Automation Specialist Jobs

Description

This is a technical position responsible for the maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and servicing of mechanical and electrical equipment used in lift stations and water/wastewater treatment facilities. Equipment includes valves, controllers, metering and instrumentation systems, PLC-driven equipment, and related automated control systems.

The position requires the ability to diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and automation-related issues to ensure reliable and efficient operation of facility equipment and processes.

Examples of Duties

1. SCADA & PLC programming: Install, test, modify, and troubleshoot SCADA systems and PLC logic.

2. Industrial electrical/electronics: Work with control panels, electronic hardware, motors, pumps, flow meters, and instrumentation.

3. Troubleshooting: Diagnose electrical, mechanical, controls, communications, and network problems.

4. Programming/testing: Make software and logic changes and verify that equipment operates correctly.

5. Water/wastewater equipment: Maintain and repair lift stations, pumps, motors, meters, sampling equipment, and related systems.

6. Vendor coordination: Communicate with equipment manufacturers, contractors, and technical support personnel.

7. Preventive/corrective maintenance: Perform scheduled maintenance as well as emergency repairs.

8. On-call work: Be available for after-hours emergencies and rotating call-outs.

9. Administrative responsibility: Help develop the annual budget and monitor spending.

10. Field work: Drive company vehicles and maintain/clean them as required.2. Works on the “Lucity” work order maintenance program which is used to track all work done on the system.

Minimum Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Minimum Qualifications

1. Education: High school diploma or GED required. Vocational or technical training in electrical, mechanical, industrial automation, instrumentation, controls, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.

2. Maintenance Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of hands-on experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing electrical and mechanical equipment, preferably in lift stations, water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, effluent disposal sites, or comparable industrial facilities.

3. Water/Wastewater Equipment: A minimum of two (2) years of experience working with equipment commonly found in lift stations, water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, or similar facilities.

4. PLC Troubleshooting: Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and interpreting PLC ladder logic, including identifying control system faults and assisting with corrective actions.

5. Electrical Troubleshooting: Experience troubleshooting electrical control circuits using ladder diagrams, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and related technical documentation.

6. SCADA and Automation: A minimum of two (2) years of experience with the implementation, troubleshooting, testing, and maintenance of SCADA and industrial automation systems.

7. Testing and Diagnostic Equipment: Working knowledge of electrical and electronic meters, diagnostic equipment, and testing instruments used to troubleshoot, test, and maintain electrical and control systems.

8. Computer Skills: Ability to use computers and relevant software applications for maintenance management, equipment monitoring, SCADA/automation systems, recordkeeping, documentation, and facility operations.

9. Technical Knowledge: Knowledge of electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, control, and automation systems and their application in water and wastewater treatment operations.

• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Must possess a CDL Learners Permit before hiring date
• Within six (6) months obtain a Florida CDL Driver's License Class “B” with an acceptable driving record and required endorsement for tank vehicles (N).

• Ability to obtain a Class “B” Wastewater Collection Certification and a Distribution 2 (D-2) License, Backflow Testing and Repair License in accordance with department scheduling requirements.

• Must reside within 45 minutes of City Hall (110 SE Watula Avenue) using Map Quest.

Supplemental Information

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position will directly supervise 0 employees. This position may indirectly supervise 1 employees. If applicable, supervisory responsibilities include interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

ANALYTICAL ABILITY / PROBLEM SOLVING MODERATELY DIRECTED.
Activities covered by wide-ranging policies and courses of action and generally directed as to execution and review.

PLANNING
With regard to general assignments in planning time, method, manner and/or sequence of performance of own work. CONSIDERABLE RESPONSIBILITY; in addition, the organization and delegation of work operations for a Group of employees engaged in Widely diversified activities.

DECISION MAKING
Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision-making of minor importance. FREQUENTLY; Performs work operations which permit opportunity for decision-making of major importance. FREQUENTLY;

COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and policy/procedure manuals; Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane, algebra, solid geometry and trigonometry.

CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS
Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal, logical or scientific symbolism such as formulas, scientific equations, and graphs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under general direction, WORKING FROM POLICIES AND GENERAL DIRECTIVES. RARELY REFERS SPECIFIC CASES TO supervisor unless clarification or interpretation of the organization’s policy is required.

MENTAL DEMAND
HIGHLY INTENSE; Continual involvement with strategic and operational management functions which relate to both the short-term and long-term time periods.

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTER
Computer senior software programming, debug problem detection, database analyst II, network development, and senior project manager.

ACCURACY
Probably errors would normally not be detected in succeeding operations and would definitely have serious effects in relationships with patrons and/or with the operations of other segments of the organization.

PUBLIC CONTACT
Regular contacts with patrons initiated by the employee. Involves furnishing and obtaining information and, attempting to influence the decisions of those contacted. Failure to exercise proper judgment may result in important losses to the organization.

EMPLOYEE CONTACT
Contacts of considerable importance within the department or office. Requires tact in discussing problems and presenting data and making recommendations.

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED
10-Key Basic
Accounting Basic
Alphanumeric Data Entry Intermediate
Contact Management Basic
Database Advanced
Enterprise Resource Planning Basic
Human Resources Systems Basic
Payroll Systems Basic
Presentation/PowerPoint None
Programming Languages Advanced
Spreadsheet Basic
Word Processing/Typing Basic

OTHER SKILLS
1. Ability to read blueprints and schematic wiring diagrams.
2. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both in person and by telephone or two-way radio.
3. Knowledge of radio coaxial cable and termination connectors.
4. Knowledge of the operation, maintenance, adaptability, limitations, and safety precautions associated with assigned equipment.
5. Must possess the physical strength and agility to operate heavy equipment over rough terrain, occasionally under adverse weather conditions.
6. Ability to follow established shop procedures.
7. Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
8. Ability to maintain detailed technical records and reports.
9. Ability to remain calm and composed in stressful situations.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES
While performing the functions of this job, the employee may be required to:
Stand Continuously
Walk Continuously
Sit Continuously
Use hands to handle or feel Continuously
Reach with hands and arms Continuously
Climb or balance Continuously
Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl Continuously
Talk or hear Continuously
Taste or smell Continuously

WEIGHT LIFT REQUIREMENTS
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move: Up to 100 pounds

VISION REQUIREMENT
Specific vision abilities required by this job may include: Ability to adjust focus (work duties that require the ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus at various distances or focal lengths).

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work near moving mechanical parts (spinning shafts, engines, lifts, etc.) Frequently
Work in high, precarious places (tall structures, bucket lifts, extension ladders, etc.) Occasionally
Fumes or airborne particles (painting, sanding, solvents, flying lint or dust particles, etc.) Frequently
Toxic or caustic chemicals (including potential for chemical spills, etc.) Occasionally
Outdoor weather conditions (exposure to outdoor heat, cold or inclement weather) Frequently
Wet or humid conditions (not weather-related, such as greenhouse, carwash, etc.) Frequently
Extreme cold (not weather-related, such as freezer, cold storage, etc.) Occasionally
Extreme heat not weather-related, such as furnace, kitchen, ovens, etc. where temp is regularly above 100 degrees F) Never
Risk of electrical shock (live electrical wires, equipment that retains power after shutoff) Continuously
Work with explosives (TNT, dynamite, nitroglycerine or other related explosives) Occasionally
Risk of radiation (x-ray equipment, nuclear radiation, electromagnetic radiation, etc.) Never
Vibration (jack hammer, soil compactor, equipment that creates high vibration, etc.) Occasionally
The noise level in the work environment is usually Loud (metal can manufacturing department, large equipment, etc.)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).