Process Automation Technician

Department: Maintenance

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

About the role

The Electrical & Controls Technician coordinates and executes maintenance automation and controls functions safely in the facility so the plant equipment and services perform at maximum levels and minimize unscheduled interruption of the plant operation. This position also trains, coaches, teaches, and counsels others on electrical controls maintenance procedures and best practices. Strong skills in planning and organizing are required. Knowledge of programmable logic controllers, electrical systems, and process control systems is essential. The Electrical & Controls Technician is a key contributor to the continuous improvements of critical plant performance metrics in the areas of safety, quality, and productivity. This role is essential to the successful operations of the Denver Roofing plant and reports to the Maintenance Leader.

Responsibilities

• Follows the plant safety process and ensures good safety habits are instilled in the craft labor. Maintains awareness of all safety issues within the area of responsibility and responds with appropriate urgency to correct safety issues identified. Designs program safety into the electrical systems.
• Ensures operation of machinery and electrical controls equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements on drives, PLCs, and plant communications network following diagrams, sketches, operations manuals, manufacturer's instructions, and engineering specifications.
• Maintains electrical control software in support of programming for the facility.
• Programs HMIs, PLCs, servos, and other electrical controls systems.
• Makes timely and appropriate decisions when an emergency or breakdown occurs to minimize production interruption.
• Performs additional analysis (e.g., Root Cause Failure Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, Reliability-centered maintenance analysis) for equipment or processes with high maintenance costs, low reliability, or chronic problems.
• Diagnoses electrical and controls problems, determining how to correct them using schematics, repair manuals, and parts catalogs.
• Supports the Maintenance department by defining who can use PLC and computer interfaces for troubleshooting.
• Uses the manufacturing communications network effectively.
• Instructs crafts persons in proper electrical controls installation and repair techniques.
• Recommends qualified contractors to the Maintenance Leader for performing electrical controls work at the site, ensuring contractors follow NEC and OSHA standards.
• Inspects electrical controls work in progress to ensure correct labor utilization and evaluate training requirements.
• Provides direction for downtime and shop work for controls activities with respect to work requests, downtime lists, and assigned projects.
• Trains, coaches, and counsels others on electrical controls maintenance procedures and best practices.
• Recommends training and development of others in support of plant electrical power and control equipment.
• Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing technical publications, and establishing professional and intercompany networks.
• Keeps the Maintenance Leader appraised of electrical controls equipment conditions to avoid major production downtime.
• Provides technical information to support planned electrical controls preventive maintenance.
• Defines electrical controls spare parts needs to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Plans and lays out repair work using diagrams, drawings, maintenance manuals, and schematic diagrams.
• Applies maintenance and repair “best practices” for planned new equipment purchases and installations where no maintenance history exists.
• Ensures electrical drawings are kept up to date.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by the leader.

Requirements

• Two-year associate degree in electrical technologies or equivalent preferred.
• 3 years of relevant industrial electrical maintenance experience preferred.

Skills

• Programmable Logic Controllers: PLC components, I/O systems, instructions, PLC programming, communication protocols, drivers, power supplies, expansion/retrofits, and system development (Allen Bradley Suite and Ignition preferred).
• Electrical Systems: Servos, variable frequency drives, measuring systems, DC circuits, batteries, transformers, AC circuits, three-phase systems, wiring, control relays, across-the-line starters, limit switches, electronic switching, and electrical energy and power relationships.
• Process Control Systems: Speed and rotation sensors, human machine interfaces, control loop operations, data transmission, PID controller/loop tuning, final control elements, process modeling, instrumentation, measurement level detectors, and transducers.
• Electrical Controls Maintenance: Voltmeters, ammeters, schematics and symbols, short circuits, reversible motors, current probes, and relays.
• Safety: First aid for shock victims, National Electrical Code, static electricity, grounding, double-insulated tools, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - 70e, and hazardous electrical locations.
• Electronics: Analog and digital devices.
• Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
• Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Equipment Selection: Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Systems Analysis: Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Equipment Maintenance: Determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed and performing routine maintenance.
• Training Others: Improving the performance of others by sharing knowledge of electrical systems and troubleshooting.
• Decision Making: Gathers, analyzes, and interprets information to understand problems and identify opportunities; draws conclusions and generates alternatives; chooses a course of action based on facts; ensures buy-in and understanding of the resulting decisions.
• Self-Knowledge: Demonstrates strong self-awareness of strengths, development needs, and the impact of behavior on others; consistently takes action to improve.
• Teamwork: Works effectively and cooperatively with others; establishes and maintains good working relationships.
• Problem Recognition: Ability to recognize and communicate potential issues that may lead to a problem.
• Persistence: Persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Stress Tolerance: Accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
• Elevates Performance: Sets high performance standards for self, team, and others; assumes accountability for delivering all performance expectations; monitors status of performance delivery against expectations.
• Independence: Guiding oneself with little or no supervision and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Mathematical Reasoning: Choosing the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Adaptability: Being open to change and considerable variety in the workplace.
• Mechanical Systems: Pneumatic control systems, air-piloted valves, and hydraulics (a plus).

Benefits

• Insurance: medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental offerings.
• 401k with company contribution regardless of employee participation, plus match.
• Liberal paid time off: vacation, personal floating, and standard holidays.
• Employee Assistance Services.
• Stock Purchase Program.

Pay

$47.54 - $59.62 hourly

Schedule

Mid or nights

Essential Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Industrial manufacturing environment with temperature variation.
• Exposure to sounds or noise levels that may be uncomfortable (hearing protection is provided and required in certain areas of the plant).
• Bending, twisting, and repetitive movements.
• Ability to climb up to three floors or stairs, use full upper body movement for processes, and stand up to 12 hours with breaks.
• Handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Responsive to plant needs (shared availability to be on call 24/7).
• Maintain a clean and organized work environment and participate in keeping the facility production-ready.

U.S. citizenship or valid proof of authorization to work in the United States is required.