Instrument Technician I

Salary : $67,504.05 - $94,984.97 Annually
Location : Sacramento, CA
Job Type: Full-Time Career
Job Number: 003648-26-DOU
Department: Utilities
Division: Electrical/Instrument/SCADA
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: 10/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


THE POSITION
THIS POSITION IS FOR INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN I

The Instrument Technician I performs calibrations on a range of instruments including level transmitters, pressure transmitters, turbidimeters, particle counters, pressure switches, chlorine analyzers, pH analyzers, and fluoride analyzers. This position is also involved in researching new instruments and their installation into our system. This position calibrates and installs instrumentation on both the Water and Wastewater areas.


IDEAL CANDIDATE STATEMENT
The ideal candidate will have formal training related to electronics, electrical theory, or process instrumentation. They will have experience installing, servicing, and repairing of electronic and pneumatic instruments, and instrument systems such as chemical analyzers, pressure sensors, telemetry, computer-based process control instruments, data logging devices, and remote telemetry-controlled equipment in an industrial application, preferably in water treatment and conveyance.

To perform technical duties in the installation, servicing, and repair of electronic and pneumatic instruments and instrument systems such as chemical analyzers, pressure sensors, telemeters, and computer-based process control and data logging and remote control equipment.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Instrument Technician I

This is the journey level. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are filled by advancement from the Junior level, or when filled from the outside, require prior experience installing, servicing, and repairing electronic and pneumatic instruments and instrument systems. Appointment to I level requires that the employee is performing the full range of difficult and skilled work. Incumbents are not, however, expected to perform as knowledgeably as and at the skill level of Instrument Technicians II.

Instrument Technician II

This is the advanced journey level. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the lower class of Instrument Technician I, or if filled from the outside, employees would be required to have extensive experience installing, servicing, and repairing electronic and pneumatic instruments and instrument systems, and to have completed all appropriate training courses.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

An Electrician Supervisor provides general direction to II-level Technicians, and direction to I-level Technicians. Technical supervision may be provided by II-level Technicians to other Technician staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES


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

- Conduct preventive maintenance, calibration and testing program to carry out a continuous program of instrument inspection and maintenance in an effort to preclude equipment failure and related process control problems.
- Repair, correct, and adjust equipment which does not meet predetermined standards of operating efficiency.
- Review work orders, blueprints, shop drawings, and maintenance schedules with supervisory personnel as necessary as related to specific maintenance and repair projects.
- Plan tool and work sequences necessary for maintenance activities and coordinate plans with assigned personnel to assure mutual understanding about goals and methods.
- Assist in design and construction of new equipment or modification of existing electronic systems.
- Maintain inventory of tools, records, parts, and other material necessary for preventive maintenance of equipment.
- Provide instruction to operations and maintenance personnel to assure better understanding of equipment.
- Work may occasionally be performed in hazardous areas, including but not limited to, sewage sumps, elevated tanks, and high voltage equipment.
- Perform related work as required.

QUALIFICATIONS


Instrument Technician I

Knowledge of:

- The practices, methods, tools, materials, and equipment used in the maintenance and repair of electronic equipment.
- Electrical circuits and wiring systems including the advanced principles of electrical and electronic theory.
- The theory, principles, and applications of solid state circuitry as used in computers and programmable controllers.
- Occupational hazards and standard safety precautions necessary in the work.

Ability to:

- Occasionally lift heavy objects as required.
- Analyze problems, and initiate corrective procedures.
- Plan, organize, and coordinate the work of others.
- Keep records and prepare necessary reports as required.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.
- Work with independence to make decisions relative to work methods and tools.
- Understand and interpret written and oral instructions, including blueprints and wiring diagrams.

Experience and Education:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

One year of experience comparable to that of an Instrument Technician Trainee in the City of Sacramento, or three years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of industrial instrumentation, control, and communication system components involving the application of physical, chemical, and electronics principles.

Education:

One year of full-time college-level coursework in instrumentation, physical science, and electronics, or equivalent training in a recognized trade or technical school may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
COMPARABLE CLASSIFICATION SPECIFICATION
To see the classification specification for the comparable classification of Instrument Technician Trainee , please click here.


PROOF OF EDUCATION

Should education be used to qualify for this position, then proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with your application and will be required at the time of appointment . Unofficial documents and/or copies are acceptable.

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due at time of appointment.
Instrument Technician II

In addition to the qualifications for Instrument Technician I:

Knowledge of:

- Components and parts of the most complicated, state of the art instruments and equipment used in electronic and pneumatic instruments and instrument systems work.
- Principles of technical supervision.

