Electronic Specialist (Civil Service) (Wastewater Treatment Plant)

Electronic Specialist (Civil Service) (Wastewater Treatment Plant)

Salary

$62,981.98 - $86,195.20 Annually

Location

Wastewater Treatment Plant, 3100 S Lewis Blvd, Sioux City, IA

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

202600100

Department

Utilities Wastewater Treatment Ops

Division

Utilities Treatment Operations

Opening Date

09/08/2026

Closing Date

9/22/2026 11:59 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits

Description

The Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is seeking an Electronics Specialist to join our team.

Under general direction of Management, performs responsible and skilled technical duties and coordinates duties related to the operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, plant instrumentation, and control systems.

The Electronics Specialist plays an important role in maintaining the reliable operation of plant instrumentation, controls, SCADA equipment, variable frequency drives, programmable logic controllers, and associated electronic and electrical systems.

Primary Duties:

• Directs and assists in the calibration of instrumentation in accordance with manufacturers specifications.
• Coordinates computer preventive maintenance schedules with other plant personnel and vendors.
• Instructs and trains plant personnel in the operation and maintenance of plant control system instrumentation.
• Analyzes and evaluates the overall effectiveness and efficiency of instrumentation and control systems.
• Directs and assists assigned personnel in cleaning and preventive maintenance of instrumentation, including analytical, level, pressure, sensing, and related equipment.
• Operates laptop computers to troubleshoot equipment and input data.
• Develops and directs preventive maintenance programs.
• Maintains accurate records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance activities performed.
• Inspects, tests, adjusts, cleans, and replaces low-voltage switchgear.
• Adjusts and maintains valves.
• Assists plant maintenance employees as needed.
• Maintains good public relations through courteous and prompt attention to citizen requests for service.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance and working hours.
• May be expected to temporarily perform duties outside of the normal classification in the event of a declared emergency.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

The successful candidate should possess a working knowledge of instrumentation, controls, and procedures used in wastewater treatment facilities, including an understanding of plant system design and basic wastewater treatment principles.

The position requires the ability to:

• Think analytically and develop solutions to complex technical problems.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, electronic, electrical, and control systems.
• Operate computers and related peripheral equipment.
• Work with plant SCADA systems and associated control equipment.
• Assist with diagnosing SCADA and motor control system issues.
• Understand and work with variable frequency drives (VFDs) and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Read and interpret electrical and instrumentation schematics.
• Plan, schedule, coordinate, and inspect technical work.
• Communicate effectively with Operations, Maintenance, contractors, vendors, and other City personnel.
• Apply appropriate safety procedures when working around electrical equipment, chemicals, machinery, confined spaces, and wastewater treatment processes.

Work Schedule:

The Electronics Specialist generally follows a regular Monday through Friday work schedule. Because the Wastewater Treatment Plant operates 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, the position may be required to work outside normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, emergency response situations, and call-outs as operational needs dictate.

Residency Requirement:

Employees are required to reside within 30 miles of the Sioux City limits, including adjoining areas in Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

Special Requirements:

Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license throughout employment.

Must obtain an Iowa Grade I Wastewater System Certificate within twenty-four (24) months of appointment OR Alternatively, an equivalent level or higher of certification issued by another state may be accepted with written proof from the state of Iowa that such certification is transferable to the State of Iowa.

Education and Experience:

Graduation from a trade school with an electrical, electromechanical, or instrumentation diploma;

OR

One year of job experience working with electrical, electromechanical, or instrumentation equipment, preferably including variable frequency drives, SCADA systems and programmable logic controllers.

OR

Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Possession of a current State of Iowa Class A Journeyman Electricians License or State of Iowa Class A Master Electricians License is preferred.

Experience with the following is also highly desirable:

• Wastewater treatment plant instrumentation and control systems.
• SCADA systems.
• Programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs).
• Motor control systems.
• Electronic troubleshooting and repair.
• Instrument calibration and preventive maintenance.

