County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

This specification describes two levels of the Instrument Technician classification. Under supervision at the I level and under general supervision at the II level, installs, inspects, troubleshoots, maintains and repairs metering and recording instruments, controlling apparatus, data logging and display equipment, communications, radio telemetering and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems used in the Zone 7's Water Treatment, Production and Distribution System; and to perform other related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Instrument Technician II, Zone 7, is the journey-level classification responsible for independently performing the full range of duties assigned to this series while reporting to the Facilities Maintenance and Construction Supervisor, Zone 7. This class is primarily concerned with the installation, documentation, maintenance and repair of instruments and control equipment for facilities common to a public water production and distribution system. This level of work covers the entire scope of mechanical, electromechanical, electrochemical, digital, analog, water quality analytical instrumentation and telemetry systems including SCADA and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) software and hardware.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.


1. Installs, maintains, repairs, overhauls, calibrates, and tests a wide variety of pneumatic instrumentation, electronic recording, indicating, controlling, telemetering, and testing instruments including level, flow, pressure, temperature, position, water analysis and gas detectors.

2. Makes periodic preventative maintenance inspection of all metering control instruments.

3. Lays out, installs, aligns, and places into service new metering and recording devices, calibrating as required.

4. Reads and interprets wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, and specifications in making installations or performing major repair work.

5. Makes estimates of labor, materials, and supplies necessary for the performance of specific assignments.

6. Keeps records, makes verbal and written reports of work performed.

7. Updates shop drawings, schematics and wiring diagrams as changes occur.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of three years full-time experience as an Instrument Technician I, Zone 7 or higher-level class in the Alameda County classified service, which included instrumentation resources duties and responsibilities. (Non-classified includes District Attorney's Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)


Or II

Education:

The equivalent of completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience performing skilled work in both mechanical and electromechanical repairs, or electronic circuitry and instrumentation repair, at least two years of this time having involved work in industrial instrumentation. (Possession of a valid 2-Year Program in Instrumentation & Industrial Automation Technology from Perry Technical Institute or equivalent may be substituted for two years of experience).

License:

Must possess a California Driver's License.

Certificates:

Possession of an Instrumentation Systems and Automation Society of America (ISA) Control Systems Technician Level II Certificate (CCSTII) is desirable.

Other Requirements:

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. Positions in this class are required to be clean shaven on a scheduled basis as required to wear respiratory protection or other safety equipment to comply with OSHA, Cal/OSHA rules and regulations.

NOTE: The Civil Service commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Electrical and electronic circuits.
• Industrial Instrumentation methods, practices, and tools used in maintaining, repairing, testing and adjusting electromechanical recording and metering instruments.
• Mechanical linkage and radio telemetry systems.
• Safety practices.
• Laws, rules and regulations governing maintenance and operation of radio, telemetry and telephone equipment.
• Electronic schematic diagrams, blueprints and piping (or process) and instrument diagrams (P&ID).
• PLC and SCADA hardware and software


Ability to:

• Effectively communicate orally.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and electronic process control difficulties in instrumentation and telemetering systems.
• Read and interpret ladder logic and wiring diagrams and mechanical drawings.
• Make extensive repairs and overhauls to metering and control instruments.
• Make estimates of labor and materials.
• Maintain clear and accurate records.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Typed: 2/97
RE:lm
Old document: 1348h.doc
New document: Jobspecs/4994
ys/4/01
CSC Date: 3/19/97
MH:cs 12/09
CSC Date: 2/24/10

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.