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Control Engineer Series

Control Engineer Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established April 1, 1996

Scope

This series specification describes five Control Engineer classes used to perform a broad range of engineering work, from moderate to extremely complex and difficult, relative to the control systems used to operate statewide water facilities for pumping, power generation, and water conveyance.

 

Control Engineer Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Schem CodeClass CodeClass
HQ503660Control Engineer (Abolished 01/07/2016 per Pay Letter 16-05)
HQ453659Associate Control Engineer
HQ423652Senior Control Engineer (Specialist)
HQ403658Senior Control Engineer (Supervisor)
HQ353686Supervising Control Engineer

Definition of Series

Classes in this series perform a broad range of staff and management work related to the operation and maintenance of statewide water facilities automated control systems.

 

Incumbents investigate and analyze the performance and operation of the water facilities and the existing systems to: diagnose causes of malfunctions and make modifications to prevent their recurrence; improve the efficiency; add or modify features and functions requested; provide maintenance documentation, procedures and training; develop plans, specifications, and economic justification for new systems and upgrades; and do other related work.

Entry Level

Entry into this series is typically through the class of Control Engineer, Range A.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Position allocation is based on scope of responsibility, complexity of work, independence of action, supervisory responsibilities, impact of decision making and consequence of error.

Definition of Levels

Control Engineer

This is the entry and first working level in the series. Under close supervision, incumbents at the entry level, initially perform the less complex professional control system work. Incumbents assist in conducting technical engineering studies related to the development of automatic, computerized control systems; assist in the design and preparation of plans and technical specifications of the least complex features of a control system; assist in engineering tests of control system equipment to determine conformance with operational standards. Incumbents that progress to the first working level, work under supervision, perform control system work of average difficulty, assist in conducting technical engineering studies related to the development of automatic, computerized control systems; assist in the design and preparation of plans and technical specifications of the less complex features of a control system; conduct engineering tests of control system equipment to determine conformance with operational standards, design plans and specifications; assist in the preparation of testing, operation and maintenance procedures, manuals and training programs; advise, assist and instruct operating and maintenance personnel in matters pertaining to automatic control systems.

Associate Control Engineer

This is the full journey level. Under direction, incumbents conduct technical engineering studies related to the development of an automatic, computerized control system; assist in the design and preparation of plans and technical specifications of complex features of control systems; perform difficult engineering analysis of equipment for conformance with operational standards, design plans and specifications; conduct process computer evaluation and software modifications; assist in the design of operational logic; prepare testing, operation and maintenance procedures, manuals and training programs; direct simulated operational malfunctions and prepare preliminary design and program modifications; advise, assist and instruct operating and maintenance personnel in matters pertaining to automatic control systems; direct and assist technical personnel in performance of assigned tasks and prepare reports on projects.

Senior Control Engineer (Specialist)

This is the nonsupervising staff specialist level. Under general direction, incumbents independently conduct extremely difficult and complex engineering analyses in connection with the planning, development, application, operation, software modification, maintenance and evaluation of statewide water facilities control systems. As a project engineer, incumbents may be given nonadministrative charge of a technical group or act as resident engineer on large or unique projects. Assignments require a high level of specialized, technical control systems expertise. Assignments may involve significant cost or safety issues, severe system problems, and interaction with other government agencies or with private contractors. Incumbents provide recommendations and consultation to headquarters staff and field maintenance personnel.

Senior Control Engineer (Supervisor)

This is the first supervisory level of the class series. Under general direction, incumbents supervise a staff of engineers and technicians. Incumbents plan, organize and direct major technical engineering studies to determine control requirements and develop an automatic, computerized, control system to remotely operate and optimize operation of statewide water facilities; participate in the design and preparation of plans and technical specifications of the more complex features of the control systems used in the statewide water facilities; direct process computer evaluation and selection studies, involving analysis of logic information flow, input-output and interface equipment, maintenance procedures and diagnostic programs and make appropriate recommendations; has charge of the design of operational logic and coordinates and directs programming of process computers; perform the more difficult engineering analysis and direct the engineering analysis of data from field tests and plant operation of control system equipment and installations for conformance with operational standards, design plans and specifications; review and recommend operation, maintenance and testing procedures, manuals and training programs; plan and review simulated operations malfunctions and recommend the necessary design and program modification; review cost estimates of control system and instrumentation equipment; maintain contact with manufacturers and keep abreast of the availability of materials and equipment as well as current developments in the field; prepare technical reports and dictate correspondence. Advise management on complex statewide water facilities control system projects and represent the department(s) on technical matters, related to the statewide water facilities control systems. Administrative responsibilities include staff management, planning and budgeting.

