PRINTER SPECIALIST3793N1 Pay Grade: 20 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is highly skilled printing work in the operation of equipment used in pre-press preparation or printing press operation or bookbinding in a large printing plant. Work is performed under general supervision of print shop supervisor. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL B: "Under general supervision…" Employees working under general supervision usually receive some instructions with respect to the details of most assignments but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and subject to only periodic checks. Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average… Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL C: Work is of a standardized nature that may involve a variety of duties. Analytical thought becomes more important at this level due to increased data and changing situations. Tasks usually have several steps, some of which may not be directly related. Alternatives may exist for processes or methods to be used in solving problems. Workers at this level exercise a moderate amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by routine review and reporting to or consultation with supervisors. When guidelines exist at this level, they tend to be more complicated or technical in nature requiring careful interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL C: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are limited in scope and effect as the work is reviewed occasionally. Errors may cause moderate inefficiency. Costs due to errors may be significant. Contacts - LEVEL A: The purpose of the contact is to obtain, clarify, give or screen established factual information, regardless of the type (i.e., easily understood or technical) within a well-defined relationship. Normal communication skills are required. Physical Demands - LEVEL C: The work requires moderate physical exertion. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL B: Involves functional leadership responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the evaluation of work performance. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Printer Senior class which provides for the operation of small and less complicated equipment and may require fewer steps or processes used in the printing trades, and also performs skilled bindery work. Differs from the Print Shop Supervisor class which is supervisory and training in nature. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Pre-press Preparation: Writes and corrects original formats for inputting typesetting commands to computerized photocomposition system. Operates tape-generating video display terminal, paper tape punches with line printers, and computerized composition devices, for the purpose of inputting and editing material into the composer. Operates computerized photocomposition equipment, producing type on photo sensitive paper or film; operates automatic film processor. Operates process camera, makes adjustments to expose light-sensitive film. Mixes and loads chemicals into processor and develops line and halftone negatives. Operates/maintains exposure frame, plate coater and automated plate processor. Masks and strips negatives. Operates platemaker and develops plates. Determines density of pictures using densitometer to set the exposure control to shoot screened negatives on the camera. Determines special treatment such as outlining or postering copy and special treatment for copy which is washed out, dark or blacking in detail. Keeps inventory and performs other darkroom duties such as duplicate negatives, contact prints, reverse negatives and prints, choke and swell negatives or prints. Examines materials and determines process necessary for its reproduction. Makes photo transfer prints from artwork and type that needs to be reduced or enlarged. Produces metal printing plates from negative flats to reproduce graphic materials. Prepares paste-up mechanical for camera and offset printing using phototype and various graphic art components. Makes blueline and color key proofs. Does color-separation work involving changing color transparencies and prints into two-color or four-color process screened negatives. Pressroom: Sets up and operates a variety of offset and letter presses to produce larger more complicated printed materials requiring close registry or multi-color. Sets up and operates multiple operator presses. Sets up and operates multiple head presses producing up to four color work. Loads stock, counts plates, cleans blankets, washes rollers, jogs signatures and paper, mixes ink and water. Cleans equipment after jobs are completed; performs daily maintenance; repairs presses and related equipment. Operates total press (ink system) copy center including collator and master maker. Makes own plates onto printing press and prints on either side of paper using up to four colors. Bindery: Sets up, operates and maintains the full array of bindery equipment in a large printing plant. In all areas: May function as a lead worker in any work area, providing training and guidance to lower level and less experienced printers. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of the standard practices, materials, processes, and equipment used in composing and press operation. *Knowledge of the occupational hazards and the resulting safety precautions of the trade. *Knowledge of standard English, spelling, punctuation and grammar. Abilities *Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. *Ability to solve arithmetic problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages and proportions. *Ability to operate assigned equipment and to perform the necessary processes to produce the required work product to given specifications and standards. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Three years of experience in the printing trade. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency. NC: 12/87 |