Field SCADA Technician

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities.  If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. 

Are you looking for a fantastic career at Aqua? We have an outstanding opportunity for a SCADA Technician in the Richmond, VA area!

The SCADA Technician plays a critical role in our Process Control department. The position maintains and enhances existing process control systems to ensure continuous delivery of safe drinking water and reliable wastewater services to our customers. There will also be opportunities to develop and startup new control systems under the guidance of the other department members. This position requires someone who enjoys a challenge and appreciates the opportunity to work both independently and as part of a team.

Total Base Pay Range: $79,018.97 - $90,870.97

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: (Primary Duties and Responsibilities)

• Troubleshoots and maintains PLC, OIT, and HMI programs used to operate and control water and wastewater facilities.
• Troubleshoots and maintains communications devices such as switches, radios, routers, and modems.
• Builds strong working relationships with operations staff to resolve monitoring and control issues. Ensures all modifications are tested and functional from the PLC to the end user’s display.  Follows departmental protocols, processes and standards to ensure equipment is working properly and issues are fully resolved within service level agreements.
• Partners with electricians and instrument techs to ensure field devices are properly monitored and controlled by the PLC.
• Performs additions and upgrades to PLC, OIT, and HMI programs including startup and testing in order to provide continuous improvement of operations. 
• Delivers turnkey systems from program development through startup and commissioning.  Prepares project plan and status updates as needed. 
• Updates and maintains current and accurate documentation for all field modifications.
• Assists with other tasks or projects as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function(s).

QUALIFICATIONS (Required Experience, Education, Licenses, and Certifications)

• Associate’s degree or relevant technical experience.
• 5+ years experience in related field.
• Experience with the following systems and technology is desired: Allen Bradley PLCs / RSLogix; Modicon PLCs / Unity; Wonderware Intouch or System Platform
• Preferably, 2 years of Water or Wastewater experience.
• Valid U.S. driver’s license

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Understanding of electrical circuits, programming concepts, and process control instrumentation
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, PLC/OIT Programming (Unity, RSLogix, Etc), Visio
• Familiarity with digital multimeter technology
• A basic knowledge of network communications diagnostics tools
• Familiarity with the safe operation of hand tools
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely and professionally) with internal customers
• Strong inter-personal skills will be required for interfacing with operations staff and vendors using the SCADA systems. This position requires the ability to work independently and take projects from concept through startup
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered multi-tasking environment                       

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Perform sedentary work- exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.                       
• See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.                                    
• Operate standard office equipment.       
• Working conditions may include travel to work sites of Essential Utilities
• Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Must be available for emergency response including 24/7 response on a rotational basis

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).  
To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the hiring and assignment of these individuals including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship
• Family members cannot work in the same department.