Instrument Technician I/II

Job Description:

Instrument Technician I/II

Description

Description

PLEASE READ THIS BULLETIN IN ITS ENTIRETY

THE POSITION
5% COLA increase effective July 2025
5% COLA increase effective July 2026

This recruitment is being conducted to fill one full-time vacancy. The list established by this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, limited term, and temporary vacancies for up to one year.

The City of Vallejo is seeking a candidate for one Instrument Technician position, as a collaborative member of the City's Water Department. The Instrument Technician will be able to effectively, efficiently and safely perform daily inspections, preventive maintenance, calibration, installation, and repair of a variety of instrumentation and electrical equipment. They will have knowledge of installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and calibration of a large variety of instrumentation and electrical systems, controls and equipment commonly used in large municipal drinking-water treatment plants, pump stations, storage tanks and reservoirs. They will also have knowledge of variable frequency drives, motor control centers, motors, digital and analog instruments, water quality and process control analyzers, high medium, and low voltage equipment, sub stations, co-generation systems, solar and emergency power systems, transfer switches, controls, valve operators, rectifiers, cathodic protection systems, pump control systems, PLC's, SCADA, radio communication and various network systems.

Instrument Technician I - Ideal candidates will possess at least one year of experience performing skilled field work in pneumatic, mechanical, electromechanical and electronic circuitry repair, the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and have completed of a two-year formal electrical apprenticeship program and/or training in electronic technology.

Instrument Technician II - Ideal candidates will possess at least two years of experience performing skilled field work in pneumatic, mechanical, electromechanical and electronic circuitry repair, the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, and have completed of a two-year formal electrical apprenticeship program and/or training in electronic technology.

While not required, possession of a California Department of Public Health Distribution Operator D1 or D2 License, California Department of Public Health Treatment Operator License T1 or T2, a California State Division of Industrial Standards Electrician's license, ISA certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) Level II certificate, and a California Water Environment Association Electrical Instrumentation Technician Grade I or II Certification are highly desirable licenses and certifications.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Vallejo Water Department is a dynamic organization engaged in growth and positive change for the benefit of our customers and community. The Department provides potable water to 121,000 customers through a highly complex system including multiple raw water sources, three treatment plants, a Sludge Dewatering Facility, 600 miles of distribution pipes, 8 pressure zones, 27 pump stations and 37,000 service connections. Vallejo Water is a Treatment-5/Distribution-5system. In 2017, Vallejo water services transitioned from a division of Public Works, to a standalone Water Department reporting directly to the City Manager. This change gives drinking water-related operations and issues greater visibility and strategic direction for the benefit of rate-payers. The Water Department's strategic goals include: infrastructure reliability, public trust, sustainability, organizational performance, and financial viability.

The Water Department has six Divisions: Water Treatment, Engineering, Distribution, Watershed and Facilities Management, and Administration/Conservation. The Water Quality Division of the Water Department is an important stakeholder in projects unfolding in Vallejo and the Advance Water Treatment Plant Operator is a key member of the team.

SALARY

Instrument Technician I:
Hourly: $39.4743 - $47.9813 | Bi-weekly: $3,157.94 - $3,838.50 | Monthly: $6,842.21 - $8,316.76 | Annually: $82,106.54 - $99,801.10

Instrument Technician II:
Hourly: $43.8387 - $53.2862 | Bi-weekly: $3,507.10 - $4,262.90 | Monthly: $7,598.71 - $9,236.28 | Annually: $91,184.50 - $110,835.30

THE CITY OF VALLEJO

The City of Vallejo is located in Solano County and has a population of approximately 121,000 residents. Vallejo is a rapidly changing, highly diverse community located midway between the cities of San Francisco and Sacramento. It is a friendly, active waterfront community that attracts innovative, hardworking people and takes great pride in its 148-year history and maritime heritage. Residents of Vallejo are situated to take advantage of the best of what the area has to offer. Golf, museums, performing arts, boutique shopping, brewpubs and a wide selection of restaurants are all available in Vallejo. Residents and visitors alike enjoy Vallejo's delightful historical downtown area, weekly downtown farmer's market, and beautifully restored Victorian homes and business facades. Vallejo is also home to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, one of America's only combination wildlife, oceanarium and theme parks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Instrument Technician I - This is the entry level class in the Instrument Technician series. This class is distinguished from the Instrument Technician II by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within the series including maintenance, repair, replacement, design and calibration of controllers, instrumentation, and equipment as knowledge and experience grow and develop. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited related work experience. This type of experience is typically found in refinery, manufacturing, process control plant, and or college course work related to process instrumentation and industrial electrical/control maintenance and repair.

