Job no: 508250
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Building Maintenance
Union: AFSCME
Categories: Facilities/Grounds

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the testing, certifying, installing, repairing and inspecting of instrument and control systems. Maintains instruments that measure, record and operate the process-controlled systems used in research buildings. The role will also support the Campus with instrument calibrations.

Essential Functions

• Locates, diagnoses and repairs fault conditions in PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) based control systems, motor controls, AC (Alternating Current) drives, and associated industrial controls.
• Applies the principles of electrical theory as applied to electronic and power circuits including: wiring circuits, transformer connections, electrical recorders and instruments.
• Maintains burner management systems.
• Assembles, disassembles and maintains major rotating equipment such as synchronous condensers, motors and generators as required by normal assignment for production.
• Performs construction work in accordance with safe procedures and working from work orders and drawings.
• Interprets circuit maps, work orders and electrical diagrams.
• Performs all types of rigging associated with the removal and installation of equipment within buildings.
• Maintains and repairs temperature, pressure and flow measuring devices.
• Troubleshoots instrument and control malfunctions and selects the proper corrective action.
• Uses a variety of manual and power tools.
• Uses a variety of test instruments and equipment including personal computers, micro-processors, voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters, watt meters, oscilloscopes, relay test equipment and other related instruments.
• Takes precautions regarding occupational hazards of the electrical trade.
• Installs, maintains, and tests control systems, high speed data and telemetering systems, communication systems, load control systems, protective relays, and instruments.
• Works from drawings and documents field changes.
• Calibrates transducers and indicating meters.
• Documents test results.
• Tests and calibrates pneumatic and electronic equipment including pressure, temperature, level and flow transmitters, recorders, relays, universal power supplies (UPS) and positioners.
• Maintains lab safety supervisory instrumentation.
• Tests combustion control systems.
• Maintains records and an inventory of spare parts.
• Responds to emergency service calls.
• May exercise functional supervision over 1-5 employees on a project by project basis.
• Operates motor vehicle to travel to work sites.
• Practices and promotes excellent customer service in the work place. Meets routinely with customers and Customer Service Representatives to determine their needs. Implements new approaches to promote and assure quality improvements and exhibits a clear commitment to the diverse needs of customers.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as required.
• Must wear university clothing when supplied.
• This is a maintenance function, which includes overtime and returning to work between shifts when directed or called. It is the responsibility of the incumbent to provide current updated phone number(s) to the supervisor and the Solution Center.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Four years of full-time technical experience as an instrument technician (with troubleshooting, maintenance and repair duties at an industrial plant or institution) or similar military duties and one of the following:
  • Associate’s Degree (in electrical technology, control systems or related discipline)
  • Certification from ISA (International Society of Automation) or equivalent institution
  • Military training equivalent to the training referenced in the above bullets.
• Previous experience working with 4-20 MA (milliampere), mechanical and pneumatic control systems.
• Considerable knowledge of digital and analog controls.
• Skill in working with the tools and equipment used in the electrical process control trade.
• Ability to work from drawings and diagrams and from oral and written instructions.
• Ability to make job/work related decisions.
• Ability to climb, work in high places, work in confined spaces along with heavy lifting and other strenuous activities.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical sketches, diagrams, schematics and instruction books,
• Ability to repair, adjust and calibrate instruments, controls and other mechanical or electrical control devices.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow team members and vendors
• Ability to follow and give instructions (both oral and written) of a technical nature.
• Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Ability to climb, work in high places, work in confined spaces along with heavy lifting and other strenuous activities.

Work Schedule

Monday-Friday 7AM to 3PM

Salary Information

Grade 24

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit a resume, complete the application in full, and provide three (3) professional references (supervisors and/or former supervisors).

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Mar 10 2022 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: