Senior Electrical & Instrumentation Technician

Senior Electrical & Instrumentation Technician

Irvine Ranch Water District is currently accepting applications for a Senior Electrical & Instrumentation Technician in the Electrical Services Department. Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received or until filled. The deadline for the first review of applications is 8:00 AM on Monday, September 14, 2026. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit applications early. Candidates who submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.

Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager.

IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.

Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of skilled journey-level duties in maintenance, design, modification, construction, installation, and repair of electrical and instrumentation systems, machinery, motors, equipment, devices, plant control systems, and related facilities of District domestic and reclaimed water distribution systems, sewage collection systems, water treatment systems and Bio-solids and gas recovery systems. Provide quality and cost-effective service to customers. Incumbent may be required to work stand-by on a rotational basis and report to work on a callback basis as needed. Standby assignment is at the discretion of the Manager.

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management personnel. Exercises technical and functional direction over and provides training to lower-level staff.

Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed and the complexity of the duties assigned. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties within the series.

Leads and trains lower-level staff.

Plans and executes system modifications.

Develops and performs infrared thermography routes. Maintains reporting database.

Develops testing routes and performs electric motor predictive maintenance testing utilizing electric motor analyzer.

Schedules and oversees the protective relay and circuit breaker testing program.

Plans, coordinates and manages projects performed by outside Contractors.

Installs, maintains, calibrates, repairs, troubleshoots, tests, and modifies:

Electrical equipment and systems – electric motors, motorized valves, hand and power tools, conduit and wire systems, electrical inspections and start-up testing, building and area lighting, repair enunciation systems, access control systems, cathodic protection, etc.

Control Systems – Motor controls, variable frequency drives (VFDs), engine controls, lighting controls. Instrument control loops, PLCs, HVAC controls, pneumatic control systems, etc.

Power Distribution Systems – 5 KV power distribution systems, switchboards, motor control centers (MCC's), transformers, power panels, grounding systems, generators, automatic transfer switches, uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems, solar arrays, etc.

Instrumentation systems- Analytical instrumentation (PH, conductivity, turbidity, DO, ORP, chlorine, etc.), safety instrumentation (fixed and portable gas detectors, LEL detectors, etc.), process control instrumentation (air and water flow meters, Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) controllers, level and pressure instrumentation, chemical injection systems, etc.)

Reads and interprets electrical drawings, schematics, power distribution drawings, control panel wiring diagrams, and installation manuals for electrical and instrumentation systems. Provides working drawings.

Works on electrical systems up to and including 4160 volts. This would include motor controls, motors, power panels, etc.

Performs preventive, corrective, predictive, and demand maintenance on all electrical and instrumentation systems.

Requisition supplies, materials, tools and equipment utilizing a computerized Purchase Requisition system to ensure maintenance of stock and supply.

Processes and tracks work orders utilizing a Computerized Maintenance Management system (CMMS).

Coordinates and works with outside agencies and companies to complete assigned tasks.

Participates in the department after-hours standby program.

Works in vaults and other confined spaces utilizing proper safety techniques and equipment in accordance with Cal-OSHA, District, and departmental safety policies and procedures.

Complies with District safety work-related practices and attends relevant safety training.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Disaster Service Worker: In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, Irvine Ranch Water District employees, in the event of a disaster, are considered disaster service workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.

Education and Experience: Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One year of college-level coursework in the area of electronics is required.

Experience:

• Four years of journey-level experience installing and maintaining industrial or production electrical equipment, process instrumentation, analytical instrumentation, or electronic equipment is required.

Licenses and Certifications:

• A valid Class 'C' California Driver's License is required.
• Grade II CWEA Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist Certificate desired.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods, and operational characteristics of electrical and process control instrumentation systems, including high-voltage systems, HVAC equipment, and high-power devices such as variable frequency drives (VFDs).
• Fundamentals of electrical circuits, analog and digital systems, microprocessors, and electronic technology as applied to troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance.
• Techniques for installing, maintaining, and repairing electrical systems, process control instrumentation, fiber optic and communication cabling, and hydraulic/pneumatic control systems.
• Proper selection, use, and maintenance of tools and equipment for electrical and instrumentation repair, testing, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• Functional understanding of wastewater treatment facility processes and related electrical and control systems.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local electrical, instrumentation, and safety codes, laws, and ordinances.
• Application of mathematical principles in performing technical calculations related to electrical and instrumentation work.
• Best practices for maintaining accurate records of maintenance, inspections, and repairs.
• Adherence to safety protocols for working with electrical and instrumentation systems, tools, and hazardous environments.

Ability to:

• Effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees, management and vendors.
• Represent the District in a professional manner when dealing with outside suppliers and customers.
• Advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Add, subtract, multiply, divide, and calculate percentages, fractions and decimals. Knowledge of algebra, basic geometry and basic trigonometry.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to utilize, IBM Maximo, and Oracle computerized system.
• Use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions.
• Read, interpret and apply National Electric Code and other NFPA guidelines in all applications.

Physical Demands:

When working in the field, must possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform medium to heavy physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; frequently reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, grasp, and make repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties; to climb and descend ladders; to operate various equipment and tools; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various District sites; and vision to locate utilities and read printed materials. The job involves fieldwork