General Description
We are excited to announce that we are accepting applications for an
Automation Specialist! The District Irvine Ranch Water District (IRWD) is a progressive, values-driven agency, with an international reputation for its leading-edge financial management practices, water recycling program, water use efficiency practices, water banking, urban runoff treatment, and energy generation and storage. Established in 1961 as a California Water District under the provisions of the California Water Code, IRWD is an independent special district serving central Orange County. IRWD provides high-quality drinking water, reliable sewage collection and treatment, ground-breaking recycled water programs, and environmentally sound urban runoff treatment to its customers. As an independent, not-for-profit public agency, IRWD is governed by a publicly elected five-member Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the District's policies and decision-making. Day-to-day operations are supervised by the General Manager. Additional information can be found at the District's website: www.IRWD.com.
IRWD Corporate Values Irvine Ranch Water District believes that its values drive the character, culture, and capacity of our organization. IRWD was built on values, and we weave them into the fabric of everything we do. Values are the ingredients in our recipe for both institutional and individual success. They are a code of conduct to promote positive outcomes for others and ourselves. They are more than words on a wall or a website. We live by them every day. We pledge to keep them relevant in an ever-changing world.
IRWD's employees enjoy working in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where they form strong bonds with fellow employees. To ensure effective communication and promote a collaborative team environment, employees report to work each day in the office or in the field, depending on their positions.
The PositionThe Automation Specialist will maintain, modify, install, upgrade and assist in the design of the Districts supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, automation control system, and communication systems for all domestic and recycled water treatment plants, biosolids facilities, sewer collection lift stations, natural treatment systems (NTS), domestic and recycled water pump stations, domestic and reclaimed water production wells, reservoirs and their associated management systems.
Summary of Duties
Design, install, modify, maintain and troubleshoot new and existing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), SCADA System, Human Machine Interface (HMI), Operator Interface Terminal (OIT), Alarm Dialers, Communication devices (radio, routers, switches, cellular modems, Ethernet to serial converters, etc.), industrial internet of things (IIoT), power & protection devices, industrial motor & engine controls, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system and devices within the Automation and Control System
Install, modify, maintain, and troubleshoot servers, operating systems, desktops, thin clients, tablets, and virtual machines.
Maintain and update documentation, files, and spreadsheets as required.
Utilize change management software to ensure critical software and documentation is routinely updated, securely backed up, and available for recovery.
Monitor and respond to Automation system alerts to insure 24 hours per day/7 days per week (24/7) reliability and real-time operating environment.
Assist Cybersecurity Analyst in the implementation of, and adherence to, cybersecurity related measures on the districts SCADA systems to ensure availability, integrity, and confidentiality of data and control system functionality.
Support and collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering departments to troubleshoot Automation control systems and implement enhancements to improve overall system efficiency and reliability.
Provide support to Engineering and System Integrators with PLC and SCADA system validation and testing.
Read and interpret design drawings, P&ID drawings, shop drawings and vendor manuals for process control and communications systems as required.
Perform site assessments and evaluations of equipment to be maintained. Perform preventive maintenance duties at schedules intervals on all control and communications systems as required. Create preventive maintenance templates and schedule PM routines through the enterprise asset management (EAM) system.
Ensure an adequate stock of spare parts and equipment is maintained.
Requisition supplies, materials, tools, and equipment utilizing the computerized Purchase Requisition system.
Process and track work orders utilizing the computerized enterprise asset management (EAM) system.
Coordinate District intra-departmental work and work with outside agencies and companies to complete assigned task(s) as required.
Participate in the department after-hours standby program.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Comply with District safety work-related practices and attend relevant safety training.
Qualifications
Education:- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Electronics, or any combination of experience, education, and training in industrial automation and controls, SCADA and PLC Integration, process control and Information Systems that would provide the required skills, knowledge, training, and abilities is qualifying. For degrees obtained outside of the U.S., an official equivalency evaluation is required.
Experience:
- Combination of four years of experience in the Information Systems, Electrical, Instrumentation and/or Automation field that would provide the required experience, knowledge, and abilities to effectively carry out the job duties assigned.
- Prior work and troubleshooting experience with the following are highly desired:
- Troubleshooting industrial control systems, SCADA networks, working with process control strategies, automation standards and process instrumentation.
- Modbus and other industrial control protocols
- Radio, Routers, Switches, Cellular Modems, Ethernet to Serial Converters
- Monitoring and Notification system
- VFD, Soft starters, Power Quality Meters and Motor Protection Relays
- Windows & Linux operating systems
- VMware Hypervisor and Microsoft Hyper-V
- Change management, backup and restore software
- Wonderware System Platform, Historian, InTouch, InTouch Edge Indusoft Web Studio and AVEVA Edge
- Schneider Electric Control Expert, Unity, Concept and ProWorx NxT
- Training or certification in the following areas is highly desired:
- Wonderware System Platform Training
- Unity Pro Level I Training
- Certified Control System Technician (CCST)
- Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
- CompTIA IT Fundamentals
- CompTIA Network+
Licenses/Certifications:- California Class C driver's license is required.
