Electrical Technician I, II, Electrician

Valley Center Municipal Water District is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Electrical Technician I, Electrical Technician II or Electrician. Under general supervision of the Pumps and Motors Supervisor, incumbents in the Electrical Technician I position perform a variety of entry level duties. They are responsible for assisting senior personnel and perform routine activities while acquiring the knowledge and skills to perform higher-level work related to installing, maintaining, inspecting, troubleshooting and repairing electrical and electronic components. The Electrical Technician II is the journey level class. Incumbents are fully competent in 120-volt electrical work and are expected to perform basic journey level duties including installing, maintaining, inspecting, troubleshooting and repairing electrical and electronic components at Water and Wastewater facilities. Incumbents may work a varied work week, different shifts, stand duty and must be able to respond to emergencies as deemed necessary by the District. Incumbents in the Electrician position perform the full range and the most complex duties related to designing, installing, maintaining, inspecting, troubleshooting and repairing electrical and electronic systems and components. Incumbents are lead workers and may serve as a crew leader.  

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Incumbents in the Electrical Technician I level may perform some of the duties and responsibilities in a learning capacity.

Follows safe work methods as defined in the District’s qualification requirements for Energized Electrical Work and the use of safety equipment and precautions related to the work being performed, particularly when dealing with live electrical circuits. Assists and learns to test, troubleshoot, repair and perform preventive maintenance on a variety of industrial electrical and electronic systems, components and devices; utilizes appropriate electrical testing equipment. Installs, tests, troubleshoots, and repairs communication radios, transducers, security cameras, lighting equipment and simple electrical controls. Assists and learns to plan, purchase and install various electrical equipment and components in accordance with the National Electric Code. Equipment includes motor control centers and components, motor starters, variable frequency drives, programmable logic controllers, photovoltaic inverters and modules, back-up generation systems, transformers, circuit breakers, relays, security cameras, communication radios, lighting and control systems, and/or other related equipment.

Assists and learns to plan and lay out jobs from blueprints, drawings, sketches or verbal instructions; maintain electrical system drawings, “as-built” drawings and records of electrical work performed by in-house personnel and outside contractors. Learns to read and interpret electrical schematic drawings and instruction manuals to install, troubleshoot, and repair or replace electrical equipment, electronic components, and circuits. Assist and learns to test, troubleshoot and calibrate, repair and perform preventive maintenance on a variety of mechanical equipment in relation to the operation of water and wastewater facilities.

Incumbents in the Electrician position serve as a crew lead which includes: assigning and monitoring work; ensuring safety standards and procedures are followed, as defined in the District’s qualification requirements for Energized Electrical Work; ensures the use of safety equipment and precautions related to the work being performed, particularly when dealing with live electrical circuits; trains lower level staff on work practices and procedures, and maintains records. Performs a variety of pump duties which includes pump pulling and rebuilding, efficiency testing, pump adjustments, packing and alignment, and/or other related activities. Troubleshoots and repairs problems with pump and motor controls to include starters, soft-starts, variable frequency drives and relays, programmable logic controllers, sensors, and/or other related controls. Repairs and replaces defective parts in motors, generators, storage batteries, solar-generating equipment, switchboards, conductors, switches, and other industrial electrical fixtures in making additions, extensions and modifications in electrical systems; installs, maintains, and repairs electromechanical and electrical components of equipment and machinery, including transformers. Tests, troubleshoots, calibrates and performs preventive maintenance on a variety of complex electrical and electronic instruments and devices, such as programmable logic controllers, analog and digital systems, communication systems equipment, software-based control and instrumentation logic, including soft/start, VFD and microprocessor-based controllers. Plans, purchases and installs various electrical and electronic components and systems in accordance with NEC, local and national codes, and safety requirements. Ensures installed equipment meets all requirements and specifications, schematic drawings, and verbal instructions. Equipment includes motor control panels and systems, PLCs, VFDs, security cameras, lighting and convenience systems, back-up generation systems, level sensors, and/or other related equipment. Develops and writes ladder logic control programs for pump stations, reservoir sites, and lift stations; makes program modifications to various programmable controllers (PLC’s) and their operator interface terminals. Performs preventive maintenance and new installations on various electrical systems, fan motors, valves, compressors, pump appliances, starter motors, HVAC controls and ventilating equipment.

