Plant Electrician/Instrumentation Technician

MarBorg Recovery; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

MarBorg Recovery is seeking a Plant Electrician & Instrumentation Technician in Santa Barbara to install, maintain, and repair electrical systems for an MRF. The role covers PLC programming, SCADA, VFDs, and high/low voltage work in a heavy machinery environment.

You will diagnose faults, support system upgrades, read schematics, and collaborate with vendors. A strong safety mindset and willingness to work nights/weekends are required.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of applicable electrical experience.
• Field experience with various SCADA systems.
• Knowledge of electrical systems and schematics.
• Ability to calibrate, test, functionally check instrumentation, analyzers, control systems and control elements.
• Ability to read electrical blueprints, diagrams, and connection drawings.
• Able to work with 480v, 3-phase systems down to 24V control circuits.
• Valid driver’s license; willingness to work outside normal hours.

Responsibilities

• Performs planned maintenance inspections and repairs major equipment.
• Troubleshoot PLC-based control systems at field level.
• Support VFDs, soft starters, and motor feedback devices.
• Work with low-voltage control panels and industrial networking components.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics and diagrams.
• Generate work orders and track repair progress.
• Lead others by assigning and reviewing work as needed.
• Maintain inventory of maintenance parts and coordinate with vendors.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA systems

VFD operation

Electrical troubleshooting

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Technical school/apprenticeship

CA C10 Electrical Contractors License ideal

NFPA 70E certification ideal

Tools

Electrical test equipment

SCADA software

PLC programming software

Job description

About this position

FLSA EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt, hourly

PREPARED DATE:August 2026

REPORTS TO: Maintenance Manager

DIRECT REPORTS: None

POSITION SUMMARY:Plant Electrician & Instrumentation Technician is responsible for safely and effectively installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical wiring, equipment and fixtures within our Material Recovery Facility (MRF). Must have knowledge of and working experience with PLC programming and maintenance, VFD operation and installation, soft starters, and high voltage and low voltage systems. The Plant Electrician Tech must be up to date on relevant electrical codes. Position is to ensure functionality and reliability and availability of heavy machinery, conveyors, screens, shredders, and facility building.

A TYPICAL DAY: This is not just a job; this is a dedicated team determined to redefine waste recovery. We believe in making a difference every hour, every day. Our positive energy and time are invested for the purpose of a cleaner future for our county, next generation, and a greener environment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performs planned maintenance inspection (PM); diagnose, repair, and rebuild major equipment/components including but not limited to balers, conveyors, hydraulic power packs, eddy currents, electro-magnetic belts, optical sorters, diverters, compressors, trash compactors, motors, glass breakers, wire tie systems, fans, pumps, forklifts, front-end loaders and building equipment.Troubleshoot PLC-based control systems at field level, including proximity sensors, photo eyes, encoders, pressure and temperature devices, interlocks, permissives, and safety circuits.Support variable frequency drives, soft starters, and motor feedback devices.Work with low-voltage control panels, terminal blocks, power supplies, and industrial networking components.Ability to develop knowledge base for facility SCADA systems with ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, and improve SCADA systems.Make necessary repairs to plant production equipment and support equipment as required.Maintain inventory control of maintenance repair parts. Must be able and willing to work with outside vendors as it pertains to troubleshooting and repairing any and all equipment necessary to our operation.Make initial inspection on equipment to be repaired and diagnose defects.Generate work orders and evaluate repair work on its completion.Perform highly technical work on hydraulic systems, fabrication projects, and rebuilding assignments.Locate, correct and adjust defects in light and heavy duty vehicular and mechanical equipment.Adapt available tools and repair parts to specific repair problems.Read and interpret and work from sketches, diagrams, and electrical schematics.Acts as a lead worker by regularly instructing and directing others by assigning, reviewing and checking work.Inspects the quality of third‑party repairs and or rebuilds.Recommends measures to improve production, equipment performance and product qualityAbility to multi-task and manage multiple priorities.Performs service calls for emergency breakdowns.Ability to perform under limited supervision.Requires a flexible work schedule, which may include nights and weekends to support operating schedule and the needs of the facility.Bilingual in Spanish and English a plus

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:None

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

Technical ability, circuit knowledge, programming, problem solving, communication, preventative maintenance, advanced troubleshooting.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Doing Good - (i.e. Code of Conduct).Making Good - (i.e. Accountability, responsibility and ownership for a problem).Treating People Well - (i.e. Works cooperatively and effectively with others).Environmentally Focused (i.e. Employee takes initiative as a LEED building initiative to preserve and improve our local environment for future generations).Observant: (i.e. Employee can identify safety or operational deficiency’s and to quickly implement a correction).Safety Matters: Employee actively participates and promotes a safe and healthy workplace.

QUALIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE:

8+ years of applicable electrical experience.Field experience with various SCADA systems.Knowledge of electrical systems and schematics.Ability to calibrate, test, functionally check instrumentation, analyzers, control systems and control elements.Optimize work activities related to planned and unplanned equipment outages.Ability to read electrical blueprints, diagrams, and connection drawings.Able to work with 480v, 3-phase systems down to 24V control circuitsAbility to multi-task and manage multiple priorities.Valid driver’s license.Ability to perform under limited supervision.

Ability to work safely and institute safe work practices.

Industrial electrical and instrumentation maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair experience- being able to diagnose the issue on site and present the optimal solution.Experience working with relevant large machinery is beneficial.Excellent teamwork & customer relations skills.Willingness to work outside normal working hours and to spend nights on location if necessary.

EDUCATION:

A high school diploma or general education degree (GED) and technical school/apprenticeship.CA C10 Electrical Contractors License is ideal but not required. NFPA 70E experience or certification is ideal but not required.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Position may involve working alone, but sometimes will collaborate with others. Requires excellent verbal and written English communication skills including; ability to read, comprehend, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. On the jobsite, occasionally work in cramped spaces. The long periods of standing and kneeling can be tiring.

Manual dexterity to write legibly and to use electrical test equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Must be able to see color to discern color‑coded wiring.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

We are a drug free & alcohol-free work environment.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work closely with all team members to ensure that work is done in a safe manner.Work outdoors in appropriate personal protective equipment, including rain, cold, and heat.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, and outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious, confined places; fumes or airborne particles; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and dirty. Required to put on protective outfits, like gloves, safety footwear, and hardhat.

Salary Information

$40 - $50Hourly Wage

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