Control Systems Technician

Posting Type: Open Competitive

Work Type: Full Time

Nature of Work: This is skilled technical work in the integration, programming, and maintenance of the computerized control systems used in the operation of the City‘s wastewater treatment plants, lift stations, flood control, and other flow control and treatment facilities of the Public Works department. Work involves maintenance and monitoring of the calibration, installation, modification, and automation of control systems and electrical equipment including: Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA); Programmable Logic Controller (PLC); Variable Frequency Drives (VFD); motor control; radio/fiberoptic and network communication; video surveillance; access control; chemical analyzers/probes; and related equipment and devices used in the treatment, storage, pumping, distribution, reclamation, and renewable resource recovery of wastewater. An employee in this classification works with considerable independence, receiving direction and general guidance from a superior.

Education and Experience: The knowledge, skills, and abilities may be acquired through, but are not limited to, the following combination of education and/or experience. Associate‘s Degree in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, industrial Automation and Controls, or a related field.ANDOne (1) year of experience in a related area such as installation and maintenance of process control system instrumentation and controls, or related field.ORAny equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications: Must possess a valid motor vehicle operator‘s license. Must be available to respond to emergency situations as necessary, including those occurring after normal working hours.

Pay Range: $60,112.00 with step increases to $85,363.20 Annually

Benefits: Forty-hour work week. Paid leave per year: twelve days vacation; five days management; fifteen days sick; and fourteen holidays. Employee‘s group health insurance, including major medical, vision, and dental, for individual or family. Defined benefit pension plan, plus Social Security, and more. See hr.cityofomaha.org for detailed information.

Who Can Apply: Any person who meets the qualifications and other requirements described in this posting.

How to Apply: Completed City of Omaha employment applications must be submitted using the online application from the City website. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to check and ensure that any and all required application materials and supplemental forms are received by the City of Omaha Human Resources Department by the stated deadline. You may confirm receipt of any materials and forms by contacting the Human Resources Department. If the materials are not received in the Human Resources Department by the stated deadline, they will not be considered. There will be no exceptions to this rule. If you do not meet the requirements at the time of this posting, once you do meet the requirements you may apply when it is posted again.

Examination Information:

The examination will consist of a training and experience form designed to assess job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities of the position. The training and experience form will be given to candidates once their application has been received, reviewed by a recruiter, and accepted to test for the position. The form must be completed and returned to the Human Resources Department by December 16, 2024 (passing score XX%). Final eligibility list will be the training and experience form weighted 100%.

Veteran Points: To claim five (5) points for veteran‘s preference, you must submit proof of service (such as a DD-214) that includes the date of induction, date of honorable separation, and Social Security number. (You must have completed more than 180 consecutive days of active duty.) To receive an additional five (5) points credit for disability, you must submit proof of eligibility from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs dated within the last 12 months. This information must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by December 16, 2024.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

* Knowledge of, and ability to operate, computers and other technology using standard or customized computer or systems software applications appropriate to the assigned tasks.
* Knowledge of the methods and techniques involved in preventive maintenance of the database of a control computer.
* Knowledge of electronics as related to process control systems, sensors, and pneumatic and associated transmission systems, including an understanding of electrical safety practices and regulations.
* Knowledge of control system instrumentation operation and maintenance.
* Knowledge of ladder logic programming as it pertains to programmable logic controllers.
* Knowledge of electronic shop procedures, practices, and mathematics.
* Knowledge of transmission, switching, control, and operation of a communications/networking system.
* Knowledge of the practices, theories, methods, techniques, tools, and equipment used in SCADA systems.
* Knowledge of software, distributed control systems, computer hardware architecture, man-machine interfaces, radio, and hardwired data networks and support systems.
* Knowledge of the principles, methods, and techniques of the control system strategy development, creation of formulas, and debugging.
* Skill in reading and interpreting technical manuals, drawings, and instructions.
* Skill in performing quantitative analysis and exercising analytical, technical, and critical thinking.
* Skill in developing, reading, and interpreting electrical plans and schematics.
* Skill in collecting, analyzing, and compiling data and preparing technical reports.
* Ability to learn and adapt to advances in computer and electronics device technology and software.
* Ability to apply problem solving techniques to locate, analyze, and solve complex computer equipment or software malfunctions.
* Ability to learn wastewater treatment principles and practices.
* Ability to understand written or oral instructions.
* Ability to adhere to safety policies, procedures, and guidelines.
* Ability to maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, contractors, members of other agencies and the general public.
* Ability to effectively communicate with individuals of varying trades, skills, educational levels, and cultural backgrounds.
* Ability to stand, walk, or sit from 51 to 75% of the time; to reach, push, or pull from 26 to 50% of the time; and to climb, balance, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crouch, crawl, lift, or type from 0 to 25% of the time.
* Ability to use up to twenty (20) pounds of force to move objects up to 33% of the time, to use up to ten (10) pounds of force to move objects from 34 to 66% of the time, and to use lesser amounts of force to move objects from 67 to 100% of the time.

Essential Functions: Any one position may not perform all of the duties listed, nor do the listed examples include all of the duties that may be performed in positions allocated to this class.

* Maintains the database of the process control system by supporting the real-time connection from the SCADA system to the historian database.
* Maintains the data collection system, periodically checking and calibrating, or monitoring the calibration of, all relevant sensors to ensure accuracy of data transmissions.
* Explains procedures and provides technical information, support, and oversight to plant personnel calibrating and maintaining field level instrumentation.
* Informs shift supervisors when problems in plant operations occur.
* Maintains process control loops and instrumentation feedback systems, checking sensors and circuits when possible, and contracting for maintenance when necessary.
* Inspects electronic control systems and pneumatic systems for potential malfunctions.
* Identifies and locates maintenance problems, oversees and reviews maintenance and repair work performed by the vendor, and recommends approval or rejection of the work.
* Oversees the installation of new process control equipment, including communicating with outside sales and vendors to provide quotes, solutions, training, repair, or replacement on all equipment.
* Plans, assigns, reviews, inspects, and leads the work of contractors as well as City employees and crews.
* Reports on the status of plant equipment and makes recommendations for preventive maintenance measures.
* Participates in long-term and short-term planning, developing, and implementing projects and recommending improvements as necessary.
* Maintains a computerized inventory system of parts and equipment and orders equipment required to maintain utility control systems.
* Programs, maintains, and updates the Utility‘s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, including servers, clients, networks, workstations, remote sites, and a real time database and the SCADA elements of the WRRF Master Plan.
* Assists management in establishing clear direction and goals for the system, including recommending upgrades, setting standards for the design, security, and reliability of its facets, and reviewing new components for applicability and compatibility.
* Performs journey-level installation, inspection, maintenance, and systems analysis on electronic systems within the wastewater treatment plant.
* Installs, modifies, calibrates, repairs, and maintains a variety of electronics, data radios, antennas, instrumentation, components, and devices associated with the operation of a large, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment and resource recovery facility.
* Programs, configures, and monitors the performance of the City of Omaha‘s Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) at remote sites utilized to monitor and control well/pump station functions.
* Develops and maintains Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) applications and programs using software associated with SCADA, site process, and real time data collection.
* Ensures SCADA systems and Plant Networks are safe from cyber-attacks through ongoing security monitoring, and works in close coordination with IT provider regarding any potential or active security network issues, including installing necessary updates.
* Maintains and services process control hardware and SCADA equipment to manufacturer‘s specifications, including but not limited to: motor controls, PLCs, RTUs, power supplies, computers, servers, network switches, VFDs, I/O devices and HMIs using operational performance standards, manufacturer specific, and specialized testing equipment.
* Oversees and participates in the installation and configuration of SCADA network hardware and software, including: fiber optic lines, data radios, modems, network switches, routers, firewalls and other associated communications equipment to ensure reliability and security of SCADA communications.
* Services and maintains plant and levee security and access control systems, including configuring and providing support for card access system software and control panels, maintaining door/hatch security hardware (e.g., magnetic switches, electronic locking mechanisms, and card readers) at all of the wastewater treatment facilities, and tracking and issuing photo ID/access cards for plant personnel staff and contractors.
* Installs, services, and maintains video surveillance systems at main plant areas, offices, and remote sites, and provides incident reports and downloads video footage when required.
* Develops and runs various reports as needed.
* Isolates and resolves electronic equipment and system failures in the field and in the office.
* Performs bench repairs of electronic systems at the component level in a shop setting.
* Troubleshoots, aligns, and calibrates equipment including chlorinators, scales, switchgears, pump protection systems, motors, pressure transmitters/ transducers, metering equipment, level sensors, flow meters, and related equipment.
* Maintains disinfection control systems through calibration of chlorine gas leak detection equipment, bisulfite and chlorine concentration analyzers, spectrophotometers, pH meters, ORP Probes, and related equipment for use in analysis of water samples and real-time chemical dosage control.
* Compiles and maintains records documenting schematics, installed equipment, installation or
* operational problems, resources used, repairs made, and corrective actions performed, and keeps up-to-date maintenance manuals and documentation to reflect changes and additions to system.
* Reviews plans and specifications for equipment and devices to ensure compliance with applicable codes and standards.
* Schedules and coordinates activities with other staff, sections, departments, or agencies to ensure the timely and accurate completion of preventive maintenance activities.
* Researches, evaluates, and recommends new or replacement equipment while assisting in the development and implementation of system enhancements.
* Assists City engineering staff and contractors by reviewing control panel diagrams, loop descriptions, Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawings, and design documents, updating reports for the treatment of wastewater, and performing final inspections to ensure work meets the set standards and specifications.
* Maintains regular job attendance in accordance with a schedule established for the position by the supervisor.
* Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation dictates within the scope of this classification.

Conditions of Employment: Candidates must provide proof of U.S. citizenship or proof of permanent residence or authorization to work. The City of Omaha reserves the right to conduct criminal history, driving record, reference and credit checks and a background investigation on applicants for employment. Successfully passing a criminal background review, reference check, and if applicable, a credit check, is required as a condition of employment. If applicable, the City will require that you successfully pass a review of the driver‘s license, driving abstract, a pre-employment drug test, a hearing test and a back screening examination as a condition of employment. Failure to provide the information requested in the application process in a truthful, accurate and complete manner may result in disqualification, revocation of conditional employment or termination.

Reasonable Accommodation: The City of Omaha does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you need a disability-related accommodation during the job application or selection process, advise the Human Resources Department at least 48 hours prior to the need by emailing .

For a complete description of this job classification, visit hr.cityofomaha.org

Contact Points:

City of Omaha Human Resources Department
1819 Farnam St, Suite 506
Omaha, NE 68183

Phone:
Fax:

Website: hr.cityofomaha.org
Email: