Instrumentation Technician

Salary : $60,060.20 - $105,105.59 Annually
Location : 5310 Hawthorne Rd., La Plata, MD
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00232
Department: PW UT - MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


Summary
The hiring salary for this position is $60,060.20 annually.

Open until filled with a best consideration date of September 16, 2026. This posting may close without notice.
Charles County Government is seeking a dynamic Instrumentation Technician to carry out the maintenance of electronics equipment in the Utilities Division of the Department of Public Works; organize and perform the installation, modification, maintenance, and repair of complex electronics used in water facilities, treatment plants, pumping stations and metering vaults. Technician will maintain and troubleshoot electrical equipment throughout the County. This position will install new 4-20 ma instruments and equipment and ensure process controllers and computers are functioning properly and changes control logic parameters, where allowable and necessary, and electronic equipment and various types of instrumentations are functioning properly. Maintains records on testing, calibration, and repairs of instruments and equipment.

Essential Job Functions

• Troubleshoots and performs electronics maintenance functions for the Division's water and sewer systems.
• Repairs and installs 0-480 voltage electrical equipment.
• Performs the installation of instrumentation used in water and sewage pumping stations, water and sewer treatment facilities, and similar equipment in various locations, etc.
• Inspects facilities for proper operation of instrumentation and determines what defects exist and remedial action required.
• Investigates space and equipment in existing equipment and possible effects of proposed equipment on the system.
• Performs inspections at new facilities to assure that equipment is working properly and in accordance with specifications.
• Programs and troubleshoots PLCs (programmable logic controllers) using ladder logic and functional control block programming.
• Ensures that process controllers and computers are functioning properly and changes control logic parameters where allowable and necessary.
• Ensures that electronic equipment and various types of instrumentations functions properly.
• Maintains records on testing, calibration, and repairs of instruments and equipment.
• Uses industrial test equipment such as amp meters, voltmeters, manometers, , and specialized test equipment to monitor and calibrate electronic and instrumentation systems.
• Prepares record drawings of modifications to existing systems.
• Performs related electronic tasks.
• Performs maintenance and troubleshoots automated control processors.
• Follows proper safety procedures for electronic/instrumentation/communication work.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.
• Uses computerized maintenance data system (INFOR), to keep track of work orders.
• Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair electrical control systems operating at 0-120 VAC .
• Maintain and repair electrical components, including lighting systems, receptacles, heaters, and small appliances.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education and Experience:
High school diploma or an acceptable equivalency diploma (GED). Three (3) years of experience at the level of instrument/electronics technician; electrical work experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
Licenses or Certifications:
Must possess a valid driver's license.
Preferred Journeyman Electrician.
Special Requirements/Qualifications:
Subject to work beyond the normal scheduled hours of work.
Subject to call back in emergencies.
Serve on-call duty on a rotational basis.
May work in confined space areas.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE POSITION, AND EMPLOYEES IN THIS POSITION ARE SUBJECT TO RANDOM DRUG AND ALCOHOL SCREENING.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the methods and practices involved in installing, maintaining, and operating a wide variety of electronic equipment.
• Knowledge of the standard practices and materials of the instrumentation trade.
• Knowledge of possible defects and faults in the gear common to those trades and of effective corrective measures.
• Knowledge of 4-20Madc and basic relay operation.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the solution of technical problems with review made on the final results obtained.
• Ability to research, read, understand, and apply information in technical bulletins, service manuals, and operations manuals.
• Ability to work from drawings and specifications.
• Ability to perform the construction, troubleshooting, and maintenance of major process control instrumentation installations.
• Ability to have satisfactory working relationships.
• Ability to use the tools and equipment of the field effectively.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to pass annual Pulmonary Breathing Function Test (will be required to be clean-shaven).
• Ability to enter confined spaces, with proper training.

Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is regularly active with periods of heavy exertion. Typical positions require workers to walk or stand for long periods; climb tanks and towers; lift and carry up to 75 pounds; climb stairs, ladders, and scaffolding; bend, kneel, crouch and crawl; reach, hold, grasp, and turn objects; feel the size, shape, and temperature of items; use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards; speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing, to detect odors, and to differentiate all colors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office, in shop or field settings and outside environment. This is a sewage treatment plant and employee is subject to hazards of that environment; exposed to raw sewage; and exposed to in inclement weather.
Department/Division: Public Work/Utilities/Maintenance Support

Pay Grade: 112

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: No

Reports To: Equipment Maintenance Supervisor

Supervises: None
Charles County Government
BENEFITS SUMMARY
. GovernmentJobs . com / Careers / CharlesCountyMD
Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.


Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.


Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.


Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.


Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.


Employee Leave
• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.


Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.


Work Schedules
• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026
01


The hiring salary for this position is $60,060.20 annually. Internal candidates selected for this position will receive a salary according to the county's promotional pay increase policy. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the salary for this position.

• I acknowledge this is the salary for this position.

02


The position you are applying for requires an acceptable driving record. The Charles County Government employee driving policy states that employees will be considered to have an acceptable driving record if ALL of the following statements are true: - I do not exceed a maximum of four (4) points on my driving record. - I do not have a suspended or revoked license. - I do not have a single motor vehicle violation, conviction, or plea of Nolo Contendere, or the acceptance of Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) involving the use of alcohol, illegal drugs, refusal to take an alcohol or drug test, or the misuse of legal over-the-counter medication for any of these violations. - I have not demonstrated a pattern of unsafe vehicle operation as evidenced by moving violations or single infraction of such severity (e.g., eluding a police officer; evading responsibility; failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, reckless driving, etc.).According to these guidelines, do you have an acceptable driving record?

• Yes
• No

03


For the top candidate selected for this position, the next steps in the hiring process will include verification of employment history and reference checking. We will contact your current employer and two additional professional references following a conditional offer. We will also conduct a background check, driver record check and physical exam, if applicable, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening before a final offer is extended. Please confirm that you are acknowledging that if you are the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

• I confirm that I am acknowledging that if I am the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

04


Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?

• Yes
• No

Required Question