Electrical & Instrumentation Technician - Journey Level (AA-002-26E) PERG

About the role

The incumbent is responsible for working overtime as needed and responding to emergencies, which includes being placed on a weekend emergency callout list and promptly attending to emergency callouts as required. Furthermore, this position directly involves handling the Annual Power Plant and Facility outages.

Responsibilities

• To perform progressively more skilled work in the installation, maintenance, and repair of instrumentation, computer process control, and electrical equipment and systems.
• Assembles, installs, maintains, calibrates, troubleshoots, and repairs electrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, digital, and analog control equipment and systems to ensure safe, accurate, and reliable plant operation.
• Operates, maintains, calibrates, and repairs pneumatic, electronic, and computerized testing and measuring instruments to verify instrument accuracy and ensure proper system performance.
• Maintains records and prepares reports of maintenance, calibration, and repair activities to ensure accurate equipment histories and support operational decision-making.
• Reads, interprets, and prepares schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, blueprints, P&IDs, loop sheets, sketches, and equipment specifications to plan, perform, and document installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting tasks.
• Orders and tracks parts, supplies, materials, and equipment to ensure availability of resources required for maintenance and project work.
• Instructs apprentices or lower-level staff to develop technical proficiency, safe work practices, and troubleshooting skills.
• Performs trade-related mathematical calculations to accurately size, adjust, calibrate, and verify equipment and system parameters.
• Maintains shop areas, tools, and equipment to ensure a safe, organized, and efficient work environment.
• Drives to and inspects new construction sites and equipment installations to verify compliance with design requirements, operational standards, and safety regulations.

Requirements

• A valid California Class C Driver License.
• Four (4) years of Electrical & Instrumentation Technician experience performing progressively responsible installation, maintenance and repair work on instrumentation, computer process control and electrical equipment and systems.
• One of the following substitution options may be applied toward the experience requirement:
• Twelve (12) semester units of college course work or completion of one (1) year of a two (2) year degree or certification program in instrumentation, electronics or electrical technology, or a closely related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience;
• Completion of a two (2) year degree or certification program in instrumentation, electronics or electrical technology, or a closely related field for two (2) years of the required experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of NFPA70E safe work practices.
• Knowledge of electrical theories and principles (e.g., AC/DC power systems, circuit protection, grounding, motor control fundamentals).
• Knowledge of electronic, digital, and analog control equipment (e.g., sensors, transmitters, signal conditioning devices, microprocessor-based instruments).
• Knowledge of instrumentation and process control systems, including process variables (e.g., pressure, temperature, flow, level), PLCs, DCS systems, control loops, PID behavior, interlocks, alarms, and automated plant control logic.
• Knowledge of mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems (e.g., actuators, valves, regulators) and the physical principles governing fluid and mechanical motion as they relate to instrumentation and electrical control.
• Knowledge of plant operational systems and power-generation processes, including how electrical, instrumentation, and control components interact with major plant subsystems, and how system conditions, alarms, and protections maintain safe and reliable operations.
• Knowledge of maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, and testing methods for electrical, electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic, and control equipment, including the proper use of diagnostic tools, test instruments, and measurement devices.
• Knowledge of applicable safety practices and regulatory requirements (e.g., NFPA 70/70E electrical safety, OSHA standards, arc-flash protocols, lockout/tagout procedures) and safe work practices for energized and non-energized equipment.

Skills

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair electrical, electronic, instrumentation, pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical control systems using appropriate diagnostic tools, test instruments, technical references, and systematic problem-solving methods.
• Install, maintain, calibrate, and adjust electrical and instrumentation components (e.g., sensors, transmitters, PLC/DCS hardware, protective relays) to ensure accurate operation and system reliability.
• Interpret and prepare technical documentation (e.g., schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, loop sheets) to plan, perform, and document work activities.
• Apply trade mathematics (e.g., voltage, current, resistance, power calculations, instrumentation scaling, unit conversions, and tolerances) to perform accurate measurements, calibrations, and equipment adjustments.
• Use specialized tools and equipment (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes, meggers, loop calibrators, signal simulators, pneumatic testers, computerized diagnostic systems) safely and effectively.
• Perform complex maintenance and operational assignments independently in compliance with safety standards, operating procedures, and equipment requirements.
• Maintain accurate records and prepare clear, concise documentation used for compliance, maintenance planning, and operational decision-making.
• Provide guidance and instruction to apprentices or less experienced staff, demonstrating proper techniques, safe work practices, equipment use, and troubleshooting methods.

Benefits

Employees receive annual salary increases until reaching step 5 of the salary range and are provided with opportunities to promote. Cost of living adjustments are implemented annually in accordance with labor agreements.

Pay

Annual salary range is determined by the City of Whittier’s budget and is subject to change.

Schedule

This is a 9/80 position with alternating Fridays as the regular-day-off (RDO).