Instrument Technician II - This is the full journey level class within the Instrument Technician series. Employees within this class are distinguished from the Instrument Technician I by the performance of the full range of duties as assigned including all maintenance, repair, replacement, design and calibration of all instruments, controls and equipment used in all City water treatment plants, pumping stations and hydroelectric power plant; and other duties as assigned. Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the Instrument Technician I-level when they have demonstrated journey-level knowledge and skills, or when filled from the outside, have prior, directly related experience.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Instrument Technician I - Receives immediate supervision from more experienced staff, supervisory and management staff.

Instrument Technician II - Receives general supervision from more experienced staff, supervisory and management staff. May provide functional and technical work direction to less experienced staff.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Instrument Technician I
- Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following :

• Installs, maintains, calibrates, and repairs microcomputer-based data acquisition and control systems, including telemeters, programmable logic controllers, monitoring and process control equipment and instrumentation.
• Makes inspections and performs periodic preventative maintenance on various control, metering, recording and display equipment; cleans, lubricates, calibrates and/or adjusts equipment as needed.
• Troubleshoots and diagnoses electronic, electro-mechanical instrumentation malfunctions; completes component level repairs or advises system contractor(s) of other repair requirements as appropriate.
• Uses software diagnostic routines and tests equipment to verify and/or adjust control system equipment according to manufacturer's recommendations.
• Installs, maintains and repairs multi-channel system radio and telephone, and calibrates microwave electronic equipment, antennas, battery backup power supplies and grounding systems including connections to existing systems.
• Reads and interprets wiring schematics, mechanical drawings and specifications as necessary to install, service and/or repair equipment in accordance with related regulations.
• May make estimates of labor, materials and supplies necessary for the performance of specific assignments.
• Keeps records and makes verbal and written reports of work performed.
• Installs, maintains, monitors, overhauls, calibrates and tests a wide variety of electronic recording, indicating, controlling, telemetering and other test instruments including but not limited to programmable logic controllers, communications systems, digital and/or analog instrumentation, printed circuits, magnetic flow meters, differential pressure transducers, multiplex equipment, flow meters, process control equipment, loss-of-head indicators, level indicators, solid state equipment, alarm circuits and systems, pressure and temperature regulators, gauges and recorders, chemical feeder controllers and telemetering receivers and transmitters.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Instrument Technician II
- In addition to the duties established for Instrument Technician I:

• May direct the work of other maintenance employees as required; ensures proper adherence to safety precautions.
• May inspect relevant work performed by contractors installing new electronic equipment in City facilities.
• Maintain and operate high voltage switch gear.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Instrument Technician I
Knowledge of:

• Some familiarity with methods, practices and tools used in maintaining, repairing, testing and calibrating electro-mechanical recording and metering instruments, programmable logic controllers, process control equipment, and mechanical linkage and telemetering systems.
• General safety practices, precautions and procedures pertaining to the work.
• Computer based data acquisition and control systems; microwave point to point and point-to-multi-point channel radio data communications equipment; telephone line interface for data communications; software diagnostic routines and test equipment; metering instruments and open and closed loop control systems.
• Common equipment, tools and materials used in electronic and instrument maintenance and repair.
• Applied principles of electronic and electrical theory, including Ohm's law; basic D.C. circuit analysis; A.C. circuit analysis; and, applicable mathematics including algebra, geometry and trigonometry as related to specific work applications.

Ability to:

• Learn to diagnose mechanical, electrical and electronic difficulties/malfunctions in instrumentation, programmable logic controllers, control and telemetering systems.
• Read and interpret wiring schematics, diagrams, mechanical drawings and specifications.
• Make repairs to electronic, electro mechanical metering and process control instruments.
• Estimate labor and materials to effect repair or replacement as needed.
• Keep accurate records and make oral and written reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Perform skilled maintenance, calibration and repair of a variety of plant, electronic, and electro-mechanical instrumentation.
• Lift and carry tools, supplies, and equipment which may exceed 50 pounds.
• Use a variety of tools, including a variety of test equipment as required.
• Work independently, efficiently and accountably under general direction.
• Install metal or PVC electrical conduit.

