AUTOMATION TECHNICIAN

Job Details: Job Location: Water Reclamation - Cocoa Beach, FL, Salary Range: Undisclosed, GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

This is a non-exempt, full-time position starting at a pay rate of $22.47 per hour. This includes a generous benefits package offering health, dental, vision, and life insurance, 11 paid holidays, paid time off, pension and more.

Under general supervision, performs skilled technical work involving the installation, configuration, programming, operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and support of industrial automation and computerized control systems used throughout the Water Reclamation Department.  Work includes supporting programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems, human-machine interface (HMI) applications, industrial communication networks, instrumentation interfaces, servers, databases, and associated computer hardware and software. The employee assists department personnel with system operation, troubleshooting, program configuration, data analysis, historical trending, reporting, and resolution of automation-related issues.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Installs, configures, programs, maintains, troubleshoots, and supports programmable logic controllers (PLCs), SCADA systems, HMI applications, and associated industrial automation equipment.

Develops, modifies, tests, and documents PLC and HMI programs and performs troubleshooting of control logic, digital and analog input/output, instrumentation interfaces, communication systems, and associated electrical and electronic equipment.

Maintains and supports department automation platforms and software applications, including PLC and SCADA systems, Control Expert, AVEVA/Wonderware, Vijeo Designer, SoMove, Machine Expert, and other current or future department-approved automation software.

Troubleshoots system alarms, equipment stoppages, communication failures, and user-reported problems to determine whether issues are related to equipment, instrumentation, electrical components, programming, software, hardware, communications, or operator operation.

Supports and maintains automation-related computer systems, including servers, databases, operator workstations, user access, network connectivity, and associated cybersecurity practices within the scope of assigned responsibilities.

Configures, troubleshoots, and maintains industrial communication systems and networks, including Modbus Serial, Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, industrial Ethernet networks, communication gateways, switches, radio systems, and other data communication equipment.

Maintains and updates automation system documentation, including PLC and HMI programs, source code, network diagrams, system configurations, control narratives, equipment information, software records, and backup files.

Performs and verifies backups of PLC programs, SCADA applications, HMI configurations, databases, and other critical automation system data and coordinates significant hardware, software, network, and system changes with appropriate information technology personnel.

Assists with automation, electrical, operational, and technology-related projects, including equipment upgrades, system replacements, plant modifications, new installations, system testing, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting.

Provides technical support and instruction to department personnel; prepares reports, correspondence, presentations, charts, graphs, spreadsheets, and historical process trending information; and maintains records related to automation systems and equipment.

ADDITIONAL JOB FUNTIONS

Troubleshoots, starts up, replaces, and performs basic configuration of variable frequency drives (VFDs), motor control equipment, and associated automation components.

Configures and troubleshoots licensed two-way radio and radio modem communication systems used for remote monitoring and control.

Uses digital multimeters, electrical testing equipment, hand tools, and other diagnostic equipment and reads and interprets electrical schematics, control drawings, wiring diagrams, process diagrams, equipment manuals, and technical specifications.

Assists with the maintenance and troubleshooting of remote monitoring and control systems serving treatment facilities, lift stations, pump stations, collection systems, and reclaimed water facilities.

Assists with emergency response activities involving failures or malfunctions of automation, SCADA, PLC, communication, or computerized control systems and may be required to work outside normal business hours.

Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications: MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Associate degree from an accredited college or technical institution in industrial automation, electrical/electronic technology, computer technology, information systems, instrumentation and controls, or a closely related field.

A minimum of two (2) years of experience involving the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, programming, or support of PLC, SCADA, HMI, industrial control, or related automation systems.

Experience with PLC and SCADA programming is required.

An equivalent combination of education, technical training, certifications, and directly related experience may be considered.

Experience in a water, wastewater, utility, industrial, manufacturing, or other process-control environment is preferred.

Must possess and maintain a valid State of Florida driver’s license.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED

TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Physical Requirements:  Must be able to physically able to operate a variety of computers and their peripheral equipment; hand tools, such as screwdrivers and pliers; and common office machines such as typewriters, copiers, etc.  Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.  Physical demand requirements are those for Medium Work.