Automation and Electrical Technician

Summary: 

Supports and coordinates installation and repair of Heartland Automation projects by performing the following duties onsite or remotely. This role requires strong foundational knowledge of industrial electrical systems and hands-on experience in electrical troubleshooting to ensure automation hardware is integrated safely and effectively with facility power systems.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:   

• Assemble, install and maintain specialized automation systems, including grain conditioning systems, hazard monitoring systems, fuel inventory systems, agronomy systems, associated software, and other Heartland projects as requested.
• Install, wire, and maintain specialized automation hardware, including control panels, sensors, and communication equipment—while performing electrical troubleshooting and deploying software/OS upgrades to ensure systems (such as fuel inventory and agronomy) operate safely and meet basic NEC guidelines.
• Ability to coordinate with corporate vendors including electricians, hardware and software providers and any other third-party company.
• Effectively provide remote technical support to users via phone, minimizing the need for unnecessary travel to field locations.
• Trains users on basic software and equipment usage.
• Responds to the needs and questions of users concerning their access to resources on the network and the basic operation of various HAP programs.
• Communicate with internal departments to diagnose, report and resolve software, hardware, and operations problems.
• Consults with department managers to develop system solutions consistent with organizational objectives.
• Required travel, up to 90% of the time, to various field locations to support and coordinate installation and repair of projects.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and commercial insurability at all times.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by management.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently required to climb multiple flights of stairs and ladders to work at heights and in confined spaces (such as grain bins and elevators). The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to climb stairs and ladders; stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Lift Level: Medium

Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information, designs workflows and procedures.
• Design - Translates concepts and information into images; demonstrates attention to detail.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; develops alternative solutions; works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Technical Skills - Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills, shares expertise with others.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; responds promptly to customer needs; responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills.
• Written Communication - Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively.
• Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance

Qualifications:

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.

Education/Experience:

Associate's degree (A.A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school in a related field; OR 3–5 years of hands-on experience in industrial electrical work, including wiring, control panels, and interpreting electrical schematics.

Proven ability to troubleshoot 120V/240V and low-voltage DC circuits common in automation.

Language Ability:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Math Ability:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.  Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phases.  Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, basic PC and network communication troubleshooting techniques, basic PC, an overall ability to solve problems with little need for assistance.

Certificates and Licenses:

Must maintain a valid driver's license and commercial insurability at all times.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.