Job Details

Controls Technician I or II

SALARY: $7,769.00 - $10,746.00 Monthly

OPENING DATE: 04/08/2024

CLOSING DATE: Continuous

The District

The District is a medium-sized, municipal, water agency with a Board of Directors/General Manager form of government, 245 full-time employees and a $143.2 million combined annual operating and capital budget for FY 2024. Annually, the District delivers water to over 190,000 residents and businesses in the central and southern portions of Marin County and has stewardship responsibilities for 21,000 acres of pristine watershed lands on Mt. Tamalpais.

Position Overview

The System Control Department of the Operations Division is recruiting for one regular, full-time Controls Technician I or II. Under supervision and depending upon level, participates in/or performs the programming, installation, and maintenance of all components associated with control systems located throughout the District, and performs related work as required. This position will be staffed at a level commensurate with the qualifications of the selected individual, and requires an on-site day-to-day presence (non-telecommuting role).

Distinguishing Characteristics

Controls Technician I:

This is the first level in the Control Technician series. Incumbents receive specific assignments and operate under close supervision until their knowledge and job skills expand. Incumbents are expected to increase their knowledge, skills and abilities related to the installation and repair of control system equipment in order to move to the Controls Technician II.

Controls Technician II:

This is the journey level in the Controls Technician series. Incumbents are expected to troubleshoot and perform independently the more difficult electrical and electronic repairs to control systems located throughout the District.

Positions in the Controls Technician class series are flexibly staffed; positions at the Controls Technician II level are normally filled by advancement from the Controls Technician I level; progression to the Controls Technician II level is dependent on (i) management affirmation that the position is performing the full range of duties assigned to the classification; (ii) satisfactory work performance; (iii) the incumbent meeting the minimum qualifications for the classification including any licenses and certifications; (iv) the incumbent satisfactorily meeting the internal promotional criteria; and (v) management approval for progression to the Controls Technician II level.

Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. The deadline for the first review of applications is on Thursday, April 25, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Applicants are encouraged to apply promptly as this recruitment may close at any time without notice.

Examples of Duties

Typical duties may include but are not limited to the following:

For Controls Technician I:

• Participates in the programming, installation, and maintenance of programmable logic controllers (PLC);


• installs, maintains, and repairs telemetry communication devices, such as modems, digital service units, port expanders and 900 MHz MAS radios;


• performs database modifications to SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) system software;


• performs modifications to SCADA system operator interface screens;


• performs electrical and electronic repairs;


• maintains control system documentation;


• keeps abreast of technological changes;


• follows applicable safety rules and regulations.

For Controls Technician II:

• Programs, installs, and maintains programmable logic controllers (PLC);


• installs, maintains, and repairs telemetry communication devices, such as modems, digital service units, and 900 MHz MAS radios;


• installs, maintains, and repairs control system equipment used for the purposes of monitoring and controlling process variables such as flow, pressure, liquid level, pH turbidity, etc.;


• performs the more difficult database modifications to Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system software;


• performs the more difficult modifications to SCADA system operator interface screens;


• performs the more difficult electrical and electronic control system repairs;


• maintains control system documentation;


• participates in the design and modification of control system hardware and software;


• trains others in the more difficult tasks;


• prepares written reports and makes as-built drawings of completed jobs;


• uses a computerized maintenance system to organize the maintenance of control system components;


• keeps abreast of technological changes;


• follows applicable safety rules and regulations.

Qualifications

For Controls Technician I:

Knowledge of:

• Testing and calibration of telemetry sensing devices;


• terms, practices and procedures common to the electronic or electrical trades;


• tools and instruments used in the repair and maintenance of electronic, electrical and mechanical/electrical equipment;


• computer hardware and operating systems used in modern SCADA systems.

Ability to:

• Interpret and work from schematic diagrams;


• repair and maintain electronic, electrical and mechanical/electrical equipment;


• understand and learn from technical documentation associated with District control systems;


• understand and use software used in modern control systems;


• troubleshoot and diagnose equipment failures;


• understand and carry out written and oral instructions;


• deal effectively with those contacted in the course of work;


• travel to alternative work locations and off-site meetings;


• drive a vehicle.

Training and Experience:

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:

• Completion of the twelfth grade or its equivalent; and two years' working with computer systems or electronic/electrical equipment;

OR

• An Associate of Science degree in instrumentation, measurement and control, electrical, electronics or mechanical technologies or closely related field.

For Controls Technician II:

Knowledge of:

• Testing and calibration of analyzers and telemetry sensing devices;


• serial data communications;


• terms, practices and procedures common to the electronic and electrical trade;


• tools and instruments used in the repair and maintenance of electronic, electrical and mechanical/electrical equipment.

Ability to:

• Repair and maintain electronic, electrical and mechanical/electrical equipment;


• interpret and work from schematic diagrams;


• troubleshoot and diagnose equipment failures;


• understand and learn from technical documentation associated with District control systems;


• understand and use software used in modern control systems;


• learn and use a variety of application software;


• prepare as-built drawings of completed jobs;


• prepare and write concise reports;


• maintain accurate schedules and records;


• understand and carry out written and oral instructions;


• deal effectively with those contacted in the course of work;


• travel to alternative work locations and off-site meetings;


• drive a vehicle.

Training and Experience:

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:

• Completion of the twelfth grade or its equivalent; and two years' working with computer systems or electronic/electrical equipment; and an Associate of Science degree in instrumentation, measurement and control, electrical, electronics or mechanical technologies or closely related field.

OR

• Completion of the twelfth grade or its equivalent, and four years of experience working with or installing electronic process control or SCADA equipment, at least two of which included working at a level equivalent to a Controls Technician I.

Knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems used in modern SCADA systems is desirable.

Licenses and Certifications

For Controls Technician I:

• Possession of an appropriate California driver's license issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles and satisfactory driving record; and


• Possession of a valid D1 Distribution Operator Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is required within one year of hire.


• Possession of an Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society (ISA) certification as "Level I Certified Control Systems Technician" is HIGHLY DESIRABLE.

For Controls Technician II:

• Possession of an appropriate California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles and satisfactory driving record; and


• Possession of a valid D1 Distribution Operator Certification issued by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) is required within one year of hire.


• Possession of an Instrumentation, Systems, and Automation Society (ISA) certification as "Level II Certified Control Systems Technician" is HIGHLY DESIRABLE.

Other Requirements

• Per California Government Code, Title 1, Division 4, Chapter 8, Section 3100 "all public employees are hereby declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law."


• Work on an "on call" basis and carry a District provided pager for emergency situations.