Introduction
THIS IS A NEW ASSEMBLED EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year but can be extended.
Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.
Applications and supplemental questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing.
Applications and Supplemental Questionnaire will only be accepted online.
DESCRIPTION
THE AGENCY
Zone 7 Water Agency supplies treated drinking water to retailers serving approximately 260,000 residents and businesses in Pleasanton, Livermore, Dublin and, through special agreement with the Dublin San Ramon Services District, the Dougherty Valley area of San Ramon. Zone 7 also supplies untreated irrigation water (mostly to vineyards) and provides flood protection to eastern Alameda County.
For more information regarding the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7, please visit their website at
http://www.zone7water.com.
THE POSITION
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.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The ideal candidate has experience with a proven track record of success that demonstrates knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:
- Several years of recent industrial instrumentation experience in a water/wastewater facility or other industry which includes flow, pressure, level, temperature and analytical instruments.
- Recent experience with the use of SCADA and PLC hardware and programming software for troubleshooting system processes.
- Ability to diagnose mechanical, electrical and electronic process control difficulties in instrument and telemetering systems and utilize drawings and control schematics for troubleshooting and repairs.
- Experience with preventive maintenance, modification, calibration, programming, repairs and installation of all field instrument loop and control systems to enhance equipment reliability to meet water treatment regulations.
- Ability to provide technical support for repair and troubleshooting of network communications.
- Good interpersonal skills, mathematical aptitude, logical problem solving, and recordkeeping ability.
- Ability to work in a safe manner, indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Flexibility to work nights and weekends when necessary.
- Experience working at a water/wastewater treatment or similar facility with a computerized maintenance/asset management system is desirable.
- Completion of coursework in an apprenticeship program or trade school in instrumentation, electronics, electrical or computer field is desirable.
- Possession of an Instrumentation Systems and Automation Society of America (ISA) Control Systems Technician Level II Certificate (CCSTII) or California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Electrical/Instrumentation Technician Grade II certification is desirable.
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
The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:
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.
EXAMINATION COMPONENTS
THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
- A review of the candidates’ application to verify possession of minimum requirements. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
- A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified. Those candidates considered the best qualified will move on to the final step in the examination process.
- An oral interview which will be weighted as 100% of the candidates’ final examination score. The oral interview may contain situational exercises.
Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of this recruitment.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.
Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments may be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.
For more information on the Civil Service Selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.
Selection Plan
Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN
| Deadline for Filing: |
5:00:00 p.m., Monday, October 9, 2023 |
| Review of Applications for Minimum Qualifications: |
by week of October 16, 2023 |
| Review of Questionnaire for Best Qualified: |
by week of October 30, 2023 |
| Oral Examination*: |
Week of November 16, 2023 |
| Departmental Hiring Interview: |
Early-Mid December 2023 |
*The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN
Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County’s Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing. Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.
For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website: www.acgov.org/hrs.
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 employees 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
- Group Auto/Home Insurance
- 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
- 1st 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.
Conclusion
All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, acgov.org, Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org and Noreply@jobaps.com as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.
Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a county recruitment.
NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box Noreply@jobaps.com and Noreplyalamedacountyhr@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions, please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.
Erika Beams, Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services Division, County of Alameda
Analyst Email Address Link: ERIKA.BEAMS@ACGOV.ORG | Phone: 510-272-6393
www.acgov.org/hrs
DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.
