Wastewater SCADA Technician

Job Summary

Support the operation, maintenance, testing, and upgrades of the City's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in the Water and Wastewater Departments. This position is responsible for planning, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance of computer control hardware, programs, software interfaces, and communications devices in a process control environment. This position works cooperatively with water system operators, wastewater system operators, maintenance personnel, SCADA system users, and other personnel as needed to support the operation and maintenance of highly complex instrumentation, controls, communications, electrical, electronic, pneumatic, security, motor control, and telemetry systems for the Water and Wastewater Utilities.

Job Duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Supports accurate data collection, reporting, and reliable, safe, and efficient operation and maintenance of SCADA system and related hardware and software systems used to control operation of the City's water and wastewater systems.
• Performs trouble-shooting and maintenance of SCADA hardware and software. Programs, troubleshoots and maintains hardware, software, programmable logic controllers, graphic user interfaces, and field instruments.
• Supports radio communications and process control networking systems for SCADA control systems. Maintains and trouble-shoots communications devices and media for in-plant and remote facility communications.
• Works collaboratively with contractors, consultants, and operators to implement new control systems and modifications to existing systems, coordinates with and reviews work by contractors and consultants for compliance with plans and specifications, and assists in start-up of new equipment.
• Maintains standards and records for SCADA system and field instrumentation including manufacturer manuals, design documentation, test equipment, maintenance histories, calibration and test records, as-built documentation, and inventory of spare parts.
• Serves as a technical resource to staff on issues related to measurement, control, instrumentation, and automation.
• Trains users on the appropriate use of new and existing applications and data-entry protocols where applicable.
• Other projects and duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS - To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge required:
• Knowledge of the principles of process control, electronics, electrical equipment, programmable controllers, security systems, radio systems, and related computers and process control networking systems.
• Knowledge of the development of control strategies and process & instrumentation diagrams.
• Knowledge of National Electric Code and state and local electrical codes as applicable to control systems.
• Knowledge of pertinent safety practices and procedures related to industrial control systems and maintenance of industrial equipment.
• Special skills and qualities:
• Ability to identify and evaluate hardware and software needs and application requirements.
• Ability to program, troubleshoot and maintain data acquisition systems, industrial programmable logic controllers and microprocessor-base equipment.
• Ability to develop and implement control strategies including pressure control, flow control, and residual control of chemical feed systems.
• Ability to conduct calibration, diagnostic and preventive testing with volt/ohm meters, pressure gauges and signal generators.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team, managing multiple and diverse tasks and priorities.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively train users on appropriate use of SCADA applications and data entry procedures.
• Ability to review, interpret and comment on system maps, drawings, specifications, schematics, and control narratives.
• Ability to prepare sketches, schematics, diagrams, control narratives and control system documentation.
• Ability to work independently as well as establish and maintain cooperative and positive relationships with others both inside and outside the organization.
• EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:
• Associate's degree in industrial controls, instrumentation, computer science, computer programming, or other related field, or, equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• 5 years of experience using PLC and HMI programming languages, control software, industrial control programming, and related tools for industrial process control systems design or similar related experience.
• CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:
• Valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. REASONING ABILITY Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to stand; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and climb or balance. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme heat; and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is occasionally loud.