System Controls Technician I/II/III

SALARY                 $49.53 – $67.91 Hourly (depending on qualifications)   

                                   $103,012 – $141,257 Annually

Overview of Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the System Controls Supervisor, performs a variety of skilled system controls duties, including the maintenance, installation, calibration, testing, and repair of the District’s instrumentation, telemetry (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition [SCADA] System) and operational equipment (regulators, pumps, motors, etc.). Applies all standard safety practices.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

System Controls Technician I – This is an entry-level class in the System Controls Technician series. Positions at this level typically have a thorough understanding of water operations equivalent to a System Operator II and/or two years prior experience in electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, or SCADA related to water operations or industrial control. Positions at this level serve as Duty Officer and/or SCADA Operator when assigned.

As a prerequisite for advancing to “E” step, a California Water Environment Associations (CWEA) Grade I (or higher) Electrical & Instrumentation Technologist certificate is required.

System Controls Technician II – This is a journey level class in the System Controls Technician series. Positions at this level have a comprehensive understanding of system controls duties equivalent to that of a System Controls Technician I. Positions at this level require demonstrated ability to perform advanced installation, repair, and maintenance of hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, and SCADA systems. In addition, positions at this level are designated as qualified electrical workers per the District’s electrical safety program. Positions at this level serve as Duty Officer and/or SCADA Operator when assigned.

As a prerequisite for advancing to “E” step, a CWEA Grade II (or higher) Electrical & Instrumentation Technologist certificate is required.

System Controls Technician III – This is the advanced journey level class in the System Controls Technician series. Positions at this level have a comprehensive understanding of system controls duties equivalent to that of a System Controls Technician II. Positions at this level require demonstrated ability to perform the most advanced functions related to the design, construction, installation, repair, and maintenance of equipment related to pump, hydraulic, electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, SCADA, and communication systems. Positions at this level serve as Duty Officer and/or SCADA Operator when assigned.

As a prerequisite for advancing to “E” step, a CWEA Grade III (or higher) Electrical & Instrumentation Technologist certificate is required.

 

Essential Functions:

 1.      Plans, schedules, performs and oversees weekly, monthly and quarterly preventive maintenance work in conjunction with the System Controls Supervisor for the following operation equipment: Hydraulic controls, regulators, pump control valves, pumps, motors, SCADA, programmable logic controller (PLC) based motor control systems, chlorinators, and other related operational equipment.

 2.      Plans, performs and oversees emergency operational work with or without other employees or contractors for: Hydraulic controls, regulators, pump control valves, motors, pumps, SCADA, recording devices, chlorinators, and other related operational equipment.

 3.      Maintains daily work logs and reports related to maintenance, system changes, National Fire Protection Association and Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety practices.

4.      Performs maintenance, installation, repair, and troubleshooting to seismic devices, pumps, motors, chlorinators, regulators, flow meters, level and pressure transducers, water quality monitoring equipment, SCADA, cathodic protection, and other operational related equipment.

5.      Designs, constructs, installs, and tests pumps, motors, motor control systems, cathodic protection systems, regulating systems, chlorinators, valves, electrical systems, SCADA systems, and seismic devices.

6.      Creates and/or revises electrical, mechanical and hydraulic schematics.

 7.      Performs routine tests, calibrations, or adjustments to the District’s system regulators, pumps, chlorinators, SCADA, seismic devices, cathodic protection stations, and water quality analyzers (physical testing and/or mechanical type devices).

 8.      Performs connections and disconnections of the District’s emergency portable generators and trailer pumping systems during emergency conditions that require alternate power or pumping sources.

9.      Assists personnel in emergency situations, such as shutdowns, confined space entry and customer service calls.

 10.  Conducts equipment performance evaluations including: pump efficiency testing, motor vibration analysis and thermography.

11.  Performs preventive maintenance, installation, and repair of the District’s radio communication network.

12.  Oversees service providers who are contracted to perform operational tasks such as software programming, pump and motor maintenance, and cathodic protection services.

13.  May serve as Duty Officer and/or SCADA Operator as necessary. Required to respond to all after-hour calls to investigate, troubleshoot, prioritize and alleviate reported problems. Directly supervises the Emergency Duty Crew as required.

14.  Trains District personnel in the use and maintenance of operational equipment, as well as standard safety practices.

15.  Ensures safe conditions by following District safety guidelines and safety-related directives, including but not limited to, using personal protective equipment as directed, operating District vehicles and equipment in a safe manner, and following District safety policies outlined in the Safe Work Practices manual.

16.  Performs related tasks as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

 Training, Experience and Licenses required for all levels of System Controls Technician I/II/III:

Education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school.

Must have a thorough understanding of water operations equivalent to a System Operator II and/or two years prior experience in electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, or SCADA related to water operations or industrial control.