Ability to:

- Work with virtually total independence.
- Install, service, and repair the most complicated, state of the art instruments and equipment used in electronic and pneumatic instruments and instrument systems work.
- Supervise the technical functions of lower level instrument technician staff.

Experience and Education:

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

Two years of experience comparable to that of an Instrument Technician I in the City of Sacramento, or five years of experience installing, servicing, and repairing electronic and pneumatic instruments and instrument systems.

Education:

Completion of all appropriate training programs in the most complicated electronic and pneumatic instruments and instrument systems.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Driver License:

Possession of a valid California Class III Driver License at the time of appointment. Loss of the Class III License is cause for discipline. Individuals who do not meet this requirement due to physical disability will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Residency Requirement:

Employees in these classifications must reside within thirty-five (35) air miles from the freeway interchange at W-X Streets, 29th - 30th Streets within one year following appointment.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD:


Employees must complete twelve (12) months of probation at a satisfactory performance level prior to gaining permanent status.

THE SELECTION PROCEDURE
Please note, the City of Sacramento's preferred method of communication with applicants is via e-mail. As such, please ensure you verify the e-mail address on your application, and check your e-mail frequently, including your spam and junk folders. All e-mail notifications can also be accessed through the governmentjobs.com applicant inbox.

1. Application: (Pass/Fail) - All applicants must complete and submit online a City of Sacramento employment application by the final filing deadline;

• Employment applications must be submitted online; paper applications will not be accepted.
• Employment applications will be considered incomplete and will be disqualified:
  • If applicants do not list current and/or past job-related experience in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).

• If "see resume" is noted in the "Work Experience" section; a resume will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section.
• Proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted online with your application. Proof of education will be required at time of appointment.
• Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position.
• If you're requesting Veteran's credit, a copy of your DD214 must be submitted online with your application or emailed to the Employment Office by the final filing deadline. Information regarding the use of Veteran's credit can be found in the Civil Service Board rules under rule 4.9C.
• Applicants are responsible for attaching a copy of their DD214 to each position for which they apply.

2. Training and Experience Exam : (Weighted 100%) - The questions located at the end of the application are the Training and Experience (T&E) Exam. Responses to the T&E questions will be rated and scored. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. The exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. When completing the T&E questions, please note:

• Responses to the T&E questions must be submitted online; paper questionnaires will not be accepted.
• A resume will not substitute for the information required in the T&E questions.

3. Eligibility : Candidates who pass the Training and Experience Test will be placed on the eligible list. The hiring department may contact candidates for interview at any time during the life of the one-year list. Candidate's eligibility expires one year from the date of notification of a passing score for the Instrument Technician I examination.
4. Screening Committee : (Pass/Fail)- All candidates that pass the examination and are in one of the top three ranks will have their application forwarded to the hiring department for review. The hiring department will select the most competitive applications for further consideration. Human Resources will only evaluate employment applications for the minimum qualifications, as stated on the job announcement, for applications selected by the hiring department.
5. Conditional Hire: Upon receipt of a conditional offer, the selected candidate must complete and pass Live Scan/fingerprinting. If applicable, candidates may also need to pass a pre-employment medical exam, controlled substance and/or alcohol test, and possess any required licensure or certification prior to receiving a start date from the Department. Failure to meet these prerequisites will be grounds for withdrawal of your conditional offer of employment.
QUESTIONS: For questions concerning this job announcement and the application process:

• Please visit for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the application process.
• For technical support between 6 AM - 5 PM PT, contact Live Applicant Support at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
• Visit the City of Sacramento Human Resources Department website at
• Send an email to View email address on click.appcast.io; or
• Call the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io

Bilingual Pay
Did you know that the City offers bilingual pay? That's right, most labor agreements offer the option of providing employees with bilingual pay if the department deems it to be operationally necessary.

Pension Reform Act
The City of Sacramento is covered by the California Public Employees' Retirement System, and as such, must adhere to the California Public Employee's Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) of 2013. Please note that the provisions within this act may affect or impact an applicant's eligibility and/or selection for open vacancies at the City of Sacramento.