Supervising Control Engineer

This is the second supervisory level. Under general direction, incumbents supervise the work of a staff engaged in one or more of the following: conducting major technical engineering studies related to the development of an automatic, computerized control system to remotely operate and optimize the operations of the statewide water facilities; consulting in the design and preparation of plans and technical specification of the more complex features of the control systems for the statewide water facilities; conducting evaluation and selection studies of equipment including process computers, computer peripherals, data communications, specialized interface equipment, transducers, and signal conditioners; designing operational logic and programming process computers; performing engineering analysis of equipment to insure conformance with operation standards, design plans and specifications; preparing testing and operating procedures and establishing uniform maintenance procedures including manuals and training programs; providing systems and/or equipment reliability studies; analyzing trouble areas and providing technical assistance for the repair and maintenance of control system equipment; designing hardware and software modifications; reviewing cost estimates of control and data acquisition systems and instrumentation equipment; perform staff review on budgets, manpower, equipment requests and contacts. Incumbents provide expert advice to top management on critical and complex statewide water facilities control system issues and other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Graduation from a four-year college curriculum with major work in electrical, electronic or computer engineering. Progressively responsible engineering experience on control system equipment comparable to that of the statewide water facilities, may be substituted for a college education on a year-for-year basis.

Control Engineer

Education as indicated above. (Registration as a "senior" in such a curriculum will admit an applicant to the competition, but he/she must produce evidence of graduation before he/she will be considered eligible for appointment.)

Associate Control Engineer

Either I

 

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Control Engineer, Range B.

Or II

 

Three years of professional control system, electronic or computer engineering experience in the field of control or process systems, including at least two years in the design, development and application of control systems utilizing complex electronic circuitry, combinations of electronic, electro-mechanical and hydraulic equipment, digital logic techniques, data transmission and interface equipment, at a level of responsibility comparable to that of a Control Engineer, Range B.

Senior Control Engineer (Specialist)

Either I

 

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Associate Control Engineer.

Or II

 

Five years of professional control system, electrical, electronic or computer engineering experience, including at least two years in the design, development and application of control systems utilizing complex electronic circuitry, combinations of electronic, electro-mechanical and hydraulic equipment, digital logic techniques, data transmission and interface equipment at a level of responsibility comparable to that of an Associate Control Engineer.

Senior Control Engineer (Supervisor)

Either I

 

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Associate Control Engineer.

Or II

 

Five years of professional control system, electrical, electronic or computer engineering experience, including at least two years in the design, development and application of control systems utilizing complex electronic circuitry, combinations of electronic, electro-mechanical and hydraulic equipment, digital logic techniques, data transmission and interface equipment at a level of responsibility comparable to that of an Associate Control Engineer.

Supervising Control Engineer

Either I

 

Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Senior Control Engineer (Specialist) or Senior Control Engineer (Supervisor).

Or II

 

Five years of progressively responsible control system engineering experience in the development, application and maintenance of control systems utilizing complex electronic circuitry including computer systems, electronic, electro-mechanical and hydraulic equipment, digital logic techniques, data transmission and interface equipment. Two years of the above experience must be at a level of responsibility comparable to that of a Senior Control Engineer (Specialist) or Senior Control Engineer (Supervisor).

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Engineering theory and practices, terminology and trends in control systems engineering, supervisory control and data acquisition of dynamic systems for industrial processes including: dynamic stability, feedback loops, economic and failure analyses, data handling, interfacing, digital logic, computer use and programming, designing, developing, testing, optimizing, maintenance, and modification of control systems similar to those used on the statewide water facilities.

 

Ability to: Analyze control requirements for flow processes; design and develop control systems, determine operation criteria and select equipment; integrate control systems with communication systems, develop and maintain software, develop test and maintenance procedures and interpret plans and specifications; maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work, and prepare clear and concise reports.

Senior Control Engineer (Specialist)

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, a high level of expertise in at least one major area of control work such as: system network design, software development or management, control strategy design, energy management system, artificial intelligence.

Senior Control Engineer (Supervisor)

Supervising Control Engineer

Knowledge of: In addition to the above, principles and practices of effective supervision, management, organization, budgeting; the Department's Equal Employment Opportunity policies and procedures, and the State's collective bargaining system.

 

Ability to: In addition to the above, plan, organize, and direct the work of an engineering and technical staff; prepare comprehensive reports and correspondence; establish and maintain effective and cooperative public relations with participating representatives of contracting organizations and other government entities.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

Associate and Above:

Possession of a certificate of registration as an Electrical or Control System Engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers.

Class History

Control Engineer Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
ClassDate EstablishedDate RevisedTitle Changed
Control Engineer06/01/196704/01/199604/01/1996
Associate Control Engineer06/01/196704/01/199604/01/1996
Senior Control Engineer (Specialist)04/01/1996----
Senior Control Engineer (Supervisor)06/01/196704/01/199604/01/1996
Supervising Control Engineer05/18/197604/01/199604/01/1996
  Updated: 2/24/2016
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