Controls System Technician

About the role

The City of Boise’s Water Renewal Services seeks a Controls Systems Technician to join a team dedicated to keeping Boise clean, safe, and sustainable. This role involves working with advanced technology to monitor, maintain, and improve automated control systems at water treatment and collection facilities.

Responsibilities

• Handles complex issues and problems, referring only the most complex to higher-level staff.
• Provides leadership, coaching, and mentoring to a subordinate group, as needed.
• Utilizes PLC programming languages and HMI programming to design and implement modifications to enable changes to plant process control and operations.
• Assists operations and maintenance staff with troubleshooting, repairs, and installations.
• Works with devices integrated into the PLC/HMI environment including variable frequency drives (VFD), modulating valves, level transmitters, pressure transmitters, flow meters, and toxic and explosive gas meters.
• Documents new, existing, and changed programming and equipment configuration of automation.
• Creates and maintains SQL database queries to collect plant process data for EPA permit compliance reporting and for monitoring plant operations.
• Creates queries and trends utilized in determining timetables for future growth.
• Creates and updates circuit and control schematics, flow charts, process and instrumentation diagrams to maintain accurate record drawings of plant control systems.
• Affords assistance in planning modifications to the plant process control network.
• Coordinates with the IT department regarding control systems security, hardware, access for contractors, and troubleshooting network issues.
• Reviews engineering and process expansion plans to ensure consistency of integration control schemes and monitors compliance with established plant standards and related documentation.
• Participates in the control system commissioning and validation process.
• Provides expertise to operations personnel on the proper use of various software tools for process control and data collection.
• Collaborates with operations and maintenance personnel on the installation of new programming and equipment.
• Plans and installs the upgrade of equipment on a periodic basis.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent and 4 years of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining industrial instrumentation and control systems.
• Experience in programming and connecting SCADA software (System Platform Galaxy and Historian), Allen Bradley PLCs and VFDs, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Licensing and other requirements: Valid state-issued driver's license.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of standard practices, materials, tools, and equipment used in process control systems; programming techniques and software used in PLC, SCADA, and HMI systems; systems analysis and design; electronics, instrumentation design, and calibration; pumps, motors, and hydraulic systems; blueprints and circuit schematics reading and interpretation; maintenance equipment and procedures; and computer usage including related software.
• Ability to: troubleshoot electronic and pneumatic systems; develop, implement, troubleshoot, maintain, and effectively utilize PLC systems and related equipment; solve problems effectively; draft, read, and interpret typical electronic schematics and other programming documentation; maintain accurate records; communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; and perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor, and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.

Skills

• Experience with industrial instrumentation, process control, or automation in nontraditional industries such as craft brewing, specialty food and beverage, plant cultivation, aquaculture, vertical farming, renewable energy, or theme parks.
• Expertise with sensors, PLCs, and SCADA systems.

Benefits

• Zero-cost premium medical coverage for you and your family (an estimated $10,000 - 20,000 value).
• PERSI retirement (11.96% Employer Contribution) plus employer-matched 401(k)/457b.
• 10 hours vacation/month (grows with tenure), 12 paid holidays, and 8 hours sick leave/month.
• 10 weeks paid parental leave.
• $500 annual wellbeing incentive.
• Tuition reimbursement and free local bus pass.
• Basic life and long-term disability insurance at no cost.

Pay

Commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Rotating on-call schedule.