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