Instrumentation & Control Technician - Wastewater

The City of Oxnard's Wastewater Division is seeking a skilled and motivated Instrumentation & Control Technician to join our Maintenance team. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the reliable operation of the City's wastewater treatment and collection systems by maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing instrumentation, control systems, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, and related electrical equipment. Working collaboratively with Maintenance, Operations, and Collections staff, the Instrumentation & Control Technician reports to the Wastewater Electrical Supervisor and contributes to the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of essential public infrastructure. 

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Install, calibrate, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain process instrumentation, including flow meters, level transmitters, pressure sensors, pH analyzers, turbidity meters, dissolved oxygen analyzers, and gas detection systems.

• Maintain, configure, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, SCADA, and telemetry systems used to monitor and control wastewater treatment processes.

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on instrumentation, control systems, and associated equipment to maximize reliability and regulatory compliance.

• Diagnose and resolve instrumentation, automation, and industrial communication system failures affecting plant operations.

• Conduct loop checks, functional testing, commissioning, and system validation during equipment startups, shutdowns, upgrades, and capital improvement projects.

• Install, inspect, and repair control panels, relays, VFDs, actuators, motor control centers (MCCs), instrumentation wiring, and lift station control systems.

• Troubleshoot and maintain industrial communication networks and signal systems, including 4–20 mA, discrete I/O, Modbus, Ethernet/IP, and remote monitoring equipment.

• Read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control narratives, and loop drawings to support installation and troubleshooting activities.

• Document calibrations, inspections, repairs, and maintenance activities in the city’s Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) system and maintain records required for regulatory compliance.

• Coordinate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and contractors to support safe, efficient, and uninterrupted plant operations.

• Participate in capital improvement and modernization projects by providing technical support for the installation, integration, and commissioning of new process control equipment. 

• Exercise computer proficiency and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, and work efficiently in a deadline-driven environment.

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, calibrate, and repair facility security camera (CCTV) systems and associated monitoring equipment. 

• Perform other related duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational objectives.  

PAYROLL/CLASSIFICATION TITLE: 
Instrumentation & Control Technician

SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED: 

General supervision is provided by the Wastewater Electrical Supervisor. Incumbents of this class do not routinely exercise supervision.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: 

The Instrumentation & Control Technician is the specialized journey-level class responsible for maintaining treatment plant process control and communication equipment in effective and efficient working order.

WORK SCHEDULE: 

The Wastewater Maintenance workweek is Monday through Thursday, 6:00 am to 4:30 pm.  Depending on the work assignment, staff may be assigned to shifts that are outside the standard City work hours. In addition, this position is required to be available to work additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs. Incumbents will be required to work stand-by on a rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed within a designated time frame. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Electrical Supervisor.

(This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.)

• Performs highly skilled electronic, electronic pneumatic, and instrumentation maintenance and repair and construction duties at a wastewater treatment plant, including operation of SCADA system, lift station telemetry, security camera system, and telephone/communication system.

• Assembles, installs, and repairs electronic and instrumentation circuits, transformers, switches, control panels, pneumatic and electronic components of telemetry systems.

• Assists in planning and scheduling preventive maintenance programs; develops and implements emergency situation plans; makes recommendations to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness.

• Maintains inventory of tools, equipment, and submits requests for materials and supplies; maintains instrument laboratory and the care and maintenance of tools and equipment.

• Troubleshoots a variety of problems and potential problems with treatment plant equipment; ensures that work is performed according to plans and specifications.

• Performs calibration of gas detection system, chemical tanks, meters, engines, gauges, and lavatory equipment.

• Services various plant equipment and employee safety equipment such as self -contained breathing apparatus; repairs medium and high voltage lines, radios, and other plant equipment.

• Purchases plant supplies and maintains shop supplies.

• Responds to questions and concerns from the general public; provides information as is appropriate and resolves complaints.

• Performs the full array of duties assigned to the Instrumentation Technician class, including maintaining, in proper working order, all plant process control and communication equipment.

• Performs standby duty on a rotating basis and may be required to work varying hours, overtime, weekends, and holidays.

• Coordinates maintenance activities with the operations group. 

The following are minimum qualifications necessary for entry into the classification:  

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma or GED

EXPERIENCE:

• The equivalent of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in the installation, maintenance, and repair of electrical, electronics and instrumentation equipment and circuits found in wastewater treatment plants and related facilities, including two (2) years of journey-level experience

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION:

• Valid California Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.

• California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Grade I Electrical Instrumentation Technician Certification within eighteen (18) months. 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing

HIGHLY DESIRED: 

• Journey-level technical training in electronics, instrumentation and controls, and electricity 

• Cradlepoint Certified Network Associate Certification

•  Ignition Core or Gold Certification

APPLICATION PROCESS:

• Submit NEOGOV/Government Jobs on-line application.
• Complete and submit responses to the supplemental questions, if required.
• Upload resume, cover letter, proof of degree (transcript), or other requested documents.
  

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the online application and include the information only on the resume. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted. Cover letters and/or optional resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. 

The list of qualified candidates established from this recruitment may be used to fill other full-time, part-time, and temporary assignments. There is currently one (1) full-time vacancy within the Public Works Department, Wastewater Division. 

Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough reference check and background investigation. Some positions that work with or have access to the Police Department may require a polygraph exam. Select positions may require candidates to undergo a pre-employment medical and/or psychological evaluation. 

UNION MEMBERSHIP:
Positions in this classification are represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE).

NOTE: 
For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

Employees are required to participate in the City's direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12-month probationary period. Internal applicant probationary periods will be governed by the applicable MOU.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.

If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.

This position is governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for overtime pay.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:
The City of Oxnard is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from all qualified applicants.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition, disability or sexual orientation.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: 
The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodations for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date.  Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

LEGAL REQUIREMENT:
On the first day of employment, new employees must provide proof of citizenship or documentation of legal right to work in the United States in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, as amended. The City participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, please contact DHS. 888-897-7781 dhs.gov/e-verify. 

If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Vivian Morales at [email protected]. 

NOTE: 
The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.   Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.