Instrumentation Technician

CHARLES COUNTY GOVERNMENT; La Plata (MD); On-site; USD 51,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles County Government seeks an Instrumentation Technician to maintain electronics equipment in the Utilities Division of the Department of Public Works, installing and servicing 4-20 mA instruments and process controllers across water facilities and pumping stations.

The role requires troubleshooting PLCs, documenting calibration and repairs, and ensuring electrical and instrumentation systems operate safely and reliably countywide.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; three years of instrument/electronics experience or electrical work experience.
• Valid driver's license; Journeyman Electrician preferred.
• Willingness to work beyond normal hours and be on-call.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoots and performs electronics maintenance functions for the Division’s water and sewer systems.
• Repairs and installs 0-480 voltage electrical equipment.
• Installs instrumentation at water/sewage facilities and pumping stations; modifies equipment as needed.
• Inspects facilities to ensure proper operation of instrumentation and takes remedial action.
• Programs and troubleshoots PLCs using ladder logic and functional blocks.
• Maintains records on testing, calibration, and repairs of instruments and equipment.

Skills

Electronics maintenance

Instrumentation

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Electrical safety

Education

High school diploma or GED

3 years instrument/electronics experience

Tools

INFOR CMMS

4-20 mA instrumentation

Voltage testing equipment

Job description

The hiring salary for this position is $60,060.20annually.

Open until filled with a best consideration date of September 16, 2026. This posting may close without notice.

Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Instrumentation Technician to carry out the maintenance of electronics equipment in the Utilities Division of the Department of Public Works; organize and perform the installation, modification, maintenance, and repair of complex electronics used in water facilities, treatment plants, pumping stations and metering vaults. Technician will maintain and troubleshoot electrical equipment throughout the County. This position will install new 4-20 ma instruments and equipment and ensure process controllers and computers are functioning properly and changes control logic parameters, where allowable and necessary, and electronic equipment and various types of instrumentations are functioning properly. Maintains records on testing, calibration, and repairs of instruments and equipment.

• Troubleshoots and performs electronics maintenance functions for the Division’s water and sewer systems.
• Repairs and installs 0-480 voltage electrical equipment.
• Performs the installation of instrumentation used in water and sewage pumping stations, water and sewer treatment facilities, and similar equipment in various locations, etc.
• Inspects facilities for proper operation of instrumentation and determines what defects exist and remedial action required.
• Investigates space and equipment in existing equipment and possible effects of proposed equipment on the system.
• Performs inspections at new facilities to assure that equipment is working properly and in accordance with specifications.
• Programs and troubleshoots PLCs (programmable logic controllers) using ladder logic and functional control block programming.
• Ensures that process controllers and computers are functioning properly and changes control logic parameters where allowable and necessary.
• Ensures that electronic equipment and various types of instrumentations functions properly.
• Maintains records on testing, calibration, and repairs of instruments and equipment.
• Uses industrial test equipment such as amp meters, voltmeters, manometers, , and specialized test equipment to monitor and calibrate electronic and instrumentation systems.
• Prepares record drawings of modifications to existing systems.
• Performs related electronic tasks.
• Performs maintenance and troubleshoots automated control processors.
• Follows proper safety procedures for electronic/instrumentation/communication work.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.
• Uses computerized maintenance data system (INFOR), to keep track of work orders.
• Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair electrical control systems operating at 0–120 VAC.
• Maintain and repair electrical components, including lighting systems, receptacles, heaters, and small appliances.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). Three (3) years of experience at the level of instrument/electronics technician; electrical work experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications:

Must possess a valid driver's license.

Preferred Journeyman Electrician.

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.

Subject to call back in emergencies.

Serve on-call duty on a rotational basis.

May work in confined space areas.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods and practices involved in installing, maintaining, and operating a wide variety of electronic equipment.
• Knowledge of the standard practices and materials of the instrumentation trade.
• Knowledge of possible defects and faults in the gear common to those trades and of effective corrective measures.
• Knowledge of 4-20Madc and basic relay operation.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the solution of technical problems with review made on the final results obtained.
• Ability to research, read, understand, and apply information in technical bulletins, service manuals, and operations manuals.
• Ability to work from drawings and specifications.
• Ability to perform the construction, troubleshooting, and maintenance of major process control instrumentation installations.
• Ability to have satisfactory working relationships.
• Ability to use the tools and equipment of the field effectively.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to pass annual Pulmonary Breathing Function Test (will be required to be clean-shaven).
• Ability to enter confined spaces, with proper training.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is regularly active with periods of heavy exertion. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; climb tanks and towers; lift and carry up to 75 pounds; climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding; bend, kneel, crouch and crawl; reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; feel the size, shape, and temperature of items; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, to detect odors, and to differentiate all colors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office, in shop or field settings and outside environment. This is a sewage treatment plant and employee is subject to hazards of that environment; exposed to raw sewage; and exposed to inclement weather.

Department/Division: Public Work/Utilities/Maintenance Support

Pay Grade: 112

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports To: Equipment Maintenance Supervisor

Supervises: None