Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Instrumentation Technician
An instrumentation technician is a professional who diagnoses, troubleshoots, repairs, and installs plant electrical and instrument equipment. They carry out routine instrument checks for compliance and reassemble and calibrate instruments to coincide with established procedures. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Instrumentation Technicians.
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Main Responsibilities of Instrumentation Technician
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Instrumentation Technician:
Adhere to
Adhere to the permit to work system while carrying out maintenance activities.
Anticipate
Anticipate and solve complex production / operational problems.
Apply
Apply factory acceptance testing and field inspections.
Assist in
Assist management and engineers with instrumentation estimates and the planning of new work.
Assist in production process improvement as well as new projects.
Assist in the prototyping, and scale-up of production processes.
Assist in the training of new personnel as well as temporary help in the department.
Assist in the validation of equipment, systems and facility to meet cGMP requirements.
Assist management in improving efficiencies throughout the operations.
Assist our staff in photographing the existing condition of buildings and structures.
Assist process maintenance technicians as needed.
Assist with execution of maintenance, automation, validation and additional testing, as required.
Assist with monitoring and testing of instrumentation and control systems.
Assist with specification, storage, quality control, and physical inventory of critical spare parts.
Build
Build a stock schedule and critical spares list.
Build clear and compelling value propositions for all clients.
Calibrate
Calibrate components and instruments.
Calibrate components and instruments according to manufacturers' specifications.
Calibrate, operate, maintain, trouble shoot all instruments.
Calibrate the plant gas analyzer.
Carry out
Carry out preventive maintenance, such as instrument calibration.
Carry out routine instrument checks for compliance and accurate testing results.
Clean
Clean room gowning during performance of job duties.
Clean, lubricate, calibrate and adjust as conditions indicate.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with the plant's snow removal and de-icing efforts in wintertime when required.
Collect
Collect water samples and maintain documentation for NPDES Discharge Monitoring Reporting.
Communicate
Communicate effectively to Operations, and scheduling personnel.
Communicate well and deal professionally with all levels of contacts (internal and external).
Compile
Compile, verify and validate accurate data records.
Complete
Complete assigned required reports.
Complete site GMP requirements in relation to training and site practices.
Comply
Comply with all site rules, work practice, and safety protocols.
Comply with plant's environmental, safety, and health requirements.
Conduct
Conduct calibration of instruments / equipment for compliance and accurate testing results.
Conduct, maintain, test and repair electrical / electronic and pneumatic systems and components.
Conduct preventative maintenance tasks for all electrical equipment and instruments.
Conduct project work / electrical upgrades and monitor contractor project work and upgrades.
Coordinate
Coordinate, execute and communicate progress on daily CSS maintenance activities.
Create
Create and maintains instrument calibration records and files.
Deliver
Deliver new opportunities and business to The Data Shed.
Deploy
Deploy and maintain geotechnical monitoring instruments in field.
Determine
Determine testing and maintenance procedures.
Develop
Develop and review SOPs Research new methodologies and participate in R&D projects.
Develop calibration procedures.
Develop SOPS, and STMs for process / production equipment.
Diagnose
Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, calibrate and install all plant electrical and instrument equipment.
Diligence
Diligence - you understand the importance of doing things right first time.
Document
Document all changes to single lines per documentation control standards.
Document information by maintaining daily logs and equipment record books.
Drive
Drive, motivation and enthusiasm.
Ensure
Ensure production products contain the proper components and quantities.
Ensure that the calibration program is up-to-date, effective and meets the requirements of cGMP.
Ensure that work is performed in accordance with relevant codes.
Ensure work complies with electrical code.
Establish
Establish, document and implement best practice in pre-sales.
Execute
Execute and communicate daily instrumentation maintenance activities.
Execute and document all maintenance activities and the maintenance process.
Execute PM's and WO's with a focus on safety, cGMP compliance and Zero Defects.
Fill out
Fill out purchase requisitions for same.
Follow
Follow all quality control and standard operating procedures.
