Utilities Electrical Instrumentation Technician I / II

The City of Watsonville’s Water Division is seeking a Utilities Electrical/Instrumentation Technician to help support the drinking water facilities, along with the wastewater treatment and recycling facilities and sanitary sewer lift stations when needed. We are a small but mighty group of forward thinkers where data-driven “outside the box” ideas are encouraged. We are public servants who work and play hard, striving for a healthy work-life balance. Watsonville is a small city optimally located on the Monterey Bay, between the cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey, and easily accessible from the South SF Bay Area. Many of us enjoy the outdoor recreational activities the region offers such as surfing, trail running, mountain biking, and hiking.

DEFINITION

To install, calibrate, maintain, and repair electrical and electronic equipment, motors, control panels, associated controls, and supervisory control and data acquisition systems for all divisions of the Public Works and Utilities Department including, but not limited to, wastewater, water, materials processing, storm water and sewer pump stations.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 The job class functions at a journey level of classification and requires technical skill and knowledge of defined duties; functions under direct supervision.  

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

• Receives direct supervision from the Utilities Maintenance Supervisor with occasional input from other departmental supervisors as assigned. 

Examples of Duties:

UTILITIES ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENTATION TECHNICIAN I

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

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

• Install, calibrate, maintain, diagnose and repair electrical and electronic equipment, motors, control centers, associated controls, supervisory control data acquisition systems, programmable logic controllers, switch gears, liquid level controls and a variety of associated electronic and electrical systems sensors and transmitters
• Perform emergency repair to a variety of equipment
• Wire or re-wire new and existing facilities, structures or equipment 
• Design electronic and electrical systems or components
• Prepare reports and maintenance records
• Operate a variety of test equipment and use small hand tools in the maintenance and repair of electronic and related equipment and systems
• Order and maintain inventory control of parts and materials
• May train personnel as required
• Maintain electrical equipment in wastewater, water, materials processing, storm water and sewer pump operations
• Perform related duties as assigned

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

 Knowledge of:

• theory and practice of electrical, electronic and electro-mechanical design, installation, diagnosis and repair, modification, testing, maintenance and calibration of motors, control panels, associated controls, supervisory control and data acquisition systems, electronic sensors, programmable logic controllers, and related equipment 
• electronic, analog and digital theory including operational characteristics of analog and digital sensory control equipment
• theories, practices, procedures and methods applied to the installation, maintenance, repair and modification of electronic, electro-mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment, SCADA, Fiber Optic, and telemetry systems
• read and interpret computer logic diagrams, programming guides, electrical drawings, control loop diagrams, schematics, blueprints, maintenance manuals, ladder diagram, troubleshooting guides and preventive maintenance instructions
• use, calibration and maintenance of a variety of specialized electronic control system test equipment and tools
• principles and procedures of record keeping
• pertinent safe work practices and safety procedures including hand tools and power tools
• principles and procedures of confined space entry

 

Ability to:

• diagnose, maintain, and repair motors, control panels, associated controls, supervisory control and data acquisition systems, electronic sensors, programmable logic controllers, and related equipment 
• operate a desktop/laptop computer and applicable computer software programs 
• generate correspondence, emails, memos, reports, maintain maintenance records and perform similar tasks as needed
• interpret and work from technical sketches and blueprints
• safely use and care for a variety of tools and equipment
• skillfully use a variety of tools and equipment related to maintenance and installation of electrical and electronic equipment
• safely perform duties in potentially hazardous situations
• understand oral and written instructions
• meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform required duties
• grasp with right and left hands
• use fine hand manipulation
• perform manual labor involving frequent bending, pulling, pushing, lifting, and climbing and carry weights up to 50 lbs.
• climb stairs
• understand and follow oral and written instructions 
• drive an automobile 
• work outdoors in adverse weather conditions
• hear and distinguish various sounds, such as abnormal equipment sounds, voices of co-workers in noisy environments, pager, cell phone, etc. 
• work safely
• climb ladders (up to a height of 30 feet)
• maintain accurate records
• use a keyboard
• maintain good public relations with people contacted during work assignments
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties
• perform assigned duties while wearing respiratory protection equipment

UTILITIES ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENTATION TECHNICIAN II

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

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

• Install, calibrate, maintain, diagnose and repair electrical and electronic equipment, motors, control centers, associated controls, supervisory control data acquisition systems, programmable logic controllers, switch gears, liquid level controls and a variety of associated electronic and electrical systems sensors and transmitters
• Perform emergency repair to a variety of equipment
• Wire or re-wire new and existing facilities, structures or equipment 
• Design electronic and electrical systems or components
• Prepare reports and maintenance records
• Operate a variety of test equipment and use small hand tools in the maintenance and repair of electronic and related equipment and systems
• Order and maintain inventory control of parts and materials
• May train personnel as required
• Maintain electrical equipment in wastewater, water, materials processing, storm water and sewer pump operations
• Perform related duties as assigned

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

 In addition to the above standards:

 

 Knowledge of:

• complex P.I.D. loop control theory, setup and tuning
• radio communications as used in controls systems

Ability to:

• perform advanced electrical controls trouble shooting
• perform PLC programming
• perform SCADA system I/O and display screen programming changes
• work without direct supervision

Typical Qualifications:

UTILITIES ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENTATION TECHNICIAN I

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE  

Any combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities is:

 

• High school graduation or tested equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade

 

• Three years of increasingly responsible work experience installing, maintaining and repairing a variety of electrical, electronic and control systems found in water treatment, wastewater treatment or heavy industrial processing plants

 

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

• Possession of a valid Class C California License and a safe driving record 
• Required to obtain Plant Maintenance Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist Grade I Certification from the California Water Environmental Association within 18 months of hire

 UTILITIES ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENTATION TECHNICIAN II

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of training and experience which world provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

 

• High school graduation or tested equivalent 
• Two years work experience in a position equivalent to City of Watsonville Utilities Electrical/Instrumentation Technician I

 LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

• Required to obtain Plant Maintenance Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist Grade II Certification from the California Water Environmental Association or equivalent certification and knowledge within 12 months of hire
• OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, holidays and overtime as needed during emergencies or for critical repairs

Supplemental Information:

The candidate selected will be appointed for a 12-month probationary period. Names of successful candidates who do not receive a job offer will be placed on an employment list which normally remains effective for one year. The Human Resources Department may abolish an Employment list at any time the needs of the City so require. This position is represented by Operating Engineer Local 3 (OE3) Bargaining unit.

Prior to appointment to the position of Utilities Electrical/Instrumentation Technician I/II, a medical examination and Department of Justice Livescan fingerprinting will be required.

The City of Watsonville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages workplace diversity. The City of Watsonville is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act by including people with disabilities in all of its programs and activities.

NOTE: THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISIONS CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVISED WITHOUT NOTICE.