scripting, and ensuring strict environmental compliance. Join us in advancing innovative solutions for sustainable industrial operations.

Essential Functions

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, this classification may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class. Work assignments may vary depending on the department’s need and will be communicated to the applicant or incumbent by the supervisor.

• Develops and executes long-term automation, process control, and asset management strategies to optimize plant efficiency, reliability, operational resilience, and regulatory compliance;
• Leads major instrumentation, control system, and automation projects from planning and budgeting through design, programming, implementation, integration, and evaluation, while managing resources, schedules, and capital expenditures;
• Directs, inspects, and evaluates the work of automation engineers, control specialists, technicians, and process control personnel; mentors staff and fosters a high-performing, technically proficient team;
• Oversees the design, development, programming, maintenance, and lifecycle management of SCADA systems, PLC networks, instrumentation, and industrial control infrastructure, including preventive maintenance, system validation, and asset management programs;
• Provides high-level technical leadership in troubleshooting, diagnosing, and correcting complex SCADA, PLC, instrumentation, process control, and operational issues to maintain reliable treatment and disposal operations;
• Establishes and implements best practices for process control, alarm management, remote monitoring, automated reporting, and operational performance improvement to streamline processes, reduce downtime, and enhance system reliability;
• Evaluates plant operations, process control data, plant records, laboratory results, and performance trends to identify abnormalities, support critical operational decisions, and implement corrective actions;
• Evaluates, recommends, and implements new instrumentation, monitoring and control technologies, and emerging industrial automation solutions to improve operational performance and long‑term system capabilities;
• Establishes and maintains cybersecurity protocols, risk assessments, system audits, and security controls for industrial control systems while ensuring automation, instrumentation, and process control activities comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and industry safety standards;
• Coordinates technical strategies and operational solutions with department leadership, superintendents, operations, and Information Technology (IT) teams, and prepares comprehensive technical reports, operational documentation, and data analyses for executive management and external agencies.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in electrical, civil or chemical engineering or a closely-related field as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment AND four years of experience in operation and process control activities of a wastewater treatment plant or industrial environment.

(Relevant experience and/or education from an accredited college or university may be substituted.)

Or

Seven years of experience with Pima County in an Instrumentation Process Control Supervisor or closely related position as determined by the department head at the time of recruitment INCLUDING one year of lead or supervisory experience.

Qualifying education and experience must be clearly documented in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections of the application. Do not substitute a resume for your application or write "see resume" on your application.

Preferred Qualifications

Be specific in describing your experience in your application. Ensure the descriptions provided illustrate your competencies, specifically addressing the required and preferred qualifications.

• Minimum five (5) years experience in PLC and SCADA Platform Architecture and Design.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in automation, programming, scripting, and process data analytics.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in instrumentation maintenance and systems integration.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in large-scale project and capital budget management.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in process optimization and continuous improvement.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in advanced technical troubleshooting and preventive maintenance.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in personnel leadership, supervision, and safety standards.
• Minimum five (5) years experience in operational data management and automated monitoring systems.

Selection Procedure

Pima County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. All applications will be assessed based on an evaluation of the listed education and experience. Candidates meeting the minimum qualifications may be further evaluated/scored against any advertised Preferred Qualifications. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a referral list provided by Human Resources.

Additional assessments/testing may be required as part of the selection process.

Supplemental Information

Licenses and Certificates: Valid driver license is required at time of application. Valid AZ driver license is required at time of appointment. The successful applicant will be subject to a 39-month DOT Motor Vehicle Record review to determine applicant’s suitability to operate county vehicles in accordance with Pima County administrative procedures. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licenses and certifications shall be grounds for termination. Any offer of employment resulting from this recruitment is contingent upon Fleet Services’ review and approval of the candidate’s driving record.

Special Notice Items: The County requires pre-employment background checks. Successful candidates will receive a post-offer, pre-employment background screening to include verification of work history, education, and criminal conviction history. A prior criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a candidate from employment with the County. Some positions may require satisfactory completion of a personal background investigation by the court or law enforcement agencies, due to the need for access to County Attorney and Court facilities, records, and communication systems. Pima County determines whether a position is eligible for visa sponsorship at the time of recruitment. Eligibility is based on the requirements of the position and applicable laws and regulations. Not all positions with Pima County are eligible for visa sponsorship. This position will require a post-job offer physical and/or drug screen.

Physical/Sensory Requirements: All positions require sufficient body flexibility, mobility, stamina, and balance to allow for standing, walking, sitting, grasping and manipulation of work objects, frequent bending, stooping, reaching, and climbing stairs and ladders. All positions require regular or occasional crawling, kneeling, squatting, lifting/carrying/pushing and pulling of objects up to fifty pounds, and the ability to properly don and doff fall protection to enter and work in confined spaces. Essential to this position is corrected or sufficient vision; the ability to see, read and interpret written information, manuals, gauges, etc., including distinguishing various colors, have depth perception and peripheral vision. Also essential to this position is corrected or sufficient hearing and speaking; the ability to hear and comprehend voice and speak communications in-person, over a radio and phone, behind themselves and to hear operating equipment. Action Activity - none; Motion Activity - simple and firm grasping and fine movement; Hearing Activity - in noisy areas, on a radio, behind themselves and equipment alarms; Speaking Activity - in person, on the phone and on a radio; Vision - may be required to operate a motor vehicle, operate machinery, distinguish colors, have depth perception and peripheral vision.

Working Conditions: Some positions require on-call rotations. All positions require the operation of machinery, powered industrial equipment and motor vehicles. All positions require outdoor work, including during inclement and hot weather, cold, and exposure to waterborne pathogens/agents, hazardous materials and gases, water hazards and wet/slippery surfaces, odors, fumes, humidity, dirt, dust, traffic hazards, venomous pests, uneven surfaces, and electric arc flash potential, exposure to loud noise exceeding 85 dBA over an 8-hour work week.

EEO Information

Pima County Government is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce and will not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, kinship, political interest, or any other characteristic protected by law.