Wastewater Facilities Lead Electrical/Instrumentation Technician na City of Santa Cruz, CA

About the Department

The current vacancy is for Wastewater Facilities Lead Electrical/Instrumentation Technician in the Wastewater Division of the Public Works Department. The eligibility list established from this recruitment may be used to fill other Wastewater Facilities Lead Electrical/Instrumentation Technician vacancies during the life of the list. The eligibility list established from this recruitment is valid for up to one year from the date established unless the list is extended or abolished by the Human Resources Director. 

Under general supervision, performs a variety of the more complex installation, maintenance and repair of electronic components and electrical systems in the Public Works Wastewater Systems division on the City’s wastewater treatment plant and remote facilities; and provides work and lead direction to assigned staff. 

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS:

The following process may be changed as deemed necessary by the Human Resources Director. The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

• On Thursday, 11/06/25 recruitment will close. All application materials must be received by the Human Resources Department by 5:00 pm; postmarks are not accepted. To apply, submit: 

  1. Application- online application only. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of filling out the application form completely.  Click the Apply button to begin the online process.
  2. Response to supplemental questions- will be a primary tool in the evaluation of your qualifications for this position. Any work experience described here must also be included in your employment history on the main application. 

• Week of 11/10 and 11/17/25: Applications will be competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications for this position. Candidates will be notified of their status in the recruitment by 11/28/25.
• Week of 12/01 and 12/08/25: Interviews will be tentatively scheduled for top candidates.  The examination process will include an interview and may include a written and/or performance exercise.  

Position Duties

(May include, but are not limited to, those duties listed below.)

• Installs, tests, calibrates, maintains, diagnoses and repairs all electrical systems. This includes switch gear, automatic transfer switches, motor control centers, control panels, safety relays, all associated equipment. This also includes solar power systems, motors, vacuum and pressure switches, automatic valves, solenoids, timers, flow meters, level meters, safety monitoring devices and panels. Other equipment includes hydraulic controls and devices, power monitoring, power relays, safety relays, and hazardous environment controls and equipment, specifically Class 1, Division 2.
• Installs, calibrates, maintains, diagnoses, and repairs instrumentation systems including PLC and cards, instrumentation panels, isolation devices, instrumentation equipment, and flow, level and pressure devices. Equipment to include D.O. probes, pH probes, Cl2 probes, UVT and turbidity meters. Safety instrumentation including H2S, methane and explosive environment.
• Installs, maintains, diagnoses, and repairs high and medium voltage systems. High voltage distribution gear, LI switches, fuses, transformers, breakers, motor starters and motors. Includes medium voltage moto controls, modulating valves and safety relays.  
• Installs, maintains, diagnoses, and repairs co-generation, emergency generator and large natural gas motorized pump systems. Including: automatic transfer switches, breakers, safety relays, control panels, gas controls systems and boilers. Equipment includes control panels, gas meters, flow meters, monitoring safety systems, modulating valves, gas mixers, gas blenders, pressure monitors, stand- alone PLC driven controls and explosion proof equipment and devices. 
• Performs emergency repairs and documents using a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). Performs preventive maintenance and documents using CMMS system. Uses Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to analyze data and trouble shoot automation.       
• Troubleshoots, maintains, and repairs instrumentation and electrical systems involved with co-generation systems.
• Reviews work orders and inspects locations where work is to be performed, noting special equipment needs and difficulties which may be encountered; performs inspections and confirmations on various electrical system repairs and installations; orders necessary equipment and materials; requisitions materials, supplies, and equipment for electrical maintenance.
• Programs and installs Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’S).
• Uses portable computers to troubleshoot and repair instrumentation/equipment.
• Assigned to special projects, such as serving as liaison with Wastewater Division employees, contractors, inspectors, etc. on operational and maintenance projects, treatment improvements, equipment upgrades, etc.
• Participates in and provides lead work direction to small crews of maintenance workers in maintenance work assignments; may train new personnel as required.
• Participates and leads in skills and safety training programs; learns and implements safety rules, regulations, and emergency procedures. 
• May design electronic and electrical system components.
• May order and maintain inventory control of parts and materials. 
• May be required to perform duties related to confined space entry and rescue.
• Performs other related duties that may be reasonably expected as part of this classification. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking on level and slippery surfaces, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, grasping and making repetitive hand movement in the performance of daily duties.  The position also requires both near and far vision when inspecting work and operating assigned equipment.  The need to lift, carry and push tools, equipment and supplies weighing up to 100 pounds while wearing respiratory protection equipment is also required.  Additionally, the incumbent in this outdoor position works in all weather conditions, including wet, heat and cold.  May use chemicals and cleaning products which may expose the employee to fumes, dust and air contaminants.  The nature of the work may also require the incumbent to climb ladders, use power tools and noise producing tools and equipment, drive motorized vehicles and heavy equipment, work in heavy vehicle traffic conditions and enter confined spaces.   Some positions require the incumbent to work both in and around oceanic surf to perform assigned duties.  Depending on assignment, the incumbent may be required to respond to after-hours emergency call outs and to wear a uniform. An incumbent may perform assigned duties while wearing respiratory protection equipment and/or Arc Flash safety equipment.  Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodations. 

Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualifications for Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities are the following:

Education and Experience

                                                      or

Knowledge:

• Installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair operation and testing of electrical equipment such as motors, circuits, instrumentation, telemetry systems, recording and metering devices, programmable logic controllers, and electronic circuitry.
• Theory and practice of electrical design, testing and troubleshooting of high, medium and low voltage systems and equipment and electrical motors.
• Theory and practice of troubleshooting and repairing co-generation systems and emergency generator systems.
• Pneumatic, hydraulic, electronic, and electro-mechanical systems.
• Intermediate computer skills.
• National Electric Code 70, 70E, electrical safe work practices. 

Abilities:

• Learn to make sound decisions, assimilate and communicate that information in a manner consistent with the essential job functions.
• Use software applications related to PLC programming and electrical schematics. 
• Recognize unusual or dangerous operating conditions and make sound judgments within established guidelines.
• Read schematics, blueprints, drawings, and construction diagrams.
• Perform mathematical calculations.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Complete and maintain accurate records.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Work effectively as a member of a crew.
• Lead and provide work direction to a small crew of employees.
• Act in a courteous and tactful manner with members of the public.
• Observe safety principles and work in a safe manner.
• Safely handle hazardous materials.
• Perform assigned duties while wearing respiratory protection or ArcFlash safety equipment.
• Maintain, adjust and repair industrial electrical and instrumentation machinery and equipment.
• Operate hand and power tools used in electrical maintenance work.
• Troubleshoot and repair Remote Terminal Units (RTUs).
• Program and Install Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs).
• Use portable computers and software in troubleshooting and repair of instrumentation / electrical equipment.
• Select proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), use safe electrical work practices.

Licenses and Certificates

• Possession at time of hire and continued maintenance of a California Class C driver's license. 
• Must possess at time of appointment a CWEA PM Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist Grade 2 certification (or 6 years of related experience may be substituted).
• Possession and continued maintenance of First Aid and CPR certification within one year.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must successfully complete the city’s respirator fit testing protocols; may be required to be clean shaven.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including holidays, evenings, weekends, and overtime as assigned.
• Willingness to perform call back work and standby duty as required; must remain available to be contacted by phone or pager and be able to report to work within a forty-five (45) minute period when standing duty. 
• Willingness to wear a uniform.
• Successful completion of training as a forklift operator within one year of appointment.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• CWEA Electrical/Instrumentation Technologist Grade 3 certificate
• California State Journeyman Electrical License

Other Qualifications

• Wastewater Facilities Electrical/Instrumentation Supervisor
• Wastewater Facilities Lead Electrical/Instrumentation Technician
• Wastewater Facilities Electrical/Instrumentation Technician II
• Utility Maintenance Technician or Wastewater Facilities Electrical/Instrumentation Technician I