Engineering Instrumentation Technician

Engineering Instrumentation Technician

Salary

$44.40 - $53.96 Hourly

Location

Tacoma, WA

Job Type

Classified

Job Number

2019-26

Department

Water

Opening Date

10/19/2026

Closing Date

11/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Tacoma Water is seeking an Engineering Instrumentation Technician to install, calibrate, troubleshoot, and repair analog/digital instrumentation and SCADA equipment. The purpose of the position is to keep the SCADA system maintained in reliable working order to ensure water supply, storage, and treatment facilities are monitored and controlled accurately. This is a critical aspect of supplying our customers and partners with safe, reliable drinking water.

Responsibilities Include:

• Install, repair, modify, and maintain, specialized instrumentation equipment such as process monitoring and control equipment, SCADA telemetry and associated communications devices, interfaces for motor controls, data logging, as well as alarming and warning systems.
• Install, maintain, configure, modify, troubleshoot, and repair remote telemetry systems, programmable logic controllers, and associated signal transducers - including flow, pressure, level, and temperature.
• Calibrate and monitor corrosion control equipment associated with pipeline cathodic protection systems.
• Install and modify instrument related wiring systems.
• Actively engage in the preventative maintenance program and perform maintenance, verification, and calibration of field devices.
• Maintain appropriate equipment documents and parts inventory.

This position will be full time with day shift hours, Monday through Friday. Some overtime may be required for emergency or critical situations during the night or on weekends. Performance of duties will include working near electricity, hazardous chemicals, confined spaces, heights, and near water. At times duties may require working outside during inclement weather. Position requires climbing, lifting, bending and working in confined spaces.

This position will require close attention to detail and a thorough understanding that proper performance of the duties are critical for the system to operate correctly. Strong analytical capabilities will be necessary to aid in troubleshooting complex systems and finding the appropriate solution for repairs. Mechanical aptitude is important as well as the ability to read electrical and control schematics, operation and maintenance manuals, wiring diagrams, and ladder logic. Duties will require the use of power hand tools and electrical and electronic testing equipment.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or equivalent
• Two (2) years as a lead in an industrial work environment
• AND one of the following:
• Graduation from a technical institute with certification in Instrumentation or Electrical Technology and certification as a journey-level Electrician, Electrical or Instrumentation Technician OR
• Advanced course work in instrumentation, engineering, or related field and two years' experience in basic engineering work associated with industrial electrical or instrumentation and control maintenance

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Valid Washington State Driver's License at time of appointment with maintenance thereafter. Valid CPR and first aid certification within six months of appointment with maintenance thereafter.

Selection Process & Supplemental Information

City of Tacoma Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At the City of Tacoma, were on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. Were committed to eliminating racial and other disparities, and we actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. Join our team at the City of Tacoma and help us build a more vibrant, inclusive, and equitable community for all.

The City of Tacoma believes that diversity of thought, background, and experience contributes to our success and innovation. If you're passionate about this role and our mission, we encourage you to apply. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.

Apply

Interested individuals should apply online and attach a detailed resume and cover letter that includes job experience, major responsibilities, and accomplishments related to this position.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will have their responses to the supplemental questions scored by an evaluation committee. Each applicant will be scored on the basis of information provided. It is the responsibility of the applicant to describe all relevant experience and training. Applicants must pass the examination process to be placed on the eligible list for interview and hiring consideration.

Appointment is subject to passing a background check. This position is covered by a Labor Agreement between The City of Tacoma and Local 17. New employees must successfully complete a nine-month probationary period prior to obtaining permanent status in this classification.

Compensation & Benefits

Pay Details:

Hourly Rate: $44.40 - $53.96

Employee Benefits | City of Tacoma

Get Assistance

For assistance with the application process or questions regarding this job announcement please contact the Human Resources office at (253) 591-5400 by 4:00 p.m. of the closing date of the job announcement.

For technical difficulties using the NEOGOV system, call the applicant support line at 1-855-524-5627 between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This will allow us to assist you before the job announcement closes.

Communication with the City of Tacoma

We primarily communicate via email during the application process. Emails from tacoma.gov and/or governmentjobs.com should be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk email folders.

The City of Tacoma provides excellent medical, dental and vision plans for the whole family; paid holidays and paid leave; participation in the Tacoma Employees Retirement System (alternate plan for Police/Fire); continuing education and advancement opportunities and a growing variety of City-sponsored health and wellness opportunities and incentives.

