Senior Control Systems Programmer

United Water Conservation District•Oxnard, CA

19d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Operations Officer, and general direction of the Assistant General Manager, the Senior Control Systems Programmer performs advanced programming, configuration, integration, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and optimization of electrical, instrumentation, process control, SCADA, programmable logic controller (PLC), and monitoring systems supporting water management, water treatment, well operations, hydroelectric generation facilities, and distribution systems. Serves as a senior technical resource for complex control system issues and projects; provides technical guidance and support to Control Systems staff, O&M personnel, contractors, and vendors; develops and maintains control system standards and documentation, participates in Capital Improvement Projects to ensure effective startup and commissioning, project planning, emergency response, and implements cybersecurity practices. As senior lead, this position coordinates activities with Engineering, Operations and Maintenance (O&M), Environmental Services, Water Resources, and Technology Systems departments and performs other work-related duties as required.

Requirements

Manual dexterity to write legibly and use electrical, electronic, instrumentation, and test equipment.
Ability to walk on uneven and slippery surfaces.
Ability to travel to different District sites and facilities.
Ability to climb ladders and work from heights more than 8 feet.
Participate in confined space training and related safety activities.
Advanced programming principles applicable to industrial control systems.
Advanced AC and DC theory; analog and digital electronics theory.
Advanced technical mathematics, including trigonometry, calculus, and statistics.
Drafting, electrical schematics, instrumentation diagrams, and mechanical drawing techniques.
Electrical, instrumentation, process control, and industrial automation principles.
Design, implementation, troubleshooting, commissioning, and project management with PLC, SCADA, and related control systems.
Industrial control-system communications, networking concepts, hardware, software, and integration principles necessary to support PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems.
Process instrumentation, calibration, measurement, and control methodologies.
Technical specifications, electrical drawings, service manuals, operating procedures, and repair documentation.
OSHA workplace safety practices.
Work independently and exercise sound judgment in diagnosing and resolving complex technical problems.
Lead or coordinate technical work performed by employees, contractors, and vendors.
Analyze complex control system problems, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
Communicate technical information clearly to technical and non-technical employees, management, contractors, and vendors.
Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and professional working relationships.
Read, interpret, explain, and apply technical drawings, specifications, manuals, procedures, and District rules.
Plan, organize, prioritize, and complete assignments and projects in a timely manner.
Exercise initiative, innovation, and personal responsibility in resolving complex technical issues.
Collaborate with O&M, Technology Systems, Engineering, Water Resources and other appropriate District staff on implementation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and improvements to SCADA and related control systems.
Maintain accurate technical records and documentation and prepare clear, concise reports and presentations as necessary.
Provide effective training, coaching, and technical guidance to others.
Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent is required.
Six years of progressively responsible experience in electrical, electronics, instrumentation, automation, or industrial controls, with substantial experience in water control systems, SCADA, PLC, and related process control systems; and college-level coursework or technical training in a related field.
Valid Class C California Driver’s License during length of employment.

Nice To Haves

College-level coursework, an associate degree, or technical training in electrical, electronics, instrumentation, automation, controls, computer science, or a related field is desirable.
Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in electrical engineering, computer engineering, automation, controls, instrumentation, computer science, or a related field is strongly preferred.
Candidates with a graduate degree in a related field are desirable.
Experience serving as a lead technical resource, coordinating projects, commissioning control systems, or providing technical direction to employees, contractors, or vendors is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Designs, develops, programs, configures, tests, commissions, and maintains SCADA systems, PLCs, HMIs, process controls, and related instrumentation and control equipment.
Serves as the senior technical resource for diagnosing complex control systems, PLC, instrumentation, communications, and process control problems; analyzes root causes and implements corrective actions.
Develops, modifies, tests, documents, and maintains control logic, sequences, alarms, interlocks, setpoints, displays, and control system functionality.
Leads or assists with installation, integration, startup, commissioning, modification, and acceptance testing of new mechanical, electrical, electronic, instrumentation, communication, and control equipment.
Provides technical guidance and support to Control Systems staff, O&M staff, consultants, contractors, and vendors on projects, maintenance, troubleshooting, and specialized assignments.
Develops technical specifications, scopes of work, estimates, schedules, and purchase requests for control system parts, equipment, materials, and specialized services.
Prepares and maintains electrical, instrumentation, control, network, mechanical, and process drawings, schematics, logic documentation, and system records.
Installs, configures, maintains, troubleshoots, calibrates, and updates PLCs, instrumentation, control system software, and related operational technology equipment.
Coordinates with Technology Systems and other District staff for control system computers, servers, network hardware, communications, and supporting other related infrastructure and assets.
Provides technical support during PLC failures, SCADA outages, control system malfunctions, and other technical emergencies impacting District operations.
Installs, calibrates, maintains, tests, and repairs flow, pressure, level, temperature, water quality, and other measuring and monitoring equipment.
Participates in planning, management, and execution of scheduled and unscheduled O&M projects, system upgrades, commissioning, and improvements working in a collaborative manner with other respective departments to ensure collaboration and alignment on responsibilities that impact areas of cross functional responsibilities.
Assists with development and implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance practices for control systems, instrumentation, and related equipment.
Evaluates existing control systems and recommends improvements to reliability, functionality, maintainability, efficiency, operational performance, and cybersecurity protection.
Maintains accurate technical records, program backups, configuration information, maintenance histories, and other documentation necessary for effective system support.
Develops and delivers training to District employees and others on control system operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and standardized procedures.
Adheres to District safety procedures, protocols, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Implements cybersecurity practices.
Performs other related duties as assigned consistent with the responsibilities and scope of the position.