Automation and Controls Field Service Technician

About the role

The Automation and Controls Field Service Technician supports the reliable operation of automation, electrical, instrumentation, and mechanical equipment at municipal and industrial water and wastewater treatment facilities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. This role installs, calibrates, troubleshoots, and maintains process instrumentation, control panels, motor control systems, and PLC/SCADA platforms, working independently in the field and managing multiple service tasks across customer sites.

Key Duties And Essential Functions

• Installs, calibrates, troubleshoots, and maintains process instrumentation including level, flow, pressure, and analytical instruments; services and troubleshoots electrical control panels, MCCs, and field devices at water and wastewater treatment plants.
• Maintains and troubleshoots pumping and process equipment including centrifugal pumps, submersible pumps, motors, drives, and associated controls; diagnoses issues with motor control systems including starters, VFDs, overloads, and protective devices.
• Troubleshoots and supports relay logic, PLC systems, and distributed control systems (DCS/SCADA); interprets and works from electrical schematics, control drawings, P&IDs, and wiring diagrams to perform service and repair tasks.

Technical Fundamentals

• Works independently in the field across multiple customer sites; manages competing service tasks and shifting priorities while maintaining quality, safety, and customer commitments.
• Identifies electrical, instrumentation, and mechanical deficiencies and recommends corrective actions; uses sound troubleshooting and problem-solving skills to diagnose root causes rather than treat symptoms.
• Supports equipment startup, commissioning, performance testing, and preventive maintenance; escalates programming, control logic, or integration questions appropriately to engineering and project teams.

Safety Awareness

• Adheres to all PPE, lockout/tagout, arc flash, and hazard communication requirements at customer sites; understands and applies NFPA 70E and OSHA electrical safety practices when working on energized or de-energized equipment.
• Proactively identifies electrical, mechanical, and process hazards in the field; stops work and notifies the customer and Service Manager when conditions are unsafe or when site practices do not meet acceptable standards.
• Maintains a clean, organized, and safe work environment within control rooms, panels, MCCs, and field sites; properly cares for the service vehicle, tools, test instruments, and calibration equipment.

Documentation & Process Adherence

• Documents service activities thoroughly and accurately, including work orders, service reports, commissioning checklists, calibration records, and startup documentation; ensures all field work is captured for the customer record and internal project files.
• Follows standard operating procedures (SOPs), electrical schematics, P&IDs, and programming references; identifies and reports drawing or documentation discrepancies discovered in the field for resolution by engineering.
• Maintains accurate labeling, wiring documentation, instrument calibration records, and as-built redlines; treats documentation as a core deliverable, not an afterthought.

Customer Interaction

• Represents Sherwood-Logan professionally on customer sites, communicating effectively with plant operators, maintenance staff, utility personnel, and customer engineering teams; treats every site visit as an extension of the customer relationship.
• Explains technical findings, root cause analysis, and recommended corrective actions clearly to customers and internal project teams; coordinates with engineering, programming, and project management on system integration questions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

Education

A high school diploma or equivalent required; an associate’s degree, technical certification, or trade school training in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Technology, Instrumentation, Electromechanical Technology, HVAC, Plumbing, Water Treatment, or a related field strongly preferred. Relevant trade licenses, manufacturer certifications, or industry credentials in pumping systems, plumbing, HVAC, or water treatment are a significant advantage and may be required for certain assignments.

Experience

• 4–6 years of hands-on field service experience across pumping systems, plumbing, HVAC, water treatment, or closely related mechanical disciplines; demonstrated ability to work independently on a full range of service, maintenance, and repair activities.
• Prior experience at a systems integrator, with exposure to a wide variety of pumping systems, treatment processes, and modern control technologies (DCS/SCADA).
• Experience performing service work in both commercial building and municipal water/wastewater environments preferred; familiarity with the technical and operational requirements of each market type is a significant advantage.
• Experience with equipment startup, commissioning, and performance verification preferred; ability to follow startup procedures independently and document results accurately.

Technical Skills

• Strong hands-on mechanical and technical proficiency across pumping systems, plumbing, HVAC, and water treatment applications; ability to work independently across a broad range of equipment types and service scenarios.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, equipment manuals, P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and service specifications; apply this information accurately in the field.
• Working knowledge of variable frequency drives (VFDs), motor controls, pressure and flow instrumentation, and basic electrical troubleshooting as applied to pumping and mechanical systems.
• Proficiency in completing accurate field documentation and work orders; basic computer and mobile device proficiency for field reporting, communication, and parts requests.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Regularly required to lift, carry, push, or pull objects weighing up to 75 lbs.; occasional lifting of up to 100 lbs. with or without assistance.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach overhead, and climb stairs, ladders, and fixed industrial structures for extended periods.
• Regularly required to work in confined spaces, at elevated heights, and in below-grade environments such as wet wells, pump stations, and treatment plant process areas.
• Regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle tools, components, and instrumentation; manual dexterity required for mechanical repair, alignment, and electrical work.
• Frequent exposure to high ambient noise levels.