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