SENIOR INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN (TEMPORARY)

City of Buffalo; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Buffalo Sewer Authority seeks a Senior Instrument Technician to install, repair, maintain, and adjust instruments controlling wastewater process variables. You will diagnose hardware/software issues in real-time control systems and support training for operational staff.

The role requires strong calibration, testing, and documentation skills within a public utility setting. You will oversee Instrument Technicians, contribute to maintenance scheduling, and participate in budgeting and reporting

Qualifications

• Must have formal education in mechanical, electrical or electronic technology with qualifying experience in maintenance or installation of electronic/industrial equipment.
• Experience diagnosing hardware and software problems in real-time processing computers is required.
• Open competitive process with multiple qualification paths (A–D) as listed.

Responsibilities

• Install, repair, maintain and adjust control instruments for flows, temperature and pressure.
• Troubleshoot and replace defective parts in control systems and instruments.
• Test assemblies to ensure conformance with specifications and calibrate as needed.
• Prepare reports, maintain records and assist in budgeting for the area.
• Supervise and train Instrument Technicians and other staff as required.

Skills

Maintenance & repair

Instrumentation

Troubleshooting

Control systems knowledge

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical/electrical/electronic technology

Associate's degree in mechanical/electrical/electronic technology

High School diploma with related coursework

Equivalent combination of education/experience

Tools

Voltmeters

Ammeters

Oscilloscopes

Resistance bridges

Potentiometers

Job description

This is a highly skilled position involved in installing, repairing, maintaining and adjusting instruments used to measure and control variables in the Wastewater Treatment Plant and sub-stations. The Senior Instrument Technician is responsible for providing technical maintenance and administrative support for real-time process control computer systems utilized in the treatment plant. The incumbent diagnoses and corrects computer hardware and software problems which includes creating and modifying hard copy reports, color cathode-ray tube graphics, sewage plant process control diagrams, energy management control programs and maintenance scheduling programs. The Senior Instrument Technician assists staff in usage, training and maintenance of direct digital and analog control systems. The incumbent exercises considerable leeway for the use of independent actions/judgment in carrying out technical details. Incumbent provides supervision, guidance and assistance to Instrument Technicians. Supervision shall be exercised over the work of subordinate employees.

• Installs, repairs, maintains and adjusts indication, recording, telemonitoring, and controlling instruments used to measure and control variables such as flows, temperature, pressure, motion, forces and chemical addition using tools and precision instruments;
• Disassembles malfunctioning instruments and examines and tests mechanisms and circuitry for defects;
• Troubleshoots equipment in or out of control systems and replaces or repairs defective parts;
• Reassembles instruments and tests assembly for conformance with specifications using instruments such as potentiometer, resistance bridge, manometer and pressure gauge;
• Inspects instruments periodically and makes minor calibration adjustments to assure functioning within specified standards;
• Performs preventive maintenance of computer equipment and peripheral equipment including but not limited to analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, magnetic tape transport, card reader, system printers, input/output teletype, CRT monitor and mass memory disc, modems, servers, cabling, CD-roms;
• Maintains computer software including creating/modifying written documentation related to programs, control loops and operational and maintenance aspects of computers;
• creates/modifies color graphic displays, logs, sequence control loops, preventive maintenance programs, files and data base.
• Diagnoses computer hardware problems and isolating to major component level using established diagnostic programs or test programs;
• Trains operational and maintenance personnel in the proper use of input and output devices associated with digital control systems;
• Maintains computer hard copy material;
• Detects and makes repairs to any type of instrumentation or controls including hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical, electro-mechanical systems and electronic systems;
• Modifies and creates operational procedures for each function and devices associated with the system;

Promotional

Continuous and permanent status in the Buffalo Sewer Authority as an Instrument Technician one year.

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES (cont'd.)

• Assists consulting engineers and departmental personnel in evaluating existing and anticipated related needs;
• Prepares annual budget for area of responsibility;
• Prepares various reports and maintains records relative to work performed, materials used and man hours expended;
• Supervises and trains the development of Instrument Technicians;
• Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (cont'd.)

Open Competitive

• (A) Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in mechanical, electrical or electronic technology and one year of qualifying experience*
• (B) Associate's Degree from an accredited college, university or technical institute in mechanical, electrical or electronic technology and three years of qualifying experience*
• (C) Graduation from High School, GED or equivalency diploma with coursework in mechanical, electrical or electronic technology and five years of qualifying experience*
• (D) An equivalent combination of the foregoing as defined within the limits of A, B, and C.

*QUALIFYING EXPERIENCE

• Must be full-time paid experience in one of the following areas: Maintenance, repair or installation of electronic or industrial equipment or systems;
• OR, Diagnosing and correcting hardware and software problems associated with real-time processing computers.

NOTE: Verifiable part-time experience will be pro-rated to meet full time experience requirements.

• Thorough knowledge of the techniques, materials and tools used in repairing, adjusting and testing of various electrical and non-electrical precision instruments;
• Skill in the use of voltmeters, ammeters, wattmeters, galvanometers, signal generators, oscilloscopes, potentiometers, resistance bridges and other precision recording and indicating instruments;
• Ability to understand and interpret technical manuals, including drawings, specifications, lay-outs, blueprints and schematics;
• Ability to understand and interpret written and oral instructions;
• Ability to get along well with others;
• Thorough knowledge of utilization and potential of real-time electronic computer processing including magnetic tape, disc, cathode ray tubes, analog to digital converters and other analog input/output devices;
• Good knowledge of software facilities such as data communications, memory mapping, data base management and system documentation;
• Working knowledge of industrial instrumentation equipment and concepts;
• Ability to prepare and give reports both orally and in writing;
• Ability to isolate hardware problems through the use of software;
• Ability to prepare computer and computer peripheral equipment operational manuals;
• Ability to understand the basic sewage treatment principles as they relate to computer controlled equipment;
• Ability to perform the operational functions associated with computers including card punches, card readers, teletypes, data modems and mag-tape drives;
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.