Current Employment Opportunities with the City of Meridian:

Job Title: Instrument Technician
Department: Public Works
Reports To: SCADA System Administrator
Open Date: April 27, 2023
Close Date: Open Until Filled
Salary: $34.15 per hour

Job Summary:

This position performs complex and skilled technical work in testing, installation, calibrating, maintenance and repair of all pneumatic, electronic and electrical control and monitoring systems commonly used in a modern waste water treatment plant, sewer collection system, water treatment, and water distribution system. Programs closed loop system applications associated with instrumentation. Utilizes various electronic test instruments and computer software to verify accuracy of process-measuring devices to collect, record, and maintain crucial data records as dictated by regulatory requirements. This position provides support of the City’s Public Works Department’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System, as well as other related application software systems and hardware. This position will assist with configuring and programming automation and controls systems involving HMI (human machine interface) and SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems. Completes in-depth and timely troubleshooting and repairs of SCADA system components to include instruments and controls. Works with various operational groups to troubleshoot, repair, and create various HMI screens, control logic, alarming, and instrumentation strategies. Work is performed under the general supervision of the SCADA System Administrator.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Performs skilled installation, calibration, repair, and maintenance on industrial process instrument and control devices including digital/analog monitoring/control equipment per manufacturer’s recommendations and site standards;

Repair, maintain, and calibrate process instrumentation including: meters, indicators, and sensors to include: level, pressure, turbidity, conductivity, pH, Chlorine residual, Dissolved Oxygen, (DO), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and liquid/gaseous flow measurement equipment;

Installs and repairs low voltage control and signal circuits handling analog, digital, Ethernet, or serial bus protocol, as well as pneumatic and hydraulic circuits;

Perform routine maintenance, repair, troubleshooting, and creation of HMI screens, PLC control logic, alarming, and instrumentation systems;

Basic to intermediate level configuration and programing of automation and control systems involving HMI (human machine interface), PLC, and SCADA;

Performs regular QAQC on SCADA system components ensuring proper calibration, input, output, and communication;

Conduct preventative maintenance, non-scheduled and/or emergency maintenance on SCADA and instrumentation systems and components;

Investigates and repairs combustible and harmful gas monitoring sensor circuits and devices;

Repairs, maintains, and calibrates mobile gas detection devices for safety of personnel;

Maintains and calibrates a variety of flow measuring and metering equipment;

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair packaged control systems such as stand-alone level controllers, PID controllers, etc.;

Operate a variety of electronic testing equipment including multi-meter, oscilloscope, and signal generator;

Perform routine testing and tuning of closed loop control systems;

Create, modify, troubleshoot, and replicate Programmable Logic Control (PLC) programs;

Repair and maintain communications links and communications hardware;

Install, maintain, and repair computer-based hardware and software associated with closed loop systems not connected to City Network;

Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair Water and Wastewater radio telemetry system;

Maintain electronic and hard-copy service records, participate in development of written specifications for process instrumentation, electrical, and mechanical equipment requisition;

Proficient in the use of computers for logging work completed, record keeping, equipment data retrieval using the Asset Management System;

Prepare reports related to system performance, troubleshooting, and regulatory compliance;

Communicate clearly and appropriately to staff before and after planned/unplanned maintenance and repairs:

Ability to review blueprints and design documents to ensure instrumentation requirements are met:

Interface with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering staff with regards to process measurement, controls, telemetry, and associated instrument systems;

Responsible for performing work in compliance with necessary SCADA cyber security measures in coordination with the City IT department to ensure policies, procedures, and best practices are followed;

Maintain and ensure work environment is in alignment and in compliance with the City’s Standard Operating Policies, Safety Policies and other related policies / procedures in regards to safety prevention; work in a safe manner and report unsafe activities, conditions and faulty equipment;

Communicate with supervisor, employees, other departments, vendors, and agencies to coordinate work activities, collaborate, exchange information, or resolve problems; lead by example demonstrating City CARE values and promoting teamwork;

Assists in maintaining inventory of measuring instruments and related materials vital to ongoing operations;

Completing, documenting, and tracking work orders through City’s Asset Management system

Ensures records pertaining to the history of calibration of instruments are maintained, accurate, and certified per National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards;

Creates as-built documents recording changes to instrumental design;

Records labor hours and material usage on projects;

Provides engineering groups field information regarding systems performance;

Perform other duties as assigned or needed.