Must possess a Water Distribution Operator D2 certification (or higher) administered by the California Drinking Water Operator Certification program or obtain the required certification within one year of starting work in this position.

CWEA Mechanical and/or Electrical & Instrumentation Technologist certifications are desirable.

Must demonstrate skills necessary to perform activities using computers in a networked computer environment, including, spreadsheets, word processing, SCADA applications, presentation software and other business functions such as purchasing and maintenance.

Prior experience in water distribution or treatment and/or experience working with pumps, motors, motor control systems, PLC’s and SCADA systems are desirable.

Must have a valid California driver’s license and be acceptable to the District’s automobile liability insurance carrier.

Must pass fit testing for an air purifying respirator.

Must demonstrate skills in reading and comprehending electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic schematics.

 

Essential Functions As Duty Officer:

These positions may act as a Duty Officer, assuming full responsibility on weekends, holidays, and after normal business hours. The Duty Officer has responsibility for:

 ·    Directing and supervising the work of employees and crews involved in emergency repairs of the District’s distribution system, including the authority to make recommendations, through the chain of command, to the General Manager to rate the performance and need for discipline of crew members who worked under their authority.

 ·      Under the direction of the District’s Director of Operations and Field Services, has the delegated authority for making all operational decisions affecting the District’s water distribution and treatment system and facilities.

 ·        Monitoring pumps and related flow and pressure control and storage facilities manually or by using a SCADA system.

·        Performing scheduled and emergency shutdowns, overseeing flushing and water quality sampling activities.

 ·        Investigating customer complaints.

 ·        Initiating the Report of Damage process for all incidents where the District is potentially responsible for causing damage to property of others and/or where a responsible other party has damaged District property. Works closely with the Safety and Risk Administrator to ensure that the District’s interests are protected.

 ·        Serving as the District’s first responder and initial on-site National Incident Management System Incident Scene Commander for all weekend and after-hours emergencies and service interruptions.

 ·        Duty officers are required to reside in a location in which they can report to the District’s headquarters facility within 45 minutes of normal drive time as determined by the General Manager.

 Required Skills:

The System Controls Technician I/II/III must demonstrate dependability, reliability, ethics, judgment, superior work habits, technical skills and ability to introduce and assist employees in learning technical skills and in developing successful and positive relationships with their employer. Due to the broad range of expected knowledge, the System Controls Technician I/II/III must demonstrate effective learning and retention abilities. The System Controls Technician I/II/III must also:

 1.     Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

 2.     Speak, write and read the English language.

 3     Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

 4.     Establish and maintain effective working relations with other District personnel and promote good relations with the public.

 

Benefits Package (it includes but is not limited to):

•      Health: Medical (employee and dependents); Dental and Vision (employee and dependents – employee contribution required)

•      Retirement/Pension: Participation in the California Public Employees Retirement System (employee contribution required)

•      Paid Leave: 15 days of vacation and seven days of sick leave earned in the first year

•      Holidays: 13 paid holidays

•      Life Insurance (two times annual salary)

•      Deferred compensation match

•      Education reimbursement: up to $3,200 for qualifying coursework after one-year probationary period

•      Pre-tax spending accounts for medical and dependent care.

•      Alternative work schedule (every other Friday off – optional).

 

Additional Position Information:

 The Systems Controls Technician I/II/III is a non-exempt position and eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act and in accordance with District policy.

 

About us:

 Vista Irrigation District (District) is a public water agency located in northern San Diego County. Established in 1923, the District provides water service to about 29,000 customers and over 135,000 people living and working in the City of Vista and portions of the cities of Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos and unincorporated areas of the county. The District receives local water from Lake Henshaw, which it owns, imported water from northern California and the Colorado River via the San Diego County Water Authority (Water Authority) and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and desalinated seawater from the Claude “Bud” Lewis Carlsbad Desalination Plant via the Water Authority. The District currently employs 87 people.

The District is “an equal opportunity employer” and will consider reasonably accommodating qualified disabled persons. Reasonable accommodation can include, but are not limited to, changing job duties, changing the work shifts, accommodating schedules, relocating the work area, and providing mechanical or electrical aids.

 About the Recruitment Process:

The most appropriately qualified applicants will be invited to continue in the selection process which may consist of competency testing (including a practical exam), a written exercise and oral interviews by District personnel or qualified individuals from other public agencies or any combination thereof. The District expressly reserves the right to change the selection process in order to identify the most qualified candidates as required by federal and state law.

To help streamline the application and hiring process, we have implemented recruiting software. All applicants will apply via our website at www.vidwater.org under the “Careers” tab. We will no longer accept paper applications. You will need to upload your resume and cover letter on the application portal. 

 The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract, and any provisions contained herein may be modified or revoked without notice.

Job offers are contingent upon a pre-employment criminal background check,

medical examination and drug testing.