Maintenance I (SPLA)

Position Summary:

The Level 1 Instrumentation Technician (Mastery Level) is a highly skilled professional responsible for the installation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of complex instrumentation and control systems across refinery operations. This role serves as a technical authority, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of critical process measurements and control systems, while providing leadership and mentorship to other technicians and contractors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Independently troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair complex instrumentation and control systems, including:
  • Pressure, temperature, flow, and level transmitters
  • Control valves and positioners
  • Analyzers (process and environmental)
  • Distributed Control Systems (DCS) and PLC field interfaces
• Perform precision calibration and configuration of field instruments
• Lead and execute instrumentation work during turnarounds, outages, and critical repairs
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior technicians and apprentices
• Interpret and utilize:
  • Loop diagrams
  • P&IDs
  • Instrument datasheets and specifications
• Ensure compliance with all safety and operational procedures, including:
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
  • Process safety management (PSM) requirements
  • Hazardous area classifications (Class I, Div 1 & 2)
• Diagnose and resolve control loop and process control issues
• Support advanced control strategies and optimization efforts
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on instrumentation systems
• Participate in root cause failure analysis (RCFA) and incident investigations
• Oversee and verify quality of contractor instrumentation work

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED
• Completion of an Instrumentation/Controls apprenticeship, technical program, or equivalent experience
• Significant experience in industrial or refinery instrumentation

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Advanced knowledge of:
  • Process instrumentation and measurement principles
  • Control systems (DCS/PLC) and loop tuning fundamentals
  • Signal types (4-20 mA, HART, Foundation Fieldbus, etc.)
  • Control valves, actuators, and positioners
  • Electrical fundamentals related to instrumentation
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Troubleshoot complex control and instrumentation issues independently
  • Interpret process conditions and relate them to instrumentation performance
  • Lead jobs and coordinate with operations, maintenance, and engineering
• Strong understanding of:
  • Hazardous area requirements
  • Industry standards and best practices
• Effective leadership, communication, and mentoring skills

Physical & Work Environment:

• Ability to work in refinery conditions including:
  • Elevated structures and confined spaces
  • Exposure to extreme temperatures and industrial hazards
• Ability to wear required PPE, including FR clothing and respiratory protection as needed

Preferred Qualifications:

• NCCER Instrumentation certification or equivalent
• Experience with specific DCS/PLC platforms (e.g., Honeywell, Emerson, Yokogawa, Allen-Bradley)
• Working knowledge of analyzer systems and advanced process control (APC)
• Experience with CMMS systems (e.g., SAP)

Role Expectations (Mastery Level):

• Works independently with minimal supervision
• Recognized as a subject matter expert in instrumentation and control systems
• Leads troubleshooting of critical process issues impacting production and safety
• Coaches and develops less experienced technicians
• Drives reliability improvements and instrumentation best practices
• Ensures precision, accuracy, and compliance in all work performed