Follow all SOP and cGMP requirements.
Follow calibration procedures to calibrate all the instruments in the plant calibration program.
Follow occupational health and safety regulations.
Follow through with customer maintenance contract work.
Help
Help in the training of Automation Technician (Instrumentation Apprentice) personnel as required.
Implement
Implement preventative and predictive programs / assignments for instrumentation systems.
Inform
Inform management of any variances or issues.
Inspect
Inspect and test operation of instruments and systems.
Inspect and test instrumentation and system operations to diagnose any faults.
Inspect, test, label and package Instrumentation products.
Install
Install and calibrate instruments used for measurement and control in production.
Install and troubleshoot new and modified equipment.
Install control and measurement instruments on existing and new plant equipment and processes.
Install, inspect, maintain and repair all equipment within the department.
Install, inspect, maintain, and repair all equipment within the department.
Install, maintain, calibrate and repair process and DCS hardware and software.
Install new instrumentation, controls, electrical systems, conduit and electrical circuitry.
Install new measuring instruments.
Install control valves, transmitters and pressure gauges as required.
Install, maintain, and repair plant lighting systems.
Install pneumatic tubing to instruments.
Install, troubleshoot, and repair variable frequency drives.
Install, test, optimize, maintain and troubleshoot customers' instrumentation equipment.
Keep
Keep all work areas clean and neat.
Keep informed of advances in technology and equipment and updates knowledge.
Keep laboratory supplies readily available by inventorying stock.
Lead
Lead and / or participate in continuous improvement activities.
Lead and participate in failure analysis activities related to instrumentation or process control.
Lead others in seeking out ideas and information to improve customer service.
Lift
Lift up to 50 lbs, climb ladders, work at heights to perform job functions as needed.
Maintain
Maintain accurate records for the testing of each instrument.
Maintain a clean and safe workplace.
Maintain a clean, orderly, and safe work environment.
Maintain all codes, laws and regulations through the JLL compliance program.
Maintain and apply design criteria specifications.
Maintain and repairs electrical and instrumentation components, wiring and / or fixtures.
Maintain and routinely tests equipment grounding systems.
Maintain an on-going two-way performance dialogue with assigned manager.
Maintain an up to date cGMP training record.
Maintain calibration equipment.
Maintain cGMP's in the production area.
Maintain equipment histories as required.
Maintain gas and fire detectors, control devices, interlocks, alarms, and shutdown systems.
Maintain GMP training qualifications to ensure site compliancy standards.
Maintain master equipment list for Advanced Analytics work streams.
Maintain quality records of tested instruments.
Maintain regular attendance and punctuality.
Maintain required records, logs and inspection forms.
Maintain safe and clean work environment by disposing of hazardous wastes as needed.
Maintain spare parts inventory of control systems, calibration equipment.
Maintain test equipment used to troubleshoot or configure instruments and electrical equipment.
Maintain, troubleshoots, repairs, and installs motors, starters, and motor control equipment.
Make
Make decisions based on knowledge of electronics.
Make verbal and written reports of work activities.
Map
Map and manage key stakeholders within all assigned clients to provide context to the wider Shed.
Measure
Measure, cut, bend, thread, assemble, and install conduit and cable tray.
Operate
Operate, repair, calibrate and install process control instruments in a highly skilled manner.
Order
Order and maintain spare parts for assigned process equipment.
Oversee
Oversee work performed by outside contractors.
Participate
Participate as a member of offshore emergency response team.
Participate as an integral part of an offshore emergency response team.
Perform
Perform additional duties as directed.
Perform all other maintenance and maintenance-related tasks as directed.
Perform calibration activities in accordance with the CMMS.
Perform calibrations on process and analytical instrumentation.
Perform daily electrical audits.
Perform duties in a safe manner with a focus on Zero Injuries.
Perform electrical wiring as required for electrical instruments.
Perform in a collaborative environment with various trades.
Perform modifications, improvements, and recommendations to existing systems.
