WATER PLANT AUTOMATION TECHNICIAN

Recruitment #1906-0874NR-001

Introduction

What Milwaukee can offer YOU  

Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is an urban hub bursting with energy. Milwaukee provides a casual sophistication – big city appeal without the big-city hassles. We are accessible and affordable, and our residents are welcoming. Milwaukee has evolved through the years, bringing together its unsurpassed old world charm with a breathtaking Art Museum, top-flight arts and cultural attractions, professional sports, lakefront festivals, recreational opportunities and great restaurants.

Purpose

The Water Plant Automation Technician will install, repair, service and calibrate process control equipment and instrumentation in the Linnwood and Howard Purification Plants, the North Point, Riverside, Howard, and Texas Pumping Stations and 11 booster stations and elevated and ground storage tanks, metering pits and any other locations where the Milwaukee Water Works (MWW) has instrumentation. This position within the MWW treatment plants and pumping stations works first shift.

Essential Functions

  • Perform and document maintenance calibrations, installation, fault diagnosis and repair of electronic, electrical, mechanical and pneumatic instruments and systems, such as pressure, level and flow transmitters, pH, conductivity, RTDs (resistance temperature detectors), PID (proportional-integral-derivative) controllers, process analytical equipment and security devices.
  • Configure and perform fault diagnosis on instruments using pneumatic, 4-20mA, HART (highway addressable remote transducer), MODBUS RTU (remote terminal unit), MODBUS TCP (transmission control protocol), Ethernet I/P or wireless signals for data transmission.
  • Test the accuracy of flowmeters, pressure gauges, temperature indicators, controllers and other recording, indicating or controlling instruments to locate defective components in the system, using a variety of test equipment, such as pressure gauges, pulse and signal generators, digital multi-meters and a laptop.
  • Work with the Water Plant Controls Engineer on projects related to the MWW automated systems.
  • Assist with the installation of new instruments and the building of automated systems.
  • Use computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) for maintaining records of preventative and demand maintenance requests.
  • Maintain detailed equipment repair logs and documentation.
  • Maintain, troubleshoot and repair plant security cameras and security systems.   

Reasonable accommodations requested by qualified individuals with disabilities will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008.

Conditions of Employment

  • Must be able to respond to after-hours emergencies to maintain operating systems throughout the treatment plants and pumping stations.
  • Ability to see colors in order to use color-coded wiring systems (cannot be color-blind).
  • Ability to work in confined underground spaces. Must be able to perform physical activities in the work environment that require agility, including ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps or poles; walking and standing, crawling, crouching, stooping, kneeling, reaching, balancing, pushing and pulling.  
  • Must be able to perform physical work, lifting and moving objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
  • Must be able to work inside a water plant and pumping environments that include occasional areas of high noise levels and in close proximity to hazardous chemicals.
  • Must be able to wear appropriate safety equipment including safety shoes, glasses, and hearing protection.
  • Water plant section employees are considered “essential” and must report to work no matter the weather conditions or emergency event.
  • Must be able to work occasionally in adverse weather conditions for extended periods of time.

Minimum Requirements

1.  Associate’s Degree in electronics technology or a related field from an accredited college PLUS one year of full-time experience in the electronics technology field diagnosing and repairing process control equipment and instruments.  

     OR  

Three years of full-time experience in the electronics technology field diagnosing and repairing process control equipment and instruments.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.  

IMPORTANT NOTE: To receive credit for college, transcripts are required and must be received by the application period closing date. College transcripts should be attached to your online application. Applications without transcripts attached will be considered incomplete and will be rejected.  Your transcript must be legible and include the following information:  the university or college name, your name, the degree completed (if applicable) and the date the degree was completed.  Student copies are acceptable.

2.  Valid driver’s license at time of appointment and throughout employment.

Knowledges, Skills, Abilities & Other Characteristics

  • Knowledge of electrical concepts, including control wiring, programming and operation of control panels, transducers and machines.
  • Knowledge of mechanical concepts, including fastening, piping, pressure and flow.
  • Knowledge of Rockwell Automation’s Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Programmable Automation Controllers (PAC).
  • Verbal communication skills to effectively communicate with other staff members.
  • Ability to utilize test equipment, including pressure gauges, pulse and signal generators and digital multi-meters.
  • Ability to perform maintenance calibrations, installation, fault diagnosis and repair of electronic, electrical, mechanical and pneumatic instruments and systems.
  • Ability to employ problem-solving skills to complex electrical or electronic issues.
  • Ability to be tactful and courteous and to work as part of a team to achieve a common goal.
  • Ability to troubleshoot electrical and electronic failures using electrical or electronic test equipment.
  • Ability to utilize computer software, including Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook.
  • Ability to follow detailed instructions and pay attention to detail.
  • Ability to take initiative and apply creative approaches to solving problems.
  • Ability to read and understand technical manuals when setting up and installing new equipment and instruments.
  • Ability to use hand tools and other mechanical equipment common to the profession. 
  • Must have good communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to remain calm in stressful situations, including when responding to system problems.

Current Salary

THE CURRENT STARTING SALARY (PG 3MN) is $48,173 annually. The resident wage incentive rate for City of Milwaukee residents is $49,618 annually. Appointment up to $62,854 is possible based upon credentials and with DER approval. Appointments will be made in accordance with the salary ordinance.

BENEFITS
The City of Milwaukee provides a comprehensive benefit program which includes:

  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan
  • 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • Comprehensive Wellness Program
  • Onsite Clinic Services 
  • Onsite Employee Assistance Program
  • Alternative Work Schedules
  • Long Term Disability Insurance
  • Group Life Insurance
  • Tuition Benefits
  • Paid Vacation
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Paid Sick Leave and other paid leaves
  • Flexible Spending Arrangement
  • Commuter Value Pass  

For full details of the benefits offered by the City of Milwaukee, please visit http://city.milwaukee.gov/Benefits2019.

Selection Process

THE SELECTION PROCESS will be job related and will consist of one or more of the following: education and experience evaluation; written, oral, or performance tests, or other assessment methods. The Department of Employee Relations reserves the right to call only the most qualified candidates to oral and performance examinations. Oral examinations may include written exercises. Selection process component weights will be determined by further analysis of the job.    

INITIAL FILING DATE - The examination will be held as soon as practical after the application deadline listed above. Receipt of applications may be discontinued at any time after this date without prior notice.  However, recruitment may continue until the needs of the City have been met. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the examination. Unless otherwise required by law, the City of Milwaukee will not provide alternative test administration. The applicant is responsible for attending all phases of the job selection process at the time and place designated by the City of Milwaukee.

Additional Information

  • APPLICATIONS and further information may be accessed by visiting www.jobaps.com/MIL.
  • Applications and transcripts should be submitted no later than the deadline listed above.
  • If you would like assistance completing an application, please contact the Department of Employee Relations at (414) 286-3751 or staffinginfo@milwaukee.gov.
  • The Department of Employee Relations is located in City Hall, 200 E Wells St, Room 706, Milwaukee, WI 53202.  

Conclusion

The City of Milwaukee values and encourages diversity and is an equal opportunity employer.