Utility Systems Electrician

County Commissioners of Kent County, MD; Chestertown (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation leave

Holiday pay

Health coverage

Dental & Vision

Job summary

County Commissioners of Kent County, MD seeks an experienced electrician/controls technician to support the County’s water and wastewater systems. You will install, troubleshoot, and repair electrical and control equipment at treatment facilities, pump stations, and other utility infrastructure.

The role requires at least four years of electrical experience, appropriate Maryland licenses, and the ability to participate in on-call rotations and overtime as workload demands.

Qualifications

• Electrical and controls knowledge for industrial systems and safety requirements.
• Documentation and Fiix record-keeping are essential.

Responsibilities

• Install, diagnose, maintain and repair electrical systems at treatment facilities and pump stations.
• Troubleshoot power, drives, PLC/SCADA equipment and instrumentation.
• Read diagrams, schematics and engineering plans to guide repairs and maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with electrical codes and safety standards.
• Attend on-call shifts and assist other County departments as needed.

Skills

Electrical knowledge

Mechanical aptitude

Problem solving

Organization & documentation

Communication & training

Regulatory & safety

Computer skills

Financial skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Maryland Journeyperson/Master Electrician license

License eligibility for Maryland reciprocity

Valid driver’s license

Tools

Fiix

Microsoft Office

Plant-control applications

Job description

Job Summary

Performs skilled electrical, controls, instrumentation and related mechanical work supporting the County’s water and wastewater systems. Installs, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs electrical and control equipment at treatment facilities, pump stations and other utility infrastructure. Provides technical assistance to utility staff and contractors, participates in the on-call rotation, and may perform electrical work for other County departments as workload permits. Reports to the Water and Wastewater Superintendent.

Essential Functions

Functions listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position

• Installs, diagnoses, maintains, and repairs electrical systems and equipment at water and wastewater facilities, pump stations, grinder pumps, and other County facilities as assigned.
• Troubleshoots single- and three-phase power, motors, motor-control centers, starters, control circuits, variable-frequency drives, generators, automatic transfer switches, instrumentation, telemetry, PLC, and SCADA-related equipment.
• Reads and interprets electrical drawings, control diagrams, schematics, equipment manuals, engineering plans, and specifications.
• Performs preventive maintenance and testing; identifies recurring failures and recommends repair, replacement, or system improvements.
• Pulls permits and coordinates required electrical inspections when authorized by applicable licensure and County procedures.
• Coordinates licensed electrical contractors, controls integrators, equipment suppliers, and other specialists when work requires additional expertise, licensing, or resources.
• Documents labor, materials, findings, and completed work directly in Fiix; maintains accurate equipment and maintenance records.
• Maintains an appropriate inventory of electrical parts, controls, test equipment, and critical spares and assists with obtaining quotes and purchasing materials.
• Provides technical assistance and hands-on training to Utility Technicians, plant operators, and other County staff without routinely supervising their personnel activities.
• Participates in the Division’s rotating on-call schedule and responds to electrical, controls, and other utility emergencies outside normal working hours as assigned.
• Assists with water distribution, wastewater collection, mechanical, plumbing, and equipment work when operational needs require.
• Operates County vehicles and light or heavy equipment for which the employee is trained and authorized.
• Performs electrical work for other County departments as Water and Wastewater priorities and workload permit.
• Ensures work complies with the National Electrical Code, applicable MDE and EPA requirements, occupational-safety standards, County procedures, and other applicable laws and regulations.
• Performs other duties as required.
  

Supervision

The position reports to the Water and Wastewater Superintendent. The position does not routinely supervise staff but may provide technical direction to employees assigned to assist with specific work.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The employee is expected to perform or possess the following:

• Electrical and Controls Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of industrial and commercial electrical systems, electrical safety, motor controls, test equipment, schematics, control wiring, generators, VFDs, instrumentation, telemetry, and PLC/SCADA-related equipment.
• Mechanical Aptitude: Working knowledge of pumps, motors, piping, valves, generators, and related water and wastewater equipment.
• Problem Solving: Ability to diagnose complex failures, evaluate alternatives, recognize when specialized assistance is required, and make sound decisions during emergencies.
• Organization and Documentation: Ability to prioritize work, manage multiple assignments, maintain accurate Fiix records, and identify needed follow-up.
• Communication and Training: Ability to explain technical matters clearly, work effectively with staff and contractors, and train employees in safe troubleshooting and maintenance practices.
• Regulatory and Safety Knowledge: Working knowledge of applicable electrical codes, occupational-safety requirements, and MDE and EPA requirements affecting water and wastewater maintenance.
• Computer Skills: Ability to use mobile devices, Fiix or similar maintenance-management software, Microsoft Office, email, internet resources, and plant-control applications.
• Financial Skills: Ability to understand accounting and budgeting related practices and procedures.
• Additional Requirements: Must pass a urinalysis test prior to appointment.
  

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED; relevant electrical coursework, apprenticeship, or technical training preferred.
• At least four years of progressively responsible electrical experience, preferably involving industrial facilities, motor controls, pumps, generators, controls, or water and wastewater systems; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Current Journeyperson or Master Electrician license issued by Maryland or a jurisdiction eligible for Maryland reciprocity, with the ability to obtain the required Maryland license within six months of appointment.
• Maryland statewide Master Electrician license, or demonstrated eligibility and willingness to obtain it within a period established by the County, preferred
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable motor-vehicle record.
• Commercial Driver’s License or ability to obtain one within the period established by the County; Class A CDL preferred.
• Ability to obtain required First Aid, CPR, traffic-control, confined-space, and other safety certifications.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, holidays, scheduled on-call duty, and emergency assignments.
  

Physical and Environmental Conditions

Work is conducted in a variety of indoor/ outdoor settings that can expose the employee to occasional discomforts from exposure to less than optimal temperature and air conditions. The position routinely requires lifting of heavy items, such as equipment, boxes (up to 80 pounds) and/or very long periods of walking on a routine basis, and/or standing for long periods of time and/or frequently requires stooping and bending.

There are frequent exposures to extreme levels of temperature, air pollution, noise pollution, chemical gases and substances, and/or contagious diseases.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices or meeting rooms, e.g. use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls and observance of fire regulations.

Benefits

• Vacation, Sick, and Personal Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Long-Term Disability & Short-Term Disability Coverage
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Tuition Reimbursement

Kent County Government provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.

This and all County positions are subject to transfer, based on need.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.