Maintenance I (SPLA)

Level 1 Instrumentation Technician (Mastery Level)

The Level 1 Instrumentation Technician (Mastery Level) is a highly skilled professional responsible for the installation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of complex instrumentation and control systems across refinery operations. This role serves as a technical authority, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of critical process measurements and control systems, while providing leadership and mentorship to other technicians and contractors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair complex instrumentation and control systems, including:
• Pressure, temperature, flow, and level transmitters
• Control valves and positioners
• Analyzers (process and environmental)
• Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and PLC field interfaces
• Perform precision calibration and configuration of field instruments
• Lead and execute instrumentation work during turnarounds, outages, and critical repairs
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior technicians and apprentices
• Interpret and utilize:
• Loop diagrams
• P&IDs
• Instrument datasheets and specifications
• Ensure compliance with all safety and operational procedures, including:
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
• Process safety management (PSM) requirements
• Hazardous area classifications (Class I, Div 1 & 2)
• Diagnose and resolve control loop and process control issues
• Support advanced control strategies and optimization efforts
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on instrumentation systems
• Participate in root cause failure analysis (RCFA) and incident investigations
• Oversee and verify quality of contractor instrumentation work

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of an Instrumentation/Controls apprenticeship, technical program, or equivalent experience
• Significant experience in industrial or refinery instrumentation

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of:
• Process instrumentation and measurement principles
• Control systems (DCS/PLC) and loop tuning fundamentals
• Signal types (4–20 mA, HART, Foundation Fieldbus, etc.)
• Control valves, actuators, and positioners
• Electrical fundamentals related to instrumentation
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Troubleshoot complex control and instrumentation issues independently
• Interpret process conditions and relate them to instrumentation performance
• Lead jobs and coordinate with operations, maintenance, and engineering
• Strong understanding of:
• Hazardous area requirements
• Industry standards and best practices
• Effective leadership, communication, and mentoring skills

Physical & Work Environment:

• Ability to work in refinery conditions including:
• Elevated structures and confined spaces
• Exposure to extreme temperatures and industrial hazards
• Ability to wear required PPE, including FR clothing and respiratory protection as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• NCCER Instrumentation certification or equivalent
• Experience with specific DCS/PLC platforms (e.g., Honeywell, Emerson, Yokogawa, Allen-Bradley)
• Working knowledge of analyzer systems and advanced process control (APC)
• Experience with CMMS systems (e.g., SAP)

Role Expectations (Mastery Level):

• Works independently with minimal supervision
• Recognized as a subject matter expert in instrumentation and control systems
• Leads troubleshooting of critical process issues impacting production and safety
• Coaches and develops less experienced technicians
• Drives reliability improvements and instrumentation best practices
• Ensures precision, accuracy, and compliance in all work performed