Equal Opportunity Employer
The City of Sacramento is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Additional Information
Civil Service Rules:


Union Contracts:
Salary Schedule:
01



APPLICATION : I understand my application must meet the minimum qualifications for consideration of employment with the City of Sacramento. The experience I list in the duties area of the "Work Experience" section of the employment application will be used to determine if I meet the minimum qualifications as stated on the job announcement. A resume, responses to the supplemental questions requiring a narrative response, employment history listed elsewhere in the application or attachments will not substitute for the information required in the "Work Experience" section of the employment application. Position/job titles will not be considered in determining eligibility for meeting the minimum qualifications for this position. Note: Qualifying experience is based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Qualifying experience is calculated to the full-time equivalent (pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week).Please refer to the City of Sacramento's Applicant Resources Page for Screening Instructions:

• Yes

02



PROOF OF EDUCATION: To qualify for this classification you may use any combination of education and/or experience as listed to provide required knowledge, skills, and abilities.I understand proof of education such as, but not limited to, university/college transcripts and degrees should be submitted with my application and will be required at the time of appointment if I am using education to qualify for this position.Please refer to the City of Sacramento's Proof of Education Requirements ( for information on accepted documentation.

• Yes

03



EDUCATION CONFIRMATION: If I am using education to qualify for this position, I attest I possess or will possess the following level of education by time of appointment if I am selected for this position.

• No units from an accredited college or university
• Less than 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• 60 semester or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• Associates Degree
• 90 semester or 135 quarter units from an accredited college or university
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctorate

04



DRIVER'S LICENSE CONFIRMATION: I attest I possess or will possess a valid California Class III Driver's License by the time of appointment if I am selected for this position.

• Yes
• No

05



RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: I understand that I must reside within thirty five (35) air miles from the freeway interchange at W-X Street, 29th - 30th Streets within one year following appointment.

• Yes

06



SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE : The answers to the questions below will be reviewed by the hiring department along with the information provided in your employment application. Therefore, your answers must be consistent with your employment application information (especially in the "Education" and "Work Experience" sections), must be unambiguous, and must contain sufficient but concise detail and organization. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of completing this Supplemental Questionnaire. Lack of clarity, incomplete or inconsistent information, and/or disorganized presentation may negatively affect the hiring department's review of your Supplemental Questionnaire. I understand and agree to the above instructions.

• Yes

07


Describe your instrumentation experience, including the types of instruments you have experience working with and calibrating.
08


Describe a situation where an instrument or piece of equipment was not operating properly. What steps did you take to identify the problem, and how did you verify that the instrument or equipment was operating correctly after the repair?
09


Describe your experience with radio communications, including the types and brands of radio equipment you have worked with.
10



TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE EXAMINATION : The following questions are the Training and Experience (T&E) Examination. In addition to the City of Sacramento employment application, applicants must complete and submit online responses to the T&E questions. This exam will evaluate the relevance, level, and progression of a candidate's education, training and experience. Therefore, your responses to the T&E Exam questions should be thorough and complete because the exam score will determine your ranking on the eligible list for this job. In accordance with the City of Sacramento's Racial and Gender Equity Action Plan (RGEAP), this examination contains non-binary names and pronouns. For additional information regarding the City's RGEAP, please copy and paste the following link into a web browser: I understand and agree to the above instructions.

• Yes

11


Select all the boxes that best describe testing equipment and tools you have experience with using.

• Multimeter
• Pressure Gauge Calibration Kit
• HART Communicator
• Cable Tester
• Temperature Calibrator
• Megohmmeter
• Torque Wrench
• Loop Calibrator
• Gas Detector
• Clamp Meter
• Insulation Tester
• Oscilloscope
• None of the above

12


Select all the boxes that best describe methods you have utilized to read blueprints and/or electrical wiring diagrams.

• Locate the title or header
• Understand the drawing scale
• Review the legend and notes
• Identify what type of specific drawing is being used in the blueprint/diagram
• Review cross-reference sheets
• Read the dimensions and measurements
• Interpret symbols and components
• Take notes or highlight sections as you go
• Ask questions of a colleague of supervisor with experience on the topic
• Search for additional resources that may be helpful
• None of the above

13


Select all the boxes that best describe the strategies you have used to ensure accurate reporting of maintenance and repair records for electrical and/or pneumatic instruments.

• Record information digitally, such as a spreadsheet or data base.
• Write legibly on paper/hard copy documents
• Verify accuracy of records/data
• Follow policies or procedures for record retention
• File records numerically, alphabetically, by date, and/or an equivalent organized order
• Include all backup documentation with record
• None of the above

14


Select all the boxes that best demonstrate the steps you have taken to troubleshoot a difficult situation and implement appropriate solutions.

• Define the problem clearly
• Determine what decision needs to be made and any potential limitations
• Gather as much information as possible and analyze
• Assess potential pros and cons
• Look for patterns, past experiences, or data that may provide insight
• Document plan of action
• Communicate the solution to all necessary supervisors/management and get feedback
• Choose the best solution option based on analysis and available resources
• Execute the developed solution
• Monitor and determine the impact of the solution
• As new information becomes available, reassess and adapt accordingly
• None of the above

Required Question