Duties

• Directs and assists in the calibration of instrumentations in accordance with manufacturers specifications.
• Coordinates computer preventive maintenance schedules with other plant personnel and vendors.
• Instructs and trains plant personnel in the operation and maintenance of plant control system instrumentations.
• Analyzes and evaluates the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the instrumentation control systems.
• Directs and assists assigned personnel in cleaning and preventative maintenance of instrumentation including analytical, level, pressure, sensing equipment, etc.
• Operates laptop computer to trouble shoot and input data.
• Develops and directs preventative maintenance programs.
• Maintains accurate records detailing tests, repairs, and maintenance activities performed.
• Inspects tests, adjusts, cleans, and replaces low voltage switch gear.
• Adjusts and maintains valves.
• Assists plant maintenance employees as needed.
• Maintains good public relations through courteous and prompt attention to all citizen requests for service.
• Maintains regular and punctual attendance and working hours.
• Expected to temporarily perform duties outside of normal classification in the event of a declared emergency. If an employee is excused from work other than being sick, they will be required to report to work in a state of declared emergency.

Qualifications

Cognitive Demands, Skills and Abilities: Ability to speak clearly so others can understand you, ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer), ability to see details at a distance, ability to identify and understand the speech of another person, ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Skill in planning, scheduling, coordinating, and inspecting the work of subordinate personnel; skill in motivating employees. Determines how a system should work and how changes in conditions operations, and the environment will affect outcomes; ability to identify complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Job Knowledge: Complete working knowledge of instruments and procedures used in the Water Treatment Plant or Wastewater Treatment Plant including plant system design and of the basic principles of Water Treatment Plant or Wastewater Treatment Plant treatment. Ability to think analytically and develop solutions to complex technical problems. Ability to operate electronic computers and related peripheral equipment; and to direct and oversee the work of others in the use of computer operation and related software. Ability to assist with diagnosing SCADA Systems and Motor Control System issues is considered a plus. Working knowledge of safety procedures and application of safety principles to chemical handling, use of equipment, facility maintenance and use of personal protective equipment.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication: Requires effective communication skills and the ability to provide direction and assistance to employees. Requires the ability to speak clearly, distinctly, and effectively with fellow employees; read schematics in English and compare similarities and differences between words and series of numbers; apply common sense understanding to the work process and procedures; and to provide and follow verbal and written instructions. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, city officials and regulatory personnel.

Physical Requirements: The employee frequently is required to use hands and fingers to handle and feel; reach with hands and arms; and smell. Ability to quickly move hands, hands together with arms, or two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects, ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time; this involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue, ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without giving out or fatiguing, ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with your body, arms, and/or legs; ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Regularly lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds and occasionally lifts up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment: Work is typically performed inside and/or outside and includes there to be a potential for exposure to disagreeable environmental factors. Such factors included being exposed to dampness, wetness, humidity, toxic/caustic substances, grease, dirt, fumes, gasses, odors, insects, unrestrained animals, cold, heat, noise, mechanical, chemical, and electrical hazards, atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system, confined spaces, and may require the use of a respirator. The employee may be exposed to moving mechanical parts. The noise level in certain areas of the work environment may be loud. Visits to locations within the community whose environment may be different. Travel in all types of weather extremes to perform job duties, attend training, meetings, conferences, and workshops.

Minimum Required Qualifications

Must possess a valid driver's license throughout length of employment. Must obtain an Iowa Grade I Wastewater System Certificate within (36) thirty-six months of appointment.

Must possess a valid driver's license throughout length of employment. Must obtain a State of Iowa (IDNR) certification as a Grade I Water Treatment Operator AND a Grade I Water Distribution Operator within (3) three years of appointment and Grade II Water Treatment Operator AND a Grade II Water Distribution Operator within (5) five years of appointment.

Graduation from a trade school with an electrical, electromechanical or instrumentation diploma.

or

One year of job experience working with electrical, electromechanical or instrumentation equipment preferably variable frequency drives and programmable logistic controllers.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skill, and abilities.

PREFERRED: Possession of a current State of Iowa Class A journeyman electricians license or State of Iowa Class A master electricians license a plus.

For Full-Time employees and qualifying Transit and Library Part-Time employees, the City of Sioux City offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, Vision, Flex Spending Accounts, Life, Disability and Retirement. For more information on the benefits available, please visit our website.

Employer City of Sioux City

Address 405 6th Street

Sioux City, Iowa, 51101

Phone 712-279-6200

Website http://www.sioux-city.org