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