Instrumentation and Control Systems Technician

Job Summary

Responsible for implementing, maintaining and supporting the automation and process control infrastructure for water and wastewater systems. Assist in creating and reviewing engineering plans, designs, monitoring, building commissioning and operation of automation and process control systems. Understand and apply new technological systems and multiple vendor products to develop and support innovative system solutions that match operational and business requirements. Assist in the development of standards, practices and policies related to the installation, maintenance and operations of automation and process control systems.

Develop, deploy and maintain standard and custom programming and configuration code for the automation and process control systems. Provide first level support for maintaining and troubleshooting the automation and process control infrastructure, which includes on call as well as on site when required. Manage automation and process control system projects as required. Perform quality assurance checks of automation and process control systems as required.

Assist with the maintenance and integration of computerized maintenance management systems.

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Assist in developing programming and configuration code for process control systems, make changes to existing programs, review work performed by contractors, participate in factory witness testing, and coordinate control system issues between District Engineering, the contractor, and District Operations.
• Assist in review of control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for water/wastewater supply, distribution, treatment and collection processes and automate as appropriate.
• Maintain security protocols, firewalls, access for field and operator supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) access for field devices in conjunction with the District's Information Technology department.
• Provide virus and malicious software protection, and intrusion alert systems with the support of the District's Information Technology department.

• Work collaboratively with District Engineering and Information Technology staff to support, maintain, and add to the District's Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and SCADA system.
• Respond to emergencies as directed. Serves on-call, as assigned.
• Perform and/or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment and/or systems.
• Perform upgrades and provide replacement of hardware and software.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process control system issues.
• Investigate and recommend new technological developments and processes to hardware and software platforms.
• Research, recommend and implement systems to enhance control systems functionality and reliability.
• Assist District Maintenance and Operations staff on proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment and systems. Provide technical instruction as required.
• Work with maintenance and operations staff to implement policies, standards, practices and guidelines for all phases of process control implementation, operation and maintenance.
• Work with members of District Staff to enforce compliance with mandatory process control policies and procedures.
• Make recommendations to change standards and methods to improve processes and efficiencies.
• Provide support for Electrical Technicians as required.
• Ensure compliance with the Change Management process.
• Enforce process control system life cycle practices.
• Maintain relationship with Process Control vendors to keep current with changes in operational control systems.
• Review vendor specifications, report findings and make recommendations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Works under the general supervision of the Manager of Maintenance.

Associates degree in related field plus three (3) years related experience. Minimum of three (3) years of experience in the maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS), configuration and programming of PLCs / RTUs (Allen - Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson) and HMIs (Iconics, Intellution (iFix), Wonderware), control and instrumentation loops or other related experience that provides the requisite skills and knowledge.

Significant additional experience and/or certifications or other education and training may be substituted for formal education.