Electrical Instrument & Control Technician - I

Introduction



Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

POSITION INFORMATION

Placer County is currently accepting applications for Electrical Instrument & Control Technician - I, Electrical Instrument & Control Technician - II, and Electrical Instrument & Control Technician - Supervising. Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications. To participate in the recruitment at the I level, II level, or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment:

• Electrical Instrument & Control Technician - I #2025-11818-01
• Electrical Instrument & Control Technician - II #2025-11819-01

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To perform work in the repair, installation, maintenance, calibration, testing, and modification of digital electrical systems, automated instrument control mechanisms, and measuring devices that are used to power, control, and operate water distribution, wastewater collections, treatment ponds, and related infrastructure.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry level class in the Electrical Instrument and Control Technician series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Employees may have only limited work experience at an equivalent to the Placer County classification of Utility Services Worker and will work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Classes in the Electrical Instrument and Control Technician series are distinguished from those in the Utility Services Worker series in that the former is required to obtain a higher level of technical, mechanical, and electrical training and experience in order to independently perform the full scope of job duties related to servicing the County’s lift stations which include variable frequency drives per state and local requirements. In contrast, the Utility Service Worker series performs more general maintenance of wastewater, water treatment, and related facilities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate supervision from an assigned supervisor and may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Electrical Instrument and Control Technician.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Install, maintain, configure, calibrate, inspect, test, modify, and repair instrument control, recordings, metering, and alarm telemetry systems used in water distribution, wastewater collections, and treatment ponds.
• Install, diagnose, troubleshoot, and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on electrical switch gear, relays, process controls, alarm systems, transmitters, gauges, sensors, isolators, analyzers, flowmeters, transducers, uninterruptible power supplies, lighting, motors, starters, pumps, circuit breakers, power meters, switches, control wiring, protective relays, cameras, and related electrical and electronic devices.
• Clean, lubricate, and inspect electrical equipment and other instrumentation and control equipment; install wiring in conduit for new projects.
• Maintain water distribution, wastewater collection, and treatment pond equipment, such as motor controls and automatic switch gear, and sewage pumps; install and maintain variable frequency drives, starters, and related automatic control equipment such as high voltage circuit breakers, control wires, and protective relays.
• Test lift station emergency generators at various sites; clean, lubricate, and inspect electrical equipment related to generators.
• Install, configure, and maintain control of video and communications equipment.
• Install and service electrical voltage recording devices; locate underground electrical conductors to prevent damage; inspect and repair new and damaged buried cables.
• Inspect, maintain, rebuild, and repair pumps and electric motors, controls, and alarms.
• Operate light and moderately heavy equipment such as dump trucks, boom trucks, and backhoes; transport equipment and supplies to work sites; and load and unload equipment and supplies.
• When assigned to wastewater treatment plant or sewer pump station, maintain, and repair all mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems; install and repair all piping and valves; interpret manuals, schematics, diagrams, and drawings; and provide technical supervision to maintenance and technical personnel regarding equipment and facility maintenance within the plant or pump station.
• Test lift station emergency generators at various sites; clean, lubricate, and inspect engine and electrical equipment related to generators.
• May perform minor repair/pipe work, as needed.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is primarily performed outside with varying environments, including traveling and working in inclement weather. Duties are performed in close proximity to a variety of hazardous environments including wastewater, sewage, gases, and high voltages.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training:

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:

One (1) year of experience performing multi-skilled work related to troubleshooting and repairing mechanical and electrical/electronic equipment, or one (1) year experience in the water/wastewater field in collection/distribution system maintenance or treatment operation and maintenance.

Training:

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by college or equivalent course work in electronics, instrumentation, control systems, or related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid Class A or B driver's license with air brake and tanker endorsements within twelve months of employment. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Possession of certificate of training in use of self-contained breathing apparatus, to be obtained within three months of employment.
• California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Grade 1 Electrical & Instrumentation Technologist Certification or equivalent.
• California Water Environment Association (CWEA) Grade 1 Collection System Maintenance Certification or equivalent, to be obtained within twelve months of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Basic control systems theory and its practical application to process control infield instrumentation.
• Basic principles and practices of inspecting, troubleshooting, calibrating, and repairing of electrical, electronic, mechanical, and electromechanical components and instrumentation.
• Basic electrical theory principles.
• Applicable codes, regulations, standards, and procedures governing electrical and electronic industry.
• Principles and practices of work safety.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand operations, observe safety rules and identify safety hazards. Intermittently analyze problem equipment and systems; identify and locate equipment and tools; interpret work orders; remember equipment and tool location; explain systems and equipment issues to others; remember street/road names and general geographic areas.
• Intermittently sit while driving or completing forms or reports; walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel, twist, and reach when inspecting or repairing wastewater or sewer systems, use various tools and equipment; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; distinguish colors used in coding electrical wires; hear and interpret sounds coming from pump and motor operation and alarms; and regularly lift very heavy weight.
• Obtain information through interviews and dialogue; deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Safely and effectively perform duties and operate equipment in regular traffic areas.
• Work unusual and prolonged work schedules; work multiple shifts during emergencies, seasonally caused circumstances, or special projects.
• Use hand tools.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:

General

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled

• 

• Placer County

Show more