Entry Level Instrumentation And Controls Technician Jobs

Location: 

Fort Collins, Colorado 

Summary

The Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Technician is responsible for installing, inspecting, testing, calibrating, commissioning, troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing instrumentation and control systems within industrial facilities. This position supports the safe and reliable operation of process equipment by ensuring instrumentation, control devices, and associated systems operate accurately and in accordance with applicable specifications, drawings, manufacturer requirements, and industry standards. The I&C Technician works with process instrumentation, control valves, PLC and DCS systems, electrical and electronic control circuits, and related equipment. The position requires strong troubleshooting skills and the ability to perform field work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary project, maintenance, commissioning, or outage team.

Qualification Requirements 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Technical degree, associate degree, or recognized training in Instrumentation, Electrical Technology, Industrial Electronics, Process Controls, or a related discipline preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of industrial instrumentation and controls experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• Experience installing, calibrating, testing, maintaining, and troubleshooting industrial instrumentation and control systems.
• Working knowledge of PLC, DCS, and process control systems.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, instrument data sheets, and manufacturer documentation.
• Experience working in industrial facilities such as refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants, power generation facilities, manufacturing facilities, or similar environments preferred.
• NCCER Instrumentation certification or equivalent industry-recognized certification preferred.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record in accordance with Company standards.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required customer site access and credentials

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of industrial instrumentation and process control principles.
• Knowledge of pressure, temperature, flow, level, analytical, and other process measurement technologies.
• Knowledge of control valves, actuators, positioners, transmitters, switches, sensors, and associated control equipment.
• Working knowledge of PLC, DCS, HMI, and industrial control systems.
• Knowledge of analog and digital control signals, including 4–20 mA, discrete I/O, and common industrial communication protocols.
• Ability to perform instrument calibration, loop checks, functional testing, and commissioning activities.
• Ability to use electronic test equipment, calibrators, multimeters, communicators, pressure sources, and other instrumentation testing equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and control system problems.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, instrument loop drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, logic diagrams, and technical specifications.
• Working knowledge of electrical safety practices, lockout/tagout procedures, and applicable NFPA 70E requirements.
• Understanding of hazardous-area classifications and equipment requirements applicable to industrial facilities.
• Ability to systematically diagnose equipment and system failures and determine appropriate corrective actions.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision and effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate technical findings clearly to customers, supervisors, engineers, and other field personnel.

​Essential Functions

• Install, inspect, test, calibrate, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair industrial instrumentation and control systems.
• Perform calibration and functional testing of pressure, temperature, flow, level, analytical, and other process instrumentation.
• Install, inspect, test, and troubleshoot transmitters, switches, sensors, control valves, actuators, positioners, and related equipment.
• Perform instrument loop checks, point-to-point verification, functional testing, and system commissioning activities.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, electrical control circuits, PLC/DCS I/O, communication signals, and associated control equipment.
• Verify instrument operation against applicable specifications, drawings, control narratives, manufacturer requirements, and project documentation.
• Read and interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, schematics, logic drawings, instrument data sheets, and technical manuals.
• Perform testing and troubleshooting of analog and digital signals, including 4–20 mA and discrete control circuits.
• Assist with PLC, DCS, HMI, and other control system troubleshooting and commissioning activities.
• Diagnose instrumentation and control system failures and recommend appropriate repairs or corrective actions.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance activities on instrumentation and control equipment.
• Support equipment startup, shutdown, commissioning, outages, turnarounds, and capital project activities.
• Verify proper operation of control valves, shutdown devices, alarms, interlocks, and other process control components.
• Document calibration results, test findings, equipment deficiencies, repairs, and completed work accurately.
• Prepare and maintain field service reports, calibration records, commissioning documentation, and other required technical records.
• Maintain tools, test equipment, and calibration equipment in proper working condition.
• Coordinate activities with customers, engineers, electricians, operations personnel, maintenance teams, and other crafts as required.
• Identify equipment deficiencies, reliability concerns, and unsafe conditions and communicate findings to appropriate personnel.
• Perform work in accordance with Company safety policies, customer requirements, OSHA regulations, NFPA 70E requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Follow established lockout/tagout, energized work, permit, and safe work procedures.
• Participate in job safety analyses, pre-job planning, toolbox meetings, and other required safety activities.
• Travel to customer facilities and project locations as required.
• Work overtime, weekends, holidays, extended shifts, and emergency callouts as project and customer requirements dictate

Physical Demands

• Ability to regularly stand, walk, sit, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and move throughout active industrial facilities and construction sites.
• Ability to walk and w​ork on uneven terrain, gravel, concrete, grating, scaffolding access areas, and other industrial surfaces.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and elevated structures as required to access instrumentation and control equipment.
• Ability to work at various elevations, within confined spaces, and around active industrial operations.
• Ability to wear required PPE for extended periods, including hard hats, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, flame-resistant clothing, and arc-rated PPE when required.
• Ability to visually inspect instrumentation, wiring, control equipment, drawings, displays, gauges, meters, and test equipment.
• Ability to distinguish colors and markings associated with electrical wiring, instrumentation, equipment identification, and control systems.
• Ability to communicate effectively in environments with moderate to elevated noise levels.
• Ability to regularly lift, carry, push, or pull tools, test equipment, materials, and components weighing up to 50 pounds and heavier loads with assistance.
• Ability to perform repetitive hand and finger movements required to use hand tools, testing equipment, computers, and instrumentation devices.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying environmental and weather conditions

Work Environment 

• Work is primarily performed in industrial facilities, including refineries, chemical and petrochemical plants, power generation facilities, manufacturing facilities, substations, construction sites, and other heavy industrial environments.
• Work may involve exposure to energized electrical equipment, process equipment, rotating machinery, chemicals, elevated work areas, confined spaces, excessive noise, dust, fumes, vibration, and varying weather conditions.​
• Work may be performed around operating process units and other safety-sensitive environments requiring strict compliance with customer and Company safety procedures.
• Frequent travel and overnight stays may be required depending on project assignments.
• Work schedules may include extended shifts, nights, weekends, holidays, outages, turnarounds, and emergency callouts.

• Employees must comply with all Company and customer site requirements, including required safety training, drug and alcohol testing, background screening, and site-specific access requirements.