Medical Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Dental Coverage: For eligible employees and their families, including domestic partners and dependent children age 26 or younger.

Vision Coverage: For eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

Paid Leave: City employees are entitled to received paid holidays, sick/vacation leave or personal time off (PTO), depending upon union affiliation and appointment type.

Insurance Plans: Employees are covered by a long-term disability plan. Short-term and expanded long-term disability insurance plans are also available to employees. The State Industrial Insurance Act also covers employees.

Deferred Compensation: Income can be set aside on a pretax basis and invested for supplementation of normal retirement income.

Retirement: All employees of the City, except members of the Police and Fire services, Tacoma Rail and certain project employees, are included in the Tacoma Employees Retirement System. Information on the Tacoma Employees Retirement System can be found at www.cityoftacoma.org or by calling (253) 502-8200.

Other Employment Information

Direct Deposit: Employees are paid on a bi-weekly schedule by direct deposit.

Salary Increases: Based on satisfactory job performance, the City provides for a regular progression of salary increases for most classifications according to the salary schedule.

Union Affiliation: Many job classifications are covered by union security provisions which require union membership, dues, or payment of equivalent service fees.

Note: The provisions of this job announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained herein may be modified and/or revoked without notice.

01

Responses to supplemental questions must be original content created by the applicant using their own words. The use of online tools or resources to create responses, such as Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT, etc.), Google, Bing, etc., or plagiarism in any form, is considered cheating and falsification of the application. I understand that any form of cheating or falsification will disqualify my application for further consideration.

• Yes
• No

02

Have you graduated from high school or equivalent?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you have 2+ years experience as a lead in an industrial work environment?

• Yes
• No

04

Select the answer that best describes your education and experience.

• Graduation from a technical institute with certification in Instrumentation or Electrical Technology and certification as a journey-level Electrician, Electrical or Instrumentation Technician
• Advanced course work in instrumentation, engineering, or related field and two years' experience in basic engineering work associated with industrial electrical or instrumentation and control maintenance
• None of the above

05

This position requires the successful candidate to have a valid Washington State Drivers License by their time of appointment, if selected. Do you currently possess a valid Washington State Drivers License or have the ability to obtain one by time of appointment?

• Yes
• No

06

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING TEST:

Questions #7-11 are the experience and training test that will be used to establish the eligibility list. These questions will be scored by subject matter experts who will not have access to any of your application materials, and will provide scores based solely upon your answers to the questions. Your answers must stand on their own merit. DO NOT RESPOND WITH "SEE RESUME" in lieu of answering this question, as raters will not have access to your resume or application and this will result in a score of 0 points and you will fail the test. Your score on the experience and training test will ONLY reflect your response to the questions asked.

Please indicate "Yes" that you have read and understand the instructions for questions #7-11.

• Yes
• No

07

Describe the type of SCADA and Instrumentation that you have worked on, including specific examples of devices.

08

What steps do you take to ensure your work is accurate, complete, and properly documented?

09

Describe your experience using your analytical skills to troubleshoot, evaluate and resolve difficult technical problems that deal with motor controls and process control systems, telemetry, or PLCs. Give a specific example for each area that applies.

10

Describe your overall experience working as a member of a team and provide at least one example. What was the teams goal, what was your role, were there any challenges that the team faced, how were the challenges resolved, what was the end result?

11

Describe your experience developing, implementing and monitoring electrical and instrumentation Preventative Maintenance Programs.

12

One of the Citys Principles that guides us is Equity. Describe what equity means to you and describe any experience you have working with diverse groups of people.

13

Please tell us how you learned about this job opening.

• Job Interest Card notification
• Professional organization
• Military organization
• City of Tacoma employee
• Online job board posting
• Word of mouth
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Careers in Government
• Government Jobs
• Outreach Event
• National Diversity Network
• African American Job Network
• Asian Job Network
• Disability Job Network
• Latino Job Network
• Retirement Job Network
• LGBT Job Network
• Veteran Job Network
• Other

14

Please provide specific information regarding how you learned about this job opening. Thank you, your feedback will be used to evaluate our success reaching the public and refine our methods for future job postings.

Required Question

Employer City of Tacoma

Address Human Resources Department

747 Market Street

Tacoma, Washington, 98402-3764

Phone 253-591-5400

Website http://www.tacoma.gov