Associate Control Systems Engineer

Effective: 10/18/05
Range: S-79
Respirator Class: 3

Definition
Use the Plant Operation Division’s process computer system to make software changes to improve or expand computer and/or control system performance; assess, develop, and implement new computer programs as required; help manage and maintain the pumping station SCADA system; assist in diagnosing exchange problems between plant central control and other systems (laboratory LIMS, Mainsaver, and intranet/Content Management System).

Distinguishing Characteristics
An Associate Control Systems Engineer works under direction and is expected to perform difficult computer engineering work requiring the use of judgment and initiative in developing solutions to problems, interpreting general policies, and determining work assignments. Advanced knowledge and experience is required of control systems and computer programming. Work in this class is distinguished from that of the Assistant Control Systems Engineer class by the greater complexity of the assignments received, by the greater independence with which an incumbent is expected to operate, and by the possession of a Certificate of Registration as a professional engineer in the State of California. In addition, positions assigned to the class of Associate Control Systems Engineer may be responsible for project management during the course of an engineering project.

Supervision Received And Exercised

• Receive direction from the Senior Control Systems Engineer.
• May exercise direct or indirect supervision over other Control Systems staff.

Examples Of Essential Duties
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Make changes to existing application software to improve or expand control system or information sharing capabilities.
• Develop, debug, install, and document new computer programs when required for the addition of new control system or management information system capabilities.
• Diagnose hardware and software problems by logical tracing of the failed function from its source to its final destination; implement corrective action for software related problems and provide diagnosis to maintenance for hardware failures.
• Use computer system processors and diagnostics to back up and monitor software integrity and security.
• Use Plant computer control system to make changes to data bases, schematics, and code. Reflect and document changes and additions to plant instrumentation.
• Perform limited instrumentation projects under direction of the Senior Control Systems Engineer.
• Assist Operators and correct control problems encountered.
• Maintain the integrity of all software and data files including process control displays and programs; maintain secure back-up images.
• Provide Operator training as required on HMI, schematics, and control interfaces.
• Create new HMI schematics and scripting.
• Assist in ensuring data compliance using numerical methods.
• Train external data users in viewing and retrieving historical data.
• Assist in reviewing area project submittals (specifications, drawings) for technical content (approach and correctness) and clarity.
• Assume the duties of the Senior Control Systems Engineer as required.
• Perform related duties as required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of electrical, mechanical, data communications, and/or computer engineering.
• Computer programming in a variety of languages, preferably one object-oriented, one script, and one or more operating systems used at the District.
• Control systems theory and its practical application to process control and field instrumentation.
• The plant PLC network layout and major PLC component locations.
• Safety hazards and appropriate precautions applicable to work assignments.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis analyze programming, observe monitoring signals, troubleshoot system, understand system operation, and explain new programs to operators. Intermittently interpret data, and remember system modifications and system configurations.
• Sit at a computer for long periods of time on a continuous basis, perform simple grasping and fine manipulation, and lift or carry weight of 10 pounds or less.
• Distinguish basic colors as per plant convention (white/red/green/yellow/magenta).
• Learn new computer systems from documentation and training.
• Apply the principles of software management to organize and maintain software integrity.
• Understand process control instrumentation diagrams including, but not limited to, the concepts of cascade control, feedback and feed-forward.
• Understand PID control including the concepts of cascade and ratio control, feedback and feed forward, filtering, and lag.
• Understand basic control algorithms used including timed control, weighted sum, Boolean gates, and on-off control.
• Understand computer data communication protocols including to the byte and bit level.
• Diagnose problem to isolate cause.
• Use personal computers and software applications including, but not limited to, spreadsheet software, communication diagnostics, program compilers, compression, and ftp.
• Understand the complex mathematical concepts such as scaling, conversions, raising to a power, logic ops (AND/OR/XOR), integration, totalization, linear fit
• approximation and extrapolation, limitations and implications of underlying assumptions, dimensionless analysis, base conversions, and data outliers.
• Provide back up as required for Senior Control Systems Engineer.
• Learn and observe all appropriate safety precautions as required by the District including, but not limited to, Cal/OSHA General Industry Safety Orders, the District's Respiratory Protection Program, and District Safety Directives.
• Work shift, on‑call, weekends, and holidays as assigned.

Experience and Education:
Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience 

• Two years of professional engineering experience comparable to that of the Assistant Control Systems Engineer in the District.

Education

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major work in electrical or mechanical engineering or closely related field.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Possession of a valid Certificate of Registration as a professional engineer issued by the State of California.
• May need to possess a valid California Driver's License as required by the position.