Instrumentation Technician (Clackamas Water Environment Services)

Clackamas County; Oregon City (OR); On-site; USD 93,000 - 118,000; Full time

Job summary

Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) is seeking an Instrumentation Technician to join the Operations team. You will install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize control systems that monitor wastewater treatment operations.

You will work with PLCs, DCS, HMIs, instrumentation, and industrial networks, collaborating with operations and maintenance staff to ensure reliable performance.

Qualifications

• Experience with PLCs, SCADA, and HMIs used to monitor and control wastewater treatment systems.
• Ability to install, calibrate flow meters and transmitters (temperature, pressure, level).
• Ability to read PLC code for troubleshooting instrumentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Basic understanding of industrial networks.

Responsibilities

• Designs, installs, tests, and upgrades control and monitoring systems (DCS, HMI, PLC).
• Inspects and maintains electrical equipment and sensors (motors, panels, sensors).
• Performs computer hardware/software maintenance for wastewater systems and troubleshoots networks.
• Supports projects, develops estimates, and reviews components for safety and effectiveness.
• Collaborates with end users to analyze needs and maintains operating manuals.

Skills

PLCs

SCADA

HMIs

Flow meters

Transmitters

PLC code reading

Microsoft Office

Industrial networks

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Allen-Bradley PLCs

AVEVA Intouch

Win 911

Touch panels

Job description

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Monday, October 26, 2026.

Please Note: The application deadline may be extended to expand the pool of qualified candidates. Any recruitment timeline changes will be communicated to all who have initiated an application process or have submitted an application.

COMPENSATION

Annual Pay Range: $92,582.93 - $118,258.56

Hourly Pay Range: $44.511024 - $56.855077

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Clackamas Water Environment Services (WES) is seeking a skilledInstrumentation Technicianto join our Operations team. This position plays an important role in ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the systems that support our community’s wastewater treatment infrastructure.

If selected for this position, you will install, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize the hardware and software systems that monitor and control wastewater treatment plant operations. You will play an important role on project teams, helping define equipment and software requirements, establish and maintain programming standards, and design and implement control systems that support efficient and safe operations.

This role works with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), instrumentation, electrical equipment, industrial networks, and process-control systems. You will troubleshoot complex technical issues, implement system improvements, maintain critical equipment, and collaborate closely with operations and maintenance staff to ensure systems perform as designed.

This is an excellent opportunity for a technically skilled professional who enjoys a combination of electrical work, industrial automation, instrumentation, computer systems, troubleshooting, and project work.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:

• A
• Experience working with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and human-machine interfaces (HMIs)
• Experience installing and calibrating flow meters, temperature transmitters, pressure transmitters, and level transmitters
• Experience reading and understanding programmable logic controller (PLC) code for troubleshooting instrumentation
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite
• Basic understanding of industrial networks

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:

• Experience working in related fields such as communications and programming
• Experience programming with Siemens, Allen-Bradley programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and touch panels
• Experience programming with Aveva Intouch
• Experience programming with Smart Sights Win 911
• Experience troubleshooting variable frequency drives (VFDs) and motor controlsExperience using
• Experience setting up and maintaining industrial networks

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must pass a post-offer physical assessment; accommodation requests will be reviewed on an individual bases in compliance with State and Federal legislation.
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment.

Post-Employment Requirements:

• Must obtain a State of Oregon Limited Maintenance Electrician (LME) License within three (3) years of hire. WES will work with the selected incumbent in meeting the required classroom and on-the-job training hours pursuant to LME licensure.

*For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

TYPICAL TASKS

• Designs,upgrades, programs,installs, andtestsnewandrepairedcontrolandmonitoring systems suchasdistributedcontrolsystems(DCS),humanmachineinterface(HMI)andprogrammablelogic controllers(PLC);calibrates instruments andinstallsorrepairsequipment toprescribed specifications.
• Inspects,monitors,repairs and replaces electrical equipmentandcomponents,includingelectric motors,motorcontrolpanels,electric monitoring andcontrol systems,flowmeters,temperature, pressure and level sensors; examines, adjusts and replaces existing wiring motors fuses,motor starters,switches,generator controls,transformers,sensors and electroniccomponents.
• Performs computer hardware and software maintenance forwastewater systems;adjusts controlalgorithms andtroubleshoots computersystems,software andnetworks;upgrades firmware andsoftware,recovershistoricaldata,andorganizes andbacksupsystemsfiles.
• Participatesinthedesignandimplementationofnewconstructionandmaintenanceprojects;assistsinthedevelopment of contract proposals and specifications; recommends cost-effective solutions to meet technical needs; develops time and costestimates tocomplete projects;reviews network,instrumentationand electrical componentsfor compliance tosafety standardsandoperationaleffectiveness;prepares schematics and reports to reflect changes or alterations made inequipment,circuits,andsystems.
• Confers with end users to analyze and assess needs of the wastewater system resources;prepares and maintains operating manuals and training guides to support technical operations; generates reports regarding system optimization and usage.
• Maintainsrecords,supplies,andequipmentforprocessandcontrol systems;maintains inventory of instrumentation equipment.
• Leads the work of other personnel assigned to large and/or complex electrical wastewater projects; checks work for compliance with safety, State electrical codes, and operational standards; provides feedback to supervisor as necessary.

View the full classification specification.

KEY COMPETENCIES

Working knowledge of:Applicable laws, and regulations related to OSHA, DEQ, MSDS, and Oregon Electrical codes; wastewater treatment processes and control strategies; electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical theory and practices; process control techniques; software applications for interfacing with remote plant equipment and retrieving data; physics of flow and level applications using basic math and algebra; schematics interpretation; recordkeeping techniques; basic supervisory and project management techniques.

Skill to:Program PLC’s using various software packages; program control systems; upgrade firmware updates; back up system applications; purchase, inventory and maintain records for systems, equipment and software; install, troubleshoot, and repair DCS and PLC systems, hardware, equipment and programming; read and interpret P&ID loops, electrical schematics, technical manuals; calibrate and troubleshoot instrumentation; plan testing procedures; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; coordinate the work of others; establish and maintain effective working relationships with contractors, officials of government agencies, County employees and the public.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a standard workweek of Tuesday through Friday (Mondays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is designated as on-site/in-person. It is expected that the selected candidate will perform duties at the specified on-site work location.

This position is designated as "essential", which means employees MUST report to work or remain at work as scheduled or as otherwise specifically directed during inclement weather, disaster, or other natural or human-caused incidents.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Duties require physical labor, including walking, reaching, squatting, kneeling, bending, balancing, climbing, shoveling, fine motor control, and ability to lift up to 50 pounds, carry, and push/pull up to 70 pounds. Duties also involve exposure to bacteria, viruses and toxins in wastewater, chemicals, exhaust fumes and dust, loud noises, and vibration. Some duties involve exposure to adverse weather conditions and hazardous locations, such as streets, live sewers, confined underground areas and on elevated platforms.

Incumbents may perform after-hours emergency response on a callout basis.