(A more detailed job description can be found on the District’s website http://www.valleycenterwater.org/Jobs).

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Knowledge of: Electrical circuits, control panels, motor starters, variable frequency drives, programmable logic controllers, photovoltaic systems and distribution systems for various types of pumps; preventive maintenance practices and procedures as applied to electrical systems; methods used in the installation, maintenance, repair and operation of electrical circuits and related equipment; electrical theory and applied mathematics; applicable laws and regulations to include CAL-OSHA, OSHA, District safety regulations and current National Electrical Code; principles, methods and application of electrical theory as used in the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair of electrical systems up to 600 volts; telephone and radio communications; using a computer and related software applications, including Word, Excel, and Email; basic first aid and CPR techniques; and, safe work methods and safety precautions related to the work.

Ability to: Perform varied electrical maintenance and repair work; program motor starters, variable frequency drives, and photovoltaic systems; diagnose problems and determine appropriate course of action; interpret and work from sketches, blueprints and specifications; estimate labor and materials; identify and implement effective courses of action to complete assigned work; maintain, troubleshoot, repair, inspect, test and install a wide variety of electrical components and equipment; prepare “as-builts” of work performed; determine proper shut-down procedures for pump, motor, and engine operations; perform Lock-Out, Tag-Out procedures for electrical equipment; install, troubleshoot and repair or replace circuit breakers up to 240 volts, electric motors up to 240 volts, low water probes, and relays; install PVC, EMT, and Ridged Conduit and associated components; operate and maintain a wide variety of shop equipment and tools used in the performance of the work; install, troubleshoot, and replace communication radios, lighting equipment, pressure transducers, simple electrical controls, security cameras and motion sensors; communicate clearly and concisely and be understood while using the District’s radio communication system; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and those contacted in the course of the work.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Education: Equivalent to a High School Diploma.

Experience: Electrical Technician I: An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Electrical Technician II: A minimum of two years of experience working with pumps, motors and electrical controls; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above

Electrician- A minimum of five years of experience working with pumps, motors and electrical controls; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

Licensing Requirements: Electrical Technician I: California Class C Driver’s License; Ability to obtain within two years as a condition of employment: SWRCB (State Water Resources Control Board) Water Distribution Operator’s Certificate, Grade D2, Enrollment in a California approved Electrician Certification Program.

Electrical Technician II: California Class C Driver’s License; SWRCB (State Water Resources Control Board) Water Distribution Operator’s Certificate, Grade D2; Completion of one year of a California approved Electrician Certification Program; Ability to obtain within four years as a condition of employment: Journeyman General Electrician Training Program Certification of Completion from an approved California Electrician Certification Program School.

Electrician- California Class C Driver’s License; Journeyman Electrician’s License or Journeyman General Electrician Training Program Certification from an approved California Electrician Certification Program School. Ability to obtain within two years as a condition of employment: SWRCB (State Water Resources Control Board) Water Distribution Operator’s Certificate, Grade D2.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

A District Application is required for consideration for this position and is available online at www.valleycenterwater.org or at our District office located at 29300 Valley Center Road, Valley Center. Office hours are 7:00am to 4:30pm Monday – Thursday and 7:00am to 3:30pm on Friday. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed District application. Please direct any questions to Stephanie Lackerdas at (760) 735-4525.

The provisions of this notice do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision in this notice may be modified or revoked without notice. Persons selected for employment will be required to take, and pass, a pre- employment physical, drug screen and background check. They will also be required to present documents establishing qualifications, personal identity and the legal right to work in the United States. The District makes reasonable accommodations for the disabled. If candidates require special arrangements to participate in the interview process, they should state their needs when invited to participate in an oral panel interview. Valley Center Municipal Water District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.