Tier 1 Controls Technician (Instrument Technician)

West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Grand Rapids, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Grand Rapids seeks an Instrument Technician to install, test, repair, commission and calibrate instrumentation at its water and wastewater facilities. You will work under supervision with opportunities to train junior staff and manage networked instrumentation systems.

The role requires a strong background in electronics, SCADA, PLC/HMI systems, and network cabling, with CCNA preferred and a focus on safety and documentation.

Qualifications

• Two years of college-level coursework or an associate's degree in Electronics Technology or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible experience in instrument calibration, controls, troubleshooting, and/or maintenance.
• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience.
• Cisco CCNA certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintains and calibrates controls instrumentation to ensure proper operation.
• Troubleshoots, repairs and maintains PLCs, HMIs, and network infrastructure for SCADA.
• Provides end-user training and assists in writing bid specifications.
• Repairs ethernet wiring, circuits, and devices in field and bench settings.
• Reads blueprints and SCADA diagrams; reviews and updates as needed.
• Prepares written reports for management and identifies firewall settings.
• Maintains service records and inventory of parts.
• Installs and troubleshoots remote SCADA sites and overall network infrastructure.

Skills

Initiative

Interpersonal skills

Troubleshooting

AutoCAD

Network troubleshooting

Written communication

Documentation

Education

CCNA certification

Tools

SCADA software

PLC/HMI programming tools

Ethernet & network cabling

Job description

Nature of Work

The purpose of this job is to perform technical work installing, testing, repairing, commissioning and calibrating instruments, controls, gauges and other equipment used at the City's Water and Wastewater facilities. Performs work under the general supervision of the Information Systems Coordinator/Instrument Technician Supervisor. Guides and trains employees with less experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Ensures equipment is in proper working order by maintaining and calibrating all controls of a variety of controls instrumentation
• Troubleshoots, repairs and maintains programmable logic controllers, human/machine interfaces and associated network infrastructure using proprietary development software as well as other commercial and open-source applications needed to operate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) controls
• Provides training and assistance for end-users on application software. Assists in writing specifications of material put out to bid
• Troubleshoots and repairs ethernet wiring, circuits, and devices; makes other controls instrument repairs both in the field and on the bench
• Reads and interprets blueprints and drawings of SCADA controls diagrams and schematics; review and updates as necessary
• Performs various duties related to plant operation including identifying necessary network firewall settings to meet Information Technology and user requirements and preparing written documents and reports for management
• Maintains records of provided services and inventory of instrumentation controls parts used for repairs
• Performs basic radiotelephone/radio telemetry site survey to install or troubleshoot new or nonfunctioning remote Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition sites
• Installs, maintains, and repairs network infrastructure, including cables, terminals, programmable logic controllers, and other peripherals

Nature of Work

The purpose of this job is to perform technical work installing, testing, repairing, commissioning and calibrating instruments, controls, gauges and other equipment used at the City's Water and Wastewater facilities. Performs work under the general supervision of the Information Systems Coordinator/Instrument Technician Supervisor. Guides and trains employees with less experience.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Ensures equipment is in proper working order by maintaining and calibrating all controls of a variety of controls instrumentation
• Troubleshoots, repairs and maintains programmable logic controllers, human/machine interfaces and associated network infrastructure using proprietary development software as well as other commercial and open-source applications needed to operate Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) controls
• Provides training and assistance for end-users on application software. Assists in writing specifications of material put out to bid
• Troubleshoots and repairs ethernet wiring, circuits, and devices; makes other controls instrument repairs both in the field and on the bench
• Reads and interprets blueprints and drawings of SCADA controls diagrams and schematics; review and updates as necessary
• Performs various duties related to plant operation including identifying necessary network firewall settings to meet Information Technology and user requirements and preparing written documents and reports for management
• Maintains records of provided services and inventory of instrumentation controls parts used for repairs
• Performs basic radiotelephone/radio telemetry site survey to install or troubleshoot new or nonfunctioning remote Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition sites
• Installs, maintains, and repairs network infrastructure, including cables, terminals, programmable logic controllers, and other peripherals
• Performs related work as required

Minimum Training and Experience
Required Education and Experience

• Two (2) years of relevant college-level course work or an associate's degree in Electronics Technology or a related field

--AND--

• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in instrument calibration, controls, troubleshooting, and/or maintenance

--OR--

• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities

Preferred Qualification

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Other Necessary Qualifications
Knowledge of:

• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment
• Instrumentation controls devices, such as circuits, switches, breakers, wiring, and the like, and of safety precautions and hazards related to electricity
• Methods, practices, techniques, and equipment related to the calibration of instruments, controls, gauges water and gas flowmeters, level sensors, online analyzers & probes.
• Functional understanding of wired, radio, and fiber optic telecommunications/networking
• Water treatment and wastewater plant operations and procedures
• Geographic Information System Cartography Programmable Logic Controllers function is also required
• Complete understanding of confined space entry and supervision
• Understanding of wired, radio, and fiber optic telecommunications/networking
• Safety standards
• Vendor management

Skill in:

• Taking initiative to start jobs and manage through to completion
• CISCO certifications for work on switches and other hardware
• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments
• Computer and telecommunication hardware
• Troubleshooting
• Repair methods
• Research
• AutoCAD and other image manipulation software
• Effective written and oral communication

Ability to:

• Manage time appropriately to meet schedules and deadlines of work.
• Coordinate materials requisitions from Vendors, and oversee contractor installs on site
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Read and understand blueprints, equipment manuals and engineering drawings
• Retrieve installation/Operations and Maintenance manuals
• Record drawings from internal (City) and external (equipment manufacturer) sources
• Maintain records related to inventory and duty performance

Additional Postings available from City of Grand Rapids