Assist with maintenance of high voltage switch gear.
Instrument Technician II
In addition to the knowledge and abilities established for Instrument Technician I:

Knowledge of:

• Considerable knowledge of all areas specified under Instrument Technician I sufficient for performing journey-level work.
• Principles, techniques and operations involved in water treatment and distribution.

Ability to:

• Perform the full range of duties for this class at the journey-level.
• Direct the work of other employees.
• Respond to emergency call outs.

Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Instrument Technician I
Experience:
Preferably completion of a formal, two-year electrical apprenticeship program and/or training in electronic technology.

OR

Some experience performing skilled field work in pneumatic, mechanical, electro mechanical and electronic circuitry repair, at least some of this time having involved work on instrumentation, field and process controls.

Training:
Completion of the twelfth grade, or its equivalent.

License or Certificate:
Must possess and maintain a valid, appropriate California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.

Instrument Technician II
Experience:
Completion of a two-year formal electrical apprenticeship program and/or training in electronic technology.

OR

Two years of experience performing skilled field work in pneumatic, mechanical, electro mechanical and electronic circuitry repair, at least some of this time having involved work on instrumentation, field and process controls equivalent to that of an Instrument Technician I with the City of Vallejo.

Training:

Completion of the twelfth grade, or its equivalent

License or Certificate :
Must possess and maintain a valid, appropriate California driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record.

*Any license, certification, or registration required for this position shall be maintained (i.e. active and in good standing) at all times during employment with City of Vallejo. For continued employment with City of Vallejo, you must maintain such license, certification, or registration to meet the minimum qualifications of this position.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Must be medically approved for wearing a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), and remain shaven of facial hair at all times as required to wear respiratory protection equipment.

Must maintain the ability to perform required duties while wearing SCBA.

Must be able to work safety while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Work on an unscheduled basis for emergency situations; must be willing to work any day and any shift within a 24-hour period as assigned, including rotations, holidays, weekends and overtime as needed.
Must be able to pass a stringent background check to enter the Travis Air Force Base Water facility.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Working Conditions
Must possess physical characteristics to perform the critical and important duties of the class, including sufficient physical agility to work in high or confined spaces. Must be willing to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and work overtime as needed.

The Recruitment & Selection Process

• Applications are due by 5:00 P.M. on Friday, November 29, 2024. Applicants must submit a completed City of Vallejo online application, including all responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (Resume/Cover Letter Optional), by the posted deadline in order to be considered.

NOTE: If you have problems creating a user account, obtaining your already created account information, or submitting your online application, please contact governmentjobs.com applicant support directly at 855-524-5627. City of Vallejo staff are unable to assist with these issues.

• Applications will be screened for overall qualifications the week of December 2, 2024.

• Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications may have their supplemental responses scored by subject matter experts the week of December 2, 2024. The most qualified applicants from the scoring of the supplemental questions will be invited for an Oral Panel Interview.

• Oral Panel Interviews are tentatively scheduled to take place the week of December 16, 2024. Oral Panel Interviews are weighted at 100% of the candidates' score. Candidates must achieve a minimum passing score of 70%. Those achieving 70% or higher will be placed on the Register of Eligibles (eligible list) and may be considered to fill positions for up to one year.
  
  The City reserves the right to limit the number of candidates to those determined to be best qualified based upon all requested application materials, including training and experience, current resume, and responses to supplemental questions.

• Candidates placed on the Register of Eligibles (eligible list) will be referred to the department for final interviews based on their performance in the exam. The number of candidates referred for a hiring interview is at the discretion of the hiring department.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS
The City of Vallejo is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, assessment or selection process may contact the Human Resources Department to request an accommodation. Please contact Sukari Dixon at (707) 648-4398 or send an email to: sukari.dixon@cityofvallejo.net no later than November 11, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.

PRIOR TO HIRE
The selected candidate will be required to: 1) Submit to reference checks 2) Submit to and successfully pass a pre-employment background check, including fingerprint check. 3) Successfully complete a job-related pre-placement medical exam. 4) Provide proof of legal right to work in the United States.

Disaster Service Workers - All City of Vallejo ("City") employees are designated Disaster Service Workers ("DSW") by state law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all DSW-related training as assigned and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Veteran's Preference - Veteran's preference points will be applied in accordance with Civil Service Rule 24. A copy of the DD 214 form must be filed at time of application.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) - The City of Vallejo is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the City of Vallejo to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.

Note: The provisions in this bulletin do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provisions contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.
Closing Date/Time: 11/29/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$82,311.63 - $110,835.30 Annually