CONTROL SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN

Position Information

Arlington County's Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking a highly motivated, team oriented and technically competent Control Systems Technician (CST) for their state-of-the-art Wastewater Treatment Plant, a 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, continuous operation facility that treats 24 million gallons of wastewater daily for residences and businesses.

Specific duties include:

• Performing installation, maintenance and repair of electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical instrumentation;
• Performing predictive, preventive and corrective maintenance of computer-based process control, SCADA, and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), using a variety of diagnostic tools, historical data, blueprints, factory specifications and the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS);
• Analyzing system failures or condition to determine root cause or potential for breakdown;
• Evaluating problems or work assignments to determine, scope of project, set priorities, project resource needs and to plan follow-up activities;
• Leading projects;
• Documenting work and maintaining records;
• Coordinating work with other agencies or contractors;
• Assisting in the training of staff; and
• Monitoring work and systems to ensure compliance with Federal, State, and County codes, regulations, standards and mandates.

The Control Systems Technician II (CCST) performs the full range of systems analysis and diagnostic work required to design, repair and maintain all instrumentation and control systems and equipment in the WPCP and remote lift stations. This includes responsibility for designing, installing, maintaining, and repairing complex industrial control systems and equipment in the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP), Potable Water Pumping Stations and Sewage Lift Stations. The employee works in the field, at the input-output level, diagnosing and resolving complex problems involving a variety of designs and modifications.

Work is performed in an industrial environment and involves exposure to high voltage wire, hazardous chemicals, strong odors, drafts, noise, dust, grease, and dirt with extended periods of standing, walking, bending, crouching, lifting light to very heavy objects and equipment, and working in confined spaces.

Selection Criteria

Minimum: High school diploma or the equivalent and successful completion of the County's technical in-house training program, plus three years of experience in an industrial process control environment which includes assisting with the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair and calibration of electronic controls. See special requirements below.

Substitution: Additional qualifying technical training/applicable educational coursework may substitute for up to one year of experience.

Special Requirements

1) Ability to obtain International Society of Automation (ISA) Certified Control Systems Technician Level I (CCST I) certification within three (3) years of hire date.

2) Control Systems Technician II level requires ISA CCST II certification, valid driver's license, Confined Space Entry certification including participation and successful completion of the County's in-house technical training program.

3) Ability to obtain Confined Space Entry certification within one (1) year of hire date.

4) Able to pass a respirator fit test and work in confined spaces.

5) Ability to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

6) Applicant must possess, or obtain by time of appointment, a valid motor vehicle operator's license from the applicant's place of residence. The applicant must authorize Arlington County to obtain, or the applicant must provide, a copy of the applicant's official state/district driving record. Any offer of employment may be contingent upon a favorable review of the applicant's driving record.

Additional Information

Work hours: 6:00a.m. - 2:30p.m., Monday through Friday, some overtime will be required; must be available for holdover and/or callback in emergency situations.

Employees hired as a Control Systems Technician I (CST I) will be hired at the Trainee level and will remain as a Trainee for no more than three (3) years until they obtain the required ISA CST Level I certification at which time the employee may receive a pay increase, not to exceed the range maximum, and the employee's probation period will begin.

The CST I may advance to the CST II level after completing the CST training program, meeting all minimum qualifications of the CST II, and demonstrating the ability to proficiently and independently perform advanced duties.

Permanent status with the County is not obtained until successful completion of training and certification requirements for the positions, followed by a 12-month probationary period. All employees must complete all stated requirements within the specified timeframes, or they will be subject to separation from County employment.

These positions are part of a two-level Control Systems Technician I/II Multi-Grade pay band which includes Grades 8 and 9 (Grade 7 for trainee), CST I, and CST II level work. Experience will be evaluated by the Department of Environmental Services and the supervisor will talk with each new employee about how the competencies can be achieved, both through training and experience on the job.

Salary ranges:

CST I (Trainee): $54,537.60 - $83,283.20
CST I: $59,051.20 - $90,147.20
CST II: $63,544.00 - $97,136.00

Please complete each section of the application. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

This position is listed as "open continuous." Interested applicants are advised to submit their applications as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed, and qualified applicants referred on a continuous basis. Interviews will be conducted on a regular basis throughout the recruitment with candidates whose qualifications best fit our needs. If your application is received later in the recruitment process, it may not be reviewed or considered. The application process will close when the position has been filled or when a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received.