Power Plant Instrument & Controls Technician Apprentice

Power Plant Instrument & Controls Technician Apprentice

**This position could be hired as a journey-level position if the documentation, certificates, outlined training curriculum, and references can be provided to prove journey-level experience 

Please note: This position is part of a formal apprenticeship program within the Instrumentation and Controls trade. As such, pay for this position will begin at $33.77/hour and progress throughout the apprenticeship duration based on the schedule below. A person could be placed in an advanced step within the apprenticeship program based on their previous experience. While an Apprentice at Colorado Springs Utilities, you are not eligible to apply to any other positions at Colorado Springs Utilities.

• Step 1 - $33.77/hr. (1st year)
• Step 2 - $36.03/hr. (1st year)
• Step 3 - $38.28/hr. (2nd year)
• Step 4 - $40.53/hr. (2nd year)
• Step 5 - $42.78/hr. (3rd year)
• Step 6 - $45.03/hr. (3rd year)
• Step 7 - $47.28/hr. (4th year)
• Step 8 - $49.54/hr. (4th year)
• Step 9 - $51.79/hr. (5th year)
• Step 10 - $54.04/hr. (5th year)
• Journey Level Turnout - $56.29/hr.

Our Energy Supply Department is seeking a Power Plant Instrument & Control Technician Apprentice! This is a 5-year paid apprenticeship within the Instrumentation and Controls trade program that will prepare you to install, test, diagnose, maintain, and repair the equipment used to ensure our power plant operates efficiently and effectively. This is an immersive on-the-job learning opportunity for someone who desires to be an expert in their trade! The skills you develop and the experience you gain throughout the apprenticeship will contribute to our ability to maintain our critical power generation assets - and maintain our power plant generation reliability.  

How you will spend your day...

• Installing, testing, repairing, and maintaining a variety of electronic instrumentation for industrial controls, and Distributive Control Systems/Programmable Logic Controllers
• Conducting tests using various diagnostic systems and using specialized test equipment
• Installing, tuning, and calibrating microprocessor-based instrumentation and control system components associated with power plants
• Developing, maintaining, and upgrading various real-time process control computer systems including database management, networking, programming, and configuring of Distributive Control and Programmable Logic Control systems
• Troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing combustion/turbine control systems
• Designing and implementing interfaces from new systems into existing controls

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Subjection to extreme temperatures, odors, dust, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, inadequate lighting, and intense noises
• Exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 20 pounds frequently, and 10 pounds constantly to move objects
• Physical requirements of climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions
• This position is subject to 24-hour call-outs and 24/7 standby based on knowledge and/or training opportunities.

Who You Are:

• High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D.); Associate's Degree in Electronics and Computer Technology or a closely related field is valued
• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver's license
• Relevant experience with mechanical or electrical equipment and systems is valued
• Knowledge in any of electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics, and electrical principles and theories is valued
• Familiarity with calibrating electronic instrumentation is valued (e.g., transmitters, valve positioners, analyzers)
• The ability to use electronic diagnostic equipment is valued (e.g., digital volt communicators, HART communicators, signal generators)
• Basic knowledge of mathematics, algebra, and trigonometry is valued
• Successful candidates will be self-directed and motivated to advance through the program by obtaining the required knowledge, on-the-job training, scheduling evaluations, and passing the written testing requirements along the way

This position is associated with a certified Department of Labor Instrument and Controls apprenticeship program. The employee will be required to complete the apprentice program within a 5-year time frame successfully.  Previous Power Plant Apprentice training pay can be adjusted based on experience/certifications.

Who We Are…
Colorado Springs Utilities offers a 100-year reputation for providing electric, natural gas, water, and wastewater services to the Pikes Peak Region.  As a municipal utility, our mission is to provide safe, reliable, and competitively priced utilities to our customers. Our organizational values of Safety, People, Trust, Responsibility, Collaboration, and Continuous Improvement, serve as our guiding principles and are the foundation of our culture.  

Our Commitment to Our Employees…
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We don't just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave –3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for purchase to support extended care needs

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250 annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness