Instrumentation Technician I

Salary : $52,893.57 - $92,563.74 Annually
Location : WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIV, 9399 RICHMOND HWY, LORTON (JP04), VA
Job Type: FT Hourly W BN
Job Number: 26-01424
Department: DPWES Wastewater Management
Opening Date: 09/19/2026
Closing Date: 10/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S18
Posting Type: Open to General Public


Job Announcement

$2,500 Signing Bonus*

Are you a curious individual that likes to learn how things work? Does troubleshooting & analyzing a problem motivate you? Are you looking for a new career & like industrial technology? If this is you, then you may find working in the Instrumentation Maintenance Branch of Fairfax County's Wastewater Mgmt. at the Noman M. Cole Jr Pollution Control Plant located in Lorton, Va. a good fit for you.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist in preventive maintenance & repairs of instrumentation and electronic equipment such as flow, level, and analytical measuring devices. These include doppler and transit time flow meters, magnetic flow meters, differential pressure flow meters, ultrasonic level meters, pressure level meters, PH analyzers, dissolved oxygen analyzers, ORP analyzers, turbidity analyzers, oxygen analyzers, and total hydrocarbon analyzers.
• Ability to read simple technical manuals or drawings & complete repairs from them.
• Can work alone on the least technical Instrumentation In the I& E field covering repairs, troubleshooting problems & preventive maintenance.
• Documents work completed in a computer-based work order system. Order spare part and perform other duties as required.
• Assist in maintaining the continuous emission monitoring system on the incinerator stacks.
• Assist in calibration and repair on sensor and alarm systems for oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, explosive gas (methane), and fire detection systems.

The ideal candidate: Will be detail oriented and have strong communication and interpersonal skills and be able to work independently.

Wastewater Management is part of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).

DPWES is a diverse, nationally accredited and award-winning public works agency with approximately 1,000 employees providing solid waste, capital facility development, wastewater, stormwater, urban forestry, and land acquisition management services for the most populous county in Virginia. Join our team to help us protect the environment and serve the people of Fairfax County by creating and preserving a sustainable community that is an ideal place to live, work, and play for everyone.

Benefits: Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates, and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial wellness.

Please review our awesome benefits:
Note: Wastewater Management positions are responsible for providing uninterrupted sewer service to residents during extreme inclement weather or other emergencies. This position is designated as emergency service and is subject to 24-hour on-call and may be required to report to work during extreme inclement weather or other emergencies, including after-hours and weekend work during emergency incidents to fulfill emergency service duties.

*A $2,500 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Instrumentation Technician I position.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to a high school diploma or GED issued by a state department of education; completion of a vocation course in electronics, one year of work experience related to the installation, maintenance and repair of industrial instrumentation or electronic/electrical equipment found in water or wastewater utilities.


CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid driver's license.
• Confined Space Certification within 6 months of hire.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, a pre-employment physical examination, and driving record check to the satisfaction of the employer.


Subject to 24 hour call back and must, therefore, be able to work emergency overtime. Subject to working in adverse weather conditions and may be exposed to raw waste or environments generating methane gas. Ability to distinguish different color wiring.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Coursework in instrumentation/electrical/electronic technology or related field.
• Electrical Journeymen License /or ISA certificate
• One year experience working in an industrial wastewater environment.
• One year of experience troubleshooting and repairing electrical & instrumentation control systems.
• One year of experience of working in water treatment, or a pump station maintenance group.
• One year of experience reading instrumentation data, interpreting schematics, circuit diagrams, and manuals related to instrumentation or electrical equipment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to distinguish colors. Ability to drive 1/2, 3/4- & 1-ton Utility truck and operate hoisting equipment. Ability to lift, carry, and handle items weighing up to 50 lbs. Ability to operate keyboard driven equipment and use other automated technology to input, access and retrieve information from a laptop or desktop. Ability to work in adverse weather conditions and temperatures. Frequent exposure to loud noises and rare exposure to airborne substances. Must be capable of climbing/crouching, bending and working in confined areas as this position requires the ability to enter permitted confined spaces. Per safety requirements, confined spaces may not be entered by people who weigh 310 lbs. or more. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

BONUS ELIGIBILITY: Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.


Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY View phone number on click.appcast.io. EEO/AA/TTY.


#LI-JT1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:

• Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
• Group Term Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability
• LiveWell Program
• Flexible Spending Programs
• Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
• Paid Holidays
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employees' Child Care Center
• Continuous Learning Opportunities

Please click for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:


For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions

1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
   • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
   • Flexible Spending Program
   • Deferred Compensation
2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
   • No benefits

01


What is the highest level of education that you have completed?

• Less than 12th grade
• High school diploma or GED
• Some college
• Associate's degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Doctorate degree

02


If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a related degree.

• Less than 45 quarter hours
• 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
• 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
• 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
• 180 or more quarter hours
• Less than 30 semester hours
• 30 to less than 60 semester hours
• 60 to less than 90 semester hours
• 90 to less than 120 semester hours
• 120 or more semester hours
• Not applicable

03


Have you completed a vocation course in electronics?

• Yes
• No

04


How many years of full-time equivalent experience related to the installation, maintenance and repair of industrial instrumentation or electronic/electrical equipment found in water or wastewater utilities do you possess?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five years or more

05


Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

06


How many years of experience do you possess as an Instrumentation Technician?

• None
• Less than one year
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three years or more

07


This position requires the incumbent to work flexible hours including Overtime, On call and Callback duties as necessary to accomplish tasks and deadlines. Are you able and willing to work flexible hours?

• Yes
• No

08


Have you ever worked at an industrial wastewater treatment plant or an industrial facility?

• Yes
• No

09


Do you possess a Journeyman's license in Instrumentation, Electrical or ISA certification?

• Yes
• No

Required Question