Water Prod - Communication - Instrumentation Technician I

Under general supervision, performs technical work in the installation, preventative maintenance, diagnostic evaluation, and repair of electronic systems, instrumentation, process controls, and associated systems to support water production and water distribution for the City of Abilene.

About the role

The position may exercise technical and functional supervision over lower-level staff, depending on the level (I, II, or III).

Responsibilities

• Instrumentation Technician I
  • Investigate complaints related to water utility maintenance
  • Install, repair, diagnose, and service metering devices, receivers, transmitters, and process control systems for water and wastewater functions
  • Perform electrical troubleshooting to identify hazards or malfunctions; repair or replace damaged units
  • Troubleshoot motor and control systems
  • Perform routine maintenance on electrical wiring and systems
  • Prepare and assemble conduits, including connecting wires appropriately
  • Maintain parts inventory; requisition supplies, materials, and equipment for instrumentation systems
  • Operate a City vehicle daily to travel to water treatment plants, pump stations, storage tanks, lakes, and vendors
• Instrumentation Technician II
  • Troubleshoot, calibrate, repair, and maintain flow, pressure, radar, and other metering equipment
  • Repair, adjust, and maintain programmable controllers
  • Maintain radio telemetry systems
  • Read and interpret analog and digital input/output; perform repairs on associated DC control circuitry
  • Assist with training, evaluating staff, planning, and assigning work
• Instrumentation Technician III
  • Perform high-precision calibrations and measurements on telemetry equipment
  • Troubleshoot Allen Bradley PLC Ladder Logic
  • Maintain and support Aveva (Wonderware) operations management software
  • Evaluate proposed and existing instrumentation and control systems; make recommendations and develop specifications
  • Assist in the preparation of the division budget
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

Requirements

• Knowledge of:
  • Methods, materials, practices, and equipment used in the installation, maintenance, and repair of PLCs and motor controls
• Skills:
  • Installation, diagnostic evaluation, maintenance, and repair of radio telemetry systems, computerized process controls, and electronic instrumentation
  • Use of Allen Bradley PLC Ladder Logic, Aveva (Wonderware) HMI, Studio 5000, and Studio 500 software
  • Work on equipment with voltages ranging from 12 volts D.C. to 4160 volts A.C.
  • Use of hand tools and technical calibration equipment
  • Safe driving principles
• Abilities:
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships internally and externally
  • Identify and distinguish colors
  • Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values: Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do
  • Perform as a team member to accomplish the Division’s mission

Qualifications

• Instrumentation Technician I
  • Experience: At least six months of experience in installation, maintenance, and repair of instrumentation, process controls, electrical, and electronic systems
  • Education/Training: High school diploma or GED
  • License/Certificate:
    • Texas driver’s license (or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment, or military waiver)
    • Completion of OSHA-mandated electrical safety training for “Qualified Electrical Worker” within one year of employment
    • Class D Water License and Class D Wastewater License from the State of Texas within six months of employment
• Instrumentation Technician II
  • Experience: Two years of experience in installation, maintenance, and repair of instrumentation, process controls, and electronic systems for water and/or wastewater
  • Proficiency Test: Minimum score of 70% for promotion (90% for external applicants seeking direct placement)
  • Education/Training: Technical education equivalent to an associate’s degree or 60 semester credit hours (preferred)
  • License/Certificate: Class C Water License from the State of Texas within two years of employment or promotion
• Instrumentation Technician III
  • Experience: Three years in the water or wastewater field, including two years of relevant instrumentation experience
  • Proficiency Test: Minimum score of 70% for promotion (85% for external applicants seeking direct placement)
  • License/Certificate: Class B Water License or Class B Wastewater License from the State of Texas

Special Requirements

• Participate in on-call schedule work
• Exposure to cold, heat, noise, outdoors, vibration, and confined workspaces
• Exposure to chemicals, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards
• Travel to different sites; after-hours, weekend, holiday, and night work as needed
• Ability to work at heights and climb elevated storage tanks
• Two-week rotating on-call schedule; respond to emergencies within 30 minutes when on call

Physical Demands

• Overall strength demand: Medium (lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds)
• Frequency of physical tasks during a typical workday:
  • Moderate: Standing, sitting, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing/pulling, overhead work, kneeling, crouching, bending, twisting, hearing, talking
  • Extensive: Fine dexterity, vision
  • Infrequent: Climbing, balancing
  • Almost Never: Crawling
  • Other: Typing

Pay

Hourly rate: $22.43 – $32.05 USD