Job Specifications:

Five years skilled experience installing, repairing, and maintaining industrial instrumentation and control systems, and a high school diploma or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience;

Associates degree in instrumentation or similar discipline is highly preferred;

Experience with external paging, alarming, reporting packages, and Visual Basic programming is desired;

Experience in Food Processing, Bio-Tech, Pharmaceutical, or Water/Wastewater industries is desired.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Must be able to work after business hours including occasional evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed;

Must be able to be on call on a rotational basis;

Ability to properly operate electronic/electrical testing equipment;

Intermediate knowledge to troubleshoot electrical and instrumentation control circuits;

Ability to diagnose electrical and electronic failures and take an effective course of action to correct the problem;

Ability to develop and implement a comprehensive, preventive maintenance program for instrumentation and electronics equipment;

Working knowledge of wastewater and water operation and process control theory and practices;

Working knowledge of mechanical and electrical instrument systems and calibration methods; occupational hazards and safety procedures; multimeters, process simulators, oscilloscopes, device and loop calibrators, Control, and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems; a range of technical vocabulary;

Ability to review and redline blueprints, design drawings, and PI&D drawings, wiring schematics, plans and specifications;

Ability to operate and learn computer and software applications;

Must communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance;

Must complete assignments in a timely fashion; understand and comply with all rules, policies and regulations;

Working knowledge related to HMIs, PLC, SCADA, communication, alarming systems, ladder logic and historical data systems;

Knowledge of procedures for installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting and repairing applicable software, hardware and peripherals; and techniques for explaining technical concepts and procedures to non-technical users;

Knowledge of communication systems;

Understanding of Ethernet protocols and configurations, including assignment of IP addresses, subnet mask, and default gateways for Ethernet-enabled devices, network switches, etc. is preferred;

Ability to exercise independent judgement;

Ability to work under time constraints and manage priorities appropriately;

Ability to effectively and efficiently apply problem-solving and decision-making skills;

Must collaborate and work effectively with others;

Ability to handle customer concerns or complaints skillfully and respectfully;

Employ cooperative behavior with supervisors, colleagues, vendors, and contractors at all times;

Must understand industrial wastewater and water safety procedures and proper use of varied PPE such as: personal gas monitors, safety glasses, goggles, respirators, lockout tag-out, confined space entry, and arc-flash;

Ability to learn Asset Management Software (Previous working knowledge a plus);

Ability to learn and support regulatory compliance requirements;

Ability to learn basic purchasing rules and procedures;

Knowledge of emergency response procedures and disaster response; have ability follow and execute emergency assistance when called upon.

Licenses and Certification:

Must have and maintain a valid Idaho Driver’s License;

Must hold the following State of Idaho licenses:

Class I Water Distribution or Treatment Operators License within eighteen (18) months of hire;

Class I Wastewater Treatment Operators License within eighteen (18) months of hire;

Must be able to attend and complete all required safety training requirements and certifications which may include but is not limited to: confined space entry, CPR/AED, ICS, fall protection, and flagger/traffic safety.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

Requires lifting and moving up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves more than 100 pounds;

Requires driving a motorized vehicle or maintenance equipment;

Occasional use of a truck mounted crane, man lift, reach lift, and forklift;

Frequently works near moving mechanical parts and in outside weather conditions;

Frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration;

Work is performed in and around large machinery and electrical machines, pumps, and related equipment; in areas with moving equipment; above and around large pools of wastewater

Indoor, outdoor, extreme weather exposure, shop environments, multiple buildings;

Standing and walking for extended periods of time;

Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids, and chemicals. Additional environmental conditions include exposure to biological and chemical hazards;

Climbing and bending at the waist, crawling, kneeling, reaching, pushing, pulling, and working at heights;

Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally;

Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate power tools and equipment;

Constantly requires clarity of speech and hearing, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;

Good vision and ability to identify all colors;

Good balance and coordination on ladders and lifts;

Exposure to fumes from equipment operation;

May work on a variety of ladders;

Will work in the area of high voltage;

Working in cramped or restrictive work chambers;

Exposure to dust, dirt, oil/grease, and gases;

May work around and in areas with high noise levels;

May work in or around confined spaces.

Travel Requirements:

Local travel is required, often using City vehicle;

Regional and out of state travel is required on occasion.

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