- Must obtain a "Competent Tower Climber & Rescue Certification" within one year.
Additional Information
The physical and mental demands described below are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication
Ability to effectively communicate both oral and written. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of office/field employees, management and vendors. Represent District in a professional manner when dealing with outside suppliers and customers. Ability to advise and provide interpretation to others on how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
M athematical Ability
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, divide and calculate percentages. Understanding of advanced principles and mathematical reasoning and the ability to successfully apply that knowledge to solve scientific and engineering problems.
Technology Ability
Competent in the use of PC based computer systems. Ability to work with Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to configure network connectivity of equipment for TCPIP industrial control networks. Ability to troubleshoot and program Modicon PLCs and Wonderware SCADA products.
Judgment and Situational Reasoning Ability
Ability to use good personal judgment and discretion in performing all job functions. Ability to remain calm in crisis and emergency situations. Ability to use discretion when handling and disseminating sensitive information.
P hysical Requirements
Ability to lift 50 lbs. on a routine basis. 75 lbs. with assistance on an infrequent basis. Ability to exert moderate physical involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling. Ability to work at heights up to 120 ft. Ability to operate equipment and machinery with some requiring complex and rapid adjustments, such as hand and power tools, scaffoldings, bucket trucks, man lifts, and test equipment associated with the electrical/instrumentation trade.
E nvironmental Adaptability
Ability to work under sometimes uncomfortable conditions with exposure to environmental factors such as electricity up to 480V, explosive environments, toxic agents, wildlife, disease, equipment, traffic, or machinery.
IRWD offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. These benefits include the following: retirement benefits; medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; anda variety of other benefits. Benefits may vary based on employment status. This benefits overview is intended to be a summary, is not intended to be all-inclusive,and may not be applicable to all employees.
Retirement Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013:
The District, in compliance with the California Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2012 (PEPRA), implemented a third tier for new employees hired on or after January 1, 2013. New employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have not been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system within 6 months of hire date will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at a 2 percent at age 62 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefits of 2.5 percent at age 67. Final compensation calculations will be based on the highest three-year average of regular recurring pay. The District pays the employer's share of these costs. The employee share of the pension cost of 7.50% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula.
Employees hired on or after September 29, 2012 or "Classic" PERS members hired on or after January 1, 2013:
On September 24, 2012, the IRWD Board of Directors approved the addition of a second tier to the CalPERS retirement benefits. New employees hired on or after September 29th through December 31, 2012, and employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who have been in PERS membership or in membership with a reciprocal retirement system, will receive benefits under the California Public Employees Retirement System at 2 percent at age 60 formula. This formula gradually increases to a maximum benefit of 2.418% at age 63. The District pays the employer share of these costs and the employee share of the pension cost of 7% is paid in full by the employees hired under this formula. Final retirement compensation calculations are based on the highest three-year average of regular, recurring pay.
IRWDdoes not participate or pay into Social Security except for the Medicare portion.
Medical InsuranceIRWD contracts with CalPERS for medical insurance coverage. Employees may elect coverage from a variety of PPO and HMO plans. The employee and District contribution for health insurance varies by plan.Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.
Dental InsuranceIRWD contracts with Delta Dental for dental coverage.IRWD pays 100% of the premium for dental coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.
Vision InsuranceIRWD contracts with the EyeMed for vision coverage. IRWD pays 100% of the premium for vision coverage for eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.
Life InsuranceElgible employees are provided with life insurance coverage equal to three or four times their annual salary, depending on their level of compensation. Eligible dependents are also covered for a flat benefit amount. Coverage is effective the first day of the month following the date of hire.
Deferred CompensationParticipation in adeferred compensation plan is available through Empower Retirement. Enrollment is voluntary and contributions are employee-paid and subject to IRS limits. The District matches employee contributions up to 3% of base pay after 1 year of employment.
Paid VacationEligible employees begin accruing vacation benefits at the rate of 80 hours per year for the first 5 years of employment and are eligible to use paid vacation time after 6 months of employment. Employees accrue 120 hours per year after 5 years of employment and 160 hours per year after 10 years of employment.
Paid HolidaysThe District offers 11 scheduled paid holidaysplus one personal holiday per year.
Sick LeaveEligible employees accrue 96 hours of sick leave annually.
Flexible Spending AccountsEligible employees may elect to participate in the District's Flex Advantage program. This program allows employees to deposit pre-tax dollars into special accounts to be used for a variety of purposes, including paying for qualified miscellaneous health care expenses and dependent care expenses. IRWD contracts with a third party administer to process payments from employee accounts using claim forms or a Flex Spending debit card.
Educational AssistanceThe District will share in the pre-approved educational costs of tuition and books for employees who wish to attend college or take certification classes.
Closing Date/Time: Continuous
