Calibration Technician

The City of San Mateo Public Works Department is looking for a Calibration Technician

Why Join our Department?

The Public Works Department's Environmental Services Division (ESD) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the City's 15.7 million gallon per day (MGD) conventional activated sludge wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The WWTP serves a population of more than 140,000 with an annual operating budget in excess of $15 million and has a staff of 33 professional and technical personnel. Planned upgrades to the WWTP include new liquids treatment process facilities consisting of new headworks, primary treatment, and biological nutrient removal/membrane bioreactor (BNR/MBR) process. When you join the Public Works Department, you will work among collaborative and energetic colleagues who share a passion for serving our San Mateo citizens and improving the community in which we live and work. Our team is comprised of individuals with diverse talents and experience in various fields. We will provide you with a wide range of opportunities in a team-based collaborative environment while helping you achieve your professional goals.

Collaboration, Innovation, Respect, Creativity, Transparency and Informed Risk-taking are attributes within the City's mission, values and organizational principles that we are seeking in the candidates.

Look to some of the reasons why the City of San Mateo is a great place to work:

What You'll Do

The Calibration Technician installs, maintains, calibrates, tests and repairs a variety of data acquisition, radio communications, and instrumentation for wastewater collection and treatment plant systems; assists in the oversight of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) computer systems and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) to perform skilled electrical, electronic and mechanical work related to inplant metering equipment and remote controlled devices; operates, monitors, and controls an advanced wastewater treatment (tertiary) system; and performs other related work as required.

Depending upon assignment, duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in the installation, calibration, maintenance and troubleshooting of electronic and electromechanical equipment to ensure proper operation; assist in the troubleshooting and repairing of control system and electrical power failures in the WWTP, pump and lift station.
• Install, calibrate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair electronic and electromechanical equipment to ensure proper operation; maintain and troubleshoot computerized process control equipment such as PLCs, RTUs, and SCADA system devices; troubleshoot control system and electrical power system failures in plants, lifts and pump stations; and maintain awareness of new related technology.
• Confer with operators, mechanics, project engineers and supervisors regarding SCADA issues.
• Respond to and resolve internal customer complaints and issues; provide documentation as required. Communicate in advance with affected staff on programming and related SCADA work.
• Prepare reports on technical issues as required.
• Develop, implement, and maintain procedures for documenting activities in instrumentation and control areas related to programming of RTUs and HMI software, field implementation of programming change, and process control improvements.
• Interpret, prepare, and verify control schematics, diagrams and prints. Provide technical assistance and guidance to staff. Program control systems, instruments and computer operated devices.
• Install, troubleshoot, modify, and implement computer hardware and software applications and components. Analyze and correct data communication and acquisition system problems.
• Install, test, repair, calibrate and maintain complex electrical, electronic and mechanical equipment such as meters, temperature control devices, fire alarm equipment, and remote water quality analyzers controlling devices, including relays, rectifiers, and manometers.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

The Calibration Technician receives general supervision from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance Superintendent. The position may provide technical or functional supervision related to the impacted systems to Plant operations or maintenance personnel, contractors or other designed personnel as required.

For a complete list of duties, reference our job specifications at

Who You Are

• You possess the knowledge of principles of computer systems, procedures, analysis and design as related to the identified equipment and systems; programming languages, computer logic, query/analysis tools and mathematics; Microsoft Office 365, Visual Basic, PC applications and local area network are highly desirable; principles of budget monitoring; principles and practices of project management; SCADA systems, process controls, and related computers; standards, practices, methods, materials, tools and measuring instruments used in the electrical, electronic and mechanical fields; principles and practices of safety management; and pertinent local, State and Federal laws, codes, ordinances and regulations.
• You possess the ability to diagnose electronic malfunctions and defects and determine parts, adjustments and repairs necessary for proper operation; read, understand and apply service manual instructions and electrical schematics; use power and hand tools and measuring instruments, such as volt ohmmeter, oscilloscope, simulator, transistor and capacitor checkers, phone handsets, frequency generator and similar instruments; work effectively with SCADA system users, department staff, third-party software providers, staff at other cities for multi-city applications and contractors for specific projects; develop and implement various data collection and reporting systems; analyze situations quickly and objectively to determine proper course of action; use computers and handheld electronic devices in the course of work; be an integral team player, which involves flexibility, cooperation and communication; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; respond to emergency or after hours service requirements; and communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

What You Bring

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

• Minimum of one year experience in automated instrumentation and control systems and/or maintenance and repair of industrial process control instrumentation.

Training:

• Associate's degree or equivalent with course work in computer science, computer information systems or a related field or Associate’s degree or equivalent in electronics, instrumentation or a related field.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California driver's license.
• California Water Environmental Association (CWEA) Grade I Certification in Electrical/Instrumentation, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of employment is preferred.

Bonus Points (highly desirable)

• CWEA Electrical/Instrumentation Grade I Certification

ADA Special Requirement

Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment: Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, crouch, stoop, squat, crawl, reach, twist, climb, and lift 50 pounds; exposure to extreme noise, outdoors, vibration, confining work space, chemicals, dust, toxic waste, explosive materials, mechanical hazards, and electrical hazards; availability for on call. Ability to wear a respirator and maintain a face seal while using a respirator.