Industrial Automation Technician (PLC/HMI Technician)

We are the Metropolitan Council, the regional government for the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. We plan 30 years ahead for the future of the metropolitan area and provide regional transportation, wastewater, and housing services. More information about us on our website.

We are committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

Join an award-winning wastewater industry leader in protecting our environment! Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) operates and maintains the wastewater collection and treatment system in the Twin Cities metropolitan region. It also provides coordinated long-range water resources and supply planning, air and water quality monitoring to meet future needs. MCES treatment plants consistently earn state and national awards for complete compliance with their environmental permits. MCES received a Governor's Award as a Great Place to Work. To find out more about the Environmental Services division, please click on the link for more information: https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water.aspx.

How your work would contribute to our organization and the Twin Cities region:

The Industrial Automation Technician is required to provide feedback, recommendations, and perform maintenance and improvements of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system for the Interceptor Collection system. This system consists of 610 miles of underground sewer pipe, 60 sewage pump (lift) stations, 230 wastewater flow meters, and 8 emergency relief structure sites in the seven-county Metro area. The Industrial Control System (ICS) is at the nine Metropolitan Council Environmental Services Wastewater Treatment Plants. The SCADA and ICS systems are highly sophisticated and critical parts of the successful 24x7x365 operations of the collection system and plants by using automation to control equipment (motors, pumps, valves, etc.) and data collection for permit compliance and optimization requirements. The SCADA system is a real-time control system that requires extremely high availability and lock-step coordination with the operational needs of the collection system.

• Assist in Developing and implementing Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) code to accomplish the required process control outcomes and ensure safe and reliable operations of field equipment.
• Help Maintain and modify Human Machine Interface (HMI) displays and graphics to improve the system and enable users to navigate to needed areas of the process and observe the conditions and control specific equipment.
• Help Develop and maintain data processes and data structures to ensure the delivery of high-quality data from PLC to HMI.
• Provide leadership and expertise by interpreting standards and procedures which ensure that SCADA real-time data is reliably collected and forwarded to systems and end-users.
• Evaluate SCADA and ICS security to keep SCADA and ICS systems functioning and safe from outside intrusion.
• Continuous improvement of SCADA and ICS hardware and software components to ensure the system is robust, stable, and positioned for growth. Provide feedback and recommendations for the management and administration of the SCADA hardware/software components.
• Define project plans including scope, schedule, and implementation for internal improvement projects. Plan and coordinate work on MCES Capital projects according to established project plans.
• Provide technical support for field Interceptor and Plant operations staff to ensure SCADA and ICS systems support operational and business processes.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Any of the following combinations in completed education (degree field of study in Engineering, Computer Science, or a closely related field) and experience with Industrial Control or SCADA systems.

• A High school diploma/GED AND
  • two (2) years specific experience working on an Industrial Control System in Wastewater Treatment or a similar type of operational facility, AND
  • two (2) years' experience as an Industrial Automation Trainee in the Metropolitan Council's Environmental Services Process Computer Group, OR
  • four years (4) specific experience working on an Industrial Control System in Wastewater Treatment or a similar type of operational facility.

• A Two (2) year technical degree in Industrial Automation (a bachelor's degree in computer science may be substituted for the 2-year degree, but will not be counted toward experience) PLUS
  • two (2) years specific experience working on an Industrial Control System (ICS) in a Wastewater Treatment or similar type operational facility, OR
  • four (4) years of specific experience working on an Industrial Control System in Wastewater Treatment or a similar type of operational facility.

• Two (2) years of related experience as an Industrial Automation Trainee in the Metropolitan Council's Environmental Services Process Computer Group
• Experience in a Wastewater Treatment or similar type of operational facility.
• Experience working with diverse populations of internal and external customers

What knowledge, skills, and abilities you should have within the first six months on the job:

• Knowledge of Programmable Logic Controller function block diagram, ladder logic, structured text programming well enough to maintain, modify and troubleshoot applications
• Knowledge of Human Machine Interface of various types of programming and configuration well enough to maintain, modify and troubleshoot displays
• Technical knowledge of MODICON Unity Pro, Scheider Control Expert, Rockwell Automation Studio 5000, (technical knowledge required may change with changing technology)
• Inductive Automation Ignition, Wonderware InTouch, Simplicity, FactoryTalk View Studio ME, Maple Touchscreens (technical knowledge required may change with changing technology)
• Knowledge of Computer hardware and software configuration (laptops, desktops, servers, tablets) methods well enough to maintain and modify ICS and its components
• Skilled in applying mathematic calculations and reasoning
• Skilled in writing technical documentation
• Skilled in technical communication
• Skilled in applying logical thinking and structured programming
• Ability to think sequentially, diagnose and troubleshoot problems
• Ability to motivate/mentor others on the team
• Ability to plan strategically with long term goals and short-term tasks
• Ability to prioritize work based on the criticality of the problems or projects
• Ability to solve problems creatively

What you can expect from us:

• We offer the opportunity to make a difference and positively influence the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
• We encourage our employees to develop their skills through on-site training and tuition reimbursement.
• We provide a competitive salary, excellent benefits and a good work/life balance.

More about why you should join us!

Union/Grade: AFSCME/Grade F
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: No

Work Environment:
Work is regularly performed in a normal office environment but requires occasional local Metropolitan area travel by car to do fieldwork. It requires flexible days and hours of work, occasional weekend work, nights and rotating on call. The position is occasionally required to work near moving parts or equipment. The position is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and the risk of electric shock. The position is exposed to moderate noise. The position requires lifting up to 50 lbs. and crawling under desks to plug in equipment.

Physical Requirements:
Ability to climb ladders, and descend/ascend stairs, grasp, bend, kneel, and reach. Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Physically and medically able to be certified on donning respirator and safety equipment.

What steps the recruitment process involves:

1. We review your minimum qualifications.
2. We rate your education and experience.
3. We conduct a structured panel interview.
4. We conduct a selection interview.