Senior Instrumentation Technician

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, performs a variety of specialized and technical duties at the advanced journey level involving treatment plant and distribution systems requiring specialized skills, knowledge, and certification pertaining to treatment plant control instrumentation; calibrates and maintains water quality in treatment, distribution, instrumentation, communications, and systems to provide water service required by the agency’s customers; leads, trains and provides work direction to assigned staff, and performs other related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey-level class in the Instrumentation class series. This class performs the more complex duties of instrumentation activity.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from the Electrical/Instrumentation Supervisor. May exercise technical direction over assigned staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS  (Illustrative Only)

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs a variety of skilled, technical duties in the development, installation, modification and maintenance of telecommunication, process control, supervisory control, data collection and telemetry systems.
• Installs and maintains sophisticated instrumentation and control systems, including pressure and level recorders, programmable logic controllers, relays, and computers as well as their control software; develops and uses diagnostic problem-solving techniques.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, repairs, and builds control system and water quality instruments; maintains and troubleshoots software and hardware.
• Tests, troubleshoots, and calibrates repairs and performs preventive maintenance on a variety of instrumentation control systems, components and devices associated with the operation of a large, state-of-the-art water treatment and distribution system; corrects defects in instrumentation.
• Modifies, installs, and supports software-based control and instrumentation logic.
• Modifies, installs, upgrades, and supports systems and networks used for the transportation of electronic signals across a wide geographic area utilized by the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.
• Ensures that system equipment that are used by System Operators stay in reliable and working order including computer, communication, and instrumentation equipment.
• Researches and evaluates new operational methods, techniques, and equipment, and recommends their application.
• Inspects and evaluates instrumentation work being performed by other agency staff and contractors.
• Ensures assigned instrumentation activities comply with regulatory requirements; accommodates demands from a changing service area.
• Consults with vendors, contractors, and other agency staff regarding new construction and equipment installations related to instrumentation and control systems.
• Leads, trains, and provides technical direction over less certified and experienced staff; serves as crew leader.
• Researches, inventories, and orders parts, tools, and materials.
• Recommends purchasing of equipment or tools, training, hardware, and software; makes estimates of labor and materials needed.
• Assists in the design and implementation of new systems to meet current and future needs of the agency.
• Maintains various records related to work performed, including preventive maintenance schedules, equipment, technical manuals, and prints.
• Operates a variety of hand tools, specialized tools, instruments, analyzers, and testing equipment to interface and troubleshoot instrumentation issues; calibrates and verifies the accuracy of instruments used in assigned work.
• Operates a computer and assigned software.
• Performs other related duties as required.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING CONDITIONS 

This position has both indoor and outdoor responsibilities. The position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on uneven surfaces, reaching, grasping, making repetitive hand movements, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting, and/or stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment and in reading reports and work-related documents. Incumbents are required to work in all weather conditions including heat, rain and cold. The position requires fine coordination in preparing reports using a computer keyboard and mouse. Incumbents may work in and around road traffic, mechanical hazards, electrical hazards and in confined spaces on occasion. Incumbents may also be required to operate various appurtenances within the distribution system and may be required to lift items up to fifty pounds.

Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations.

QUALIFICATIONS (The following are minimal qualifications necessary for entry into the classification.)

Education and/or Experience

Any combination of education and experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for a Senior Instrumentation Technician. A typical way of obtaining the required qualifications is to possess:

• A high school diploma or equivalent GED, supplemented by college-level course work or specialized training in the instrumentation and control fields.
• Six (6) years of journey-level experience in performing industrial/commercial instrument and control system repair and maintenance and devices common to a large water works.

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license may be required at the time of appointment. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to a physical disability will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Possession of a valid Grade II Distribution Operator’s certification issued by the California Water Resources Board, Division of Drinking Water is required.
• Possession of a valid Grade II Treatment Operator’s certification issued by the California Water Resources Control Board, Division of Drinking Water is required.
• Certification as, or comparable to, a Microsoft Certified Professional or as a current California Voice and Data Technician is desirable, but not required.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES  (The following are a representative sample of the KSA’s necessary to perform essential duties of the position.)

Knowledge/Skills of:

• Practices, theories, methods, techniques, tools, and equipment used in the design, installation, testing, calibration, maintenance and repair of process and instrument controls, supervisory control, radio and telemetry-based Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, radio communication and telecommunication equipment and devices common to a large water agency system.
• Mechanical linkage and telemetering systems.
• Advanced level Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) ladder logic programming.
• Installation and application of remote telemetry systems including phone and radio telemetry systems.
• Advanced level practices, theories, methods, techniques, tools, and equipment used in the design, installation, testing, calibration, maintenance and repair of instrumentation and control equipment and devices common to a large water agency system.
• Telemetry configuration, diagnoses, and support.
• Current trends in information technology, including hardware, software, and networks.
• Personal computer and local-area-network troubleshooting techniques.
• Treatment plant, pump stations and distribution systems.
• Operation of a computer and assigned software.
• Mathematic calculations and measures applicable to the instrumentation trade.
• Proper methods of storing parts, supplies, and equipment.
• Principles of training and providing work direction.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Ability to:

• Lead and participate in a variety of skilled instrumentation and control systems activities.
• Install and maintain various electronic monitoring and communication equipment, including pressure and level recorders, programmable logic controllers, relays, and computers as well as their control software.
• Read and comprehend technical manuals and technical codes.
• Work from and read schematics, drawings, and blueprints.
• Evaluate electronic systems, circuits, and components.
• Adjust pneumatic and electromechanical recording and metering instruments.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose instrumentation device, system, and equipment malfunctions.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and electronic difficulties in field instrumentation and telemetering systems.
• Perform extensive repairs and overhauls to metering and control instruments.
• Make estimates of labor and materials.
• Maintain accurate records of preventive maintenance activities.
• Apply mathematic concepts.
• Test, calibrate and repair a wide variety of instrumentation devices and equipment common to the water agency field.
• Perform routine maintenance on computer systems and communication components.
• Stay up to date with technical advances and changes in software, communications, and other business tools to meet needs of the agency.
• Lead, train and provide work direction and guidance to assigned personnel.
• Operate tools, equipment, and materials of the instrumentation trade.
• Plan and lay out instrumentation and control systems work.
• Meet schedules and timelines.
• Observe health and safety regulations and procedures.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Work independently with little direction.
• Maintain various records related to work performed.
• Operate a computer and assigned software.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, outside organizations, and the public.