Job Title: Instrumentation Technician Supervisor (Water Treatment)

Job Summary:

The Instrumentation Technician Supervisor (Water Treatment) is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the daily operations of the instrumentation team in water treatment facilities. This role ensures that instrumentation systems, including pH meters, chlorine analyzers, turbidity sensors, flow meters, and pressure transmitters, are properly maintained, calibrated, and functioning efficiently. The supervisor will provide leadership, direction, and technical support to a team of technicians, ensuring that instrumentation systems are optimized for water treatment processes while adhering to safety and regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Team Leadership and Coordination:

   • Supervise and manage a team of instrumentation technicians, providing guidance, mentoring, and support to ensure effective performance.
   • Assign tasks and responsibilities to team members based on operational priorities and workload, ensuring that work is completed in a timely and efficient manner.
   • Conduct regular team meetings to discuss project progress, system performance, safety concerns, and other operational issues.
   • Ensure that the team follows company policies, safety procedures, and regulatory requirements while performing tasks related to instrumentation.

2. Instrumentation System Maintenance and Calibration:

   • Oversee and ensure the routine maintenance, calibration, and repair of water quality monitoring instruments, including pH meters, chlorine analyzers, turbidity sensors, flow meters, and pressure transmitters.
   • Ensure that all instrumentation systems are calibrated regularly and performing accurately according to established standards.
   • Provide technical guidance and support to the team when troubleshooting issues with instrumentation systems and help implement corrective actions.

3. Monitoring System Performance and Troubleshooting:

   • Monitor the performance of water treatment instrumentation systems, ensuring that they are operating within optimal parameters for water quality control and treatment.
   • Lead troubleshooting efforts to address complex instrumentation issues, including sensor malfunctions, calibration errors, and communication problems between control systems (SCADA, PLC).
   • Work closely with engineers and operators to identify and resolve issues impacting water treatment operations.

4. Regulatory Compliance and Reporting:

   • Ensure that all instrumentation systems comply with relevant environmental and water quality regulations, including local, state, and federal standards.
   • Maintain accurate records of calibration, maintenance, and repair activities, ensuring that they meet compliance requirements for audits and inspections.
   • Generate and submit reports on instrumentation performance, system issues, maintenance activities, and compliance documentation as required by regulatory authorities.

5. Safety and Risk Management:

   • Ensure that all instrumentation work is performed in compliance with safety standards and environmental regulations, minimizing risks to personnel, equipment, and the environment.
   • Promote a safety-first culture within the instrumentation team, ensuring that all team members are trained in safe work practices and the proper handling of hazardous materials and equipment.
   • Participate in safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations related to instrumentation systems, ensuring that corrective actions are implemented.

6. Training and Development:

   • Provide ongoing training and development opportunities for junior and mid-level technicians, ensuring that the team remains up-to-date with the latest instrumentation technologies, maintenance techniques, and regulatory requirements.
   • Mentor and coach team members to enhance their technical skills, troubleshooting abilities, and understanding of water treatment systems and instrumentation.
   • Ensure that the team is well-prepared to handle the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of advanced instrumentation systems.

7. Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:

   • Collaborate with other departments, including operations, engineering, and maintenance, to ensure that instrumentation systems are aligned with plant goals and operational requirements.
   • Work closely with senior engineers to provide technical feedback and recommendations for improving system performance, reducing downtime, and increasing operational efficiency.
   • Support operators by offering advice and assistance related to instrumentation systems, calibration, and system performance.

8. Project Management Support:

   • Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of instrumentation system upgrades, new installations, and process control improvements.
   • Oversee the installation, calibration, and testing of new instrumentation systems to ensure seamless integration with existing infrastructure.
   • Provide technical oversight during the commissioning and startup phases of new instrumentation systems, ensuring that they meet operational specifications.

Key Focus Areas:

• Team Leadership and Supervision: Lead a team of technicians, assigning tasks, providing technical guidance, and ensuring safe and efficient work practices.
• Instrumentation Maintenance and Calibration: Ensure that all instrumentation systems are properly maintained, calibrated, and functioning to meet water quality and regulatory standards.
• Troubleshooting and System Optimization: Oversee troubleshooting efforts and lead the resolution of complex instrumentation issues to minimize downtime and maintain system reliability.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensure compliance with safety regulations and water treatment standards, while maintaining accurate documentation for regulatory audits.
• Training and Development: Foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring the team has the necessary skills to perform effectively and adapt to new technologies.

Skills and Knowledge Required:

• Strong knowledge of instrumentation systems used in water treatment, including pH meters, chlorine analyzers, turbidity sensors, flow meters, and pressure transmitters.
• Proficiency in SCADA systems, PLC programming, and control systems integration related to water treatment and monitoring.
• Experience in troubleshooting and resolving issues with instrumentation systems, sensors, and control systems.
• Knowledge of water treatment processes, including filtration, disinfection, and chemical dosing, and how instrumentation supports these processes.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills to lead a team and collaborate with other departments.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple projects, and ensure timely completion of maintenance and calibration activities.

Educational Qualifications:

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Additional certifications or training in SCADA systems, PLCs, water treatment processes, or industrial instrumentation is a plus.

Experience:

• 4-6 years of experience in instrumentation, process control, or water treatment systems, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
• Proven experience in maintaining, calibrating, and troubleshooting complex instrumentation systems used in water treatment facilities.
• Experience working with SCADA systems, PLCs, and other process control technologies in water treatment or industrial settings is preferred.

Tools and Technologies:

• Proficiency with SCADA software platforms (e.g., Siemens WinCC, Wonderware, Ignition) and PLC systems (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley).
• Experience with water quality monitoring instruments (e.g., pH meters, chlorine analyzers, turbidity sensors).
• Familiarity with data analysis, performance monitoring tools, and instrumentation diagnostic equipment (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes).

Other Requirements:

• Strong organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure and in a dynamic environment, making decisions based on operational needs.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including on-call shifts, to support critical instrumentation needs.