Perform non-routine assignments that require application of technology.
Perform other related duties as required.
Perform other related work as required.
Perform other routine duties as assigned.
Perform predictive, planned, preventative and routine maintenance as directed.
Perform predictive, preventive and corrective maintenance activities for GMP equipment.
Perform preventive maintenance (PMs) on critical equipment as scheduled by SAP.
Perform repairs of electrical equipment and preventive maintenance on said electrical equipment.
Perform routine maintenance on systems and equipment as required.
Perform safety checks and inspections in your area of responsibility.
Perform scheduled preventive maintenance work and complete test and maintenance reports.
Perform start up, operation, shut down, and emergency stop of plant if required and safe to do so.
Perform tasks in accordance with planning and scheduling.
Perform visual and auditory inspection of plant.
Plan
Plan and coordinate external calibration services, as required.
Plan jobs, including the assessment and selection of material.
Prepare
Prepare and maintain records and reports as required.
Prepare and maintains a variety of records.
Produce
Produce winning proposals, bids and tender responses.
Provide
Provide accurate forecasts of revenue regularly to the delivery and finance teams.
Provide customer assistance by reporting problems to management.
Provide Customer feedback to management team.
Provide design input for electrical equipment upgrades and project support as needed.
Provide support and assistance to your peers with mechanical tasks where required.
Provide support for students in using software.
Provide support to primary plant operations.
Provide technical and instrumental support to operations.
Provide technical assistance in problem solving on assigned platforms or in area of expertise.
Read
Read and follow equipment schematics, logic diagrams and engineering drawings.
Read and work from P& ID, circuit / loop diagrams, schematics and process drawings.
Reassemble
Reassemble and calibrate instruments to coincide with established procedures.
Rebuild
Rebuild and / or conduct bench repair of small electrical components and maintain parts inventory.
Record
Record findings in logbooks.
Repair
Repair and adjust system components.
Repair, maintain and adjust system components or remove and replace defective parts as required.
Repair or replace worn or broken parts in instruments.
Report
Report all accidents, near misses and hazardous conditions.
Request
Request and track quotes from our suppliers as necessary.
Research
Research sourcing of material / parts / equipment.
Respond
Respond quickly and effectively to problems and breakdowns as requested.
Respond to machine breakdowns due to electrical malfunctions or hardware / software failure.
Review
Review and report results Meet quality assurance and turn around specifications.
Review and update station isometric drawings.
Review electrical reliability on a continual basis and identify improvement opportunities.
Support
Support both local and remote customers.
Support engineering projects to select and install appropriate instrumentation.
Support Project Engineering in the design of new installations.
Support utility metering and related systems.
Train
Train analyst on instrument operation, PM tasks and troubleshooting.
Train operations personnel in the proper use of the equipment.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot and resolve equipment issues in a timely manner utilizing DMAIC techniques.
Troubleshoot immediate electrical issues across multiple lines and support equipment.
Troubleshoot instrumentation devices.
Troubleshoot instrumentation equipment within the chemical manufacturing plant.
Update
Update or develops engineering drawings re control circuitry.
Use
Use necessary test equipment and be able to read and understand schematic diagrams.
Work with
Work alternative shifts that could include graveyard shifts, weekends, holidays.
Work directly with customers to provide technical services.
Work Effectively with others and teams.
Work in liaison with faculty and graduate students.
Work overtime when necessary and work varying shifts, including on-call program.
Work will be primarily outdoors in various weather conditions.
Work with hazardous materials and chemicals.
Work within a team to perform maintenance and troubleshooting activities.
Work with quality team to monitor product quality, improve process yield and reduce waste.
Work with the Purchasing department to resolve procurement issues.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Instrumentation Technician:
Instrumentation
Maintenance
Electronics
OMS utlook
Walking
Bending
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Instrumentation Technician:
Written and oral communication skills
Attention to detail
Problem-solving attitude
Time-management
Interpersonal skills
Analytical ability
