Abolished 10/07

INSTRUMENT MAKER

8353C3

Pay Grade: 21

DEFINITION OF WORK

Summary

This is journey-level work in the design and fabrication of delicate scientific apparatus requiring precision, accuracy, and adherence to very close tolerances.

Standard Classification Factors

Supervision Received - LEVEL C: "Under direction..." Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a superior for advice. Work is normally periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements.

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 D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple, unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level experience a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consulting with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation.

Consequences of Actions and 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 B: The purpose of the contact is to plan, coordinate and advise on work efforts, interpret guidelines or instructions, elicit opinions or give guidance on the basis of facts to resolve common issues or problems when the information is not sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are working toward mutual goals and have basically cooperative attitudes. Well developed 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 Machinist class where the work involves skilled machinist work in a conventional machine shop.

Differs from the Research Laboratory Shop Supervisor class where the work involves management and supervision of a research laboratory shop.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Designs, fabricates, installs, maintains, and repairs new or unique scientific laboratory devices, components and precision instruments requiring highly skilled work, and extreme accuracy and close tolerances using varying techniques. The instruments are used in a wide variety of experiments which relate to heat, sound, lighting, electricity or other media. Consults with faculty, staff, and graduate students to determine needs. Recommends appropriate designs, materials and procedures.

Tests and debugs prototypes and finished assemblies. Installs custom-fabricated, rebuilt, and purchased equipment. Modifies purchased and existing equipment to meet experimental needs. Troubleshoots and diagnoses equipment failure and prescribes and makes necessary repairs or modifications.

Designs and fabricates specialized tooling, holding fixtures and unique assembly tools.

Sets up machines to ensure that concentricity, parallelism, and angular displacement are within specific tolerances.

Fabricates new or unique scientific laboratory devices, components and precision instruments which may involve mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic or optical devices or components, robotics manipulators and computer integrated manufacturing tooling from high and low alloy steels, cast iron, brass, aluminum and exotic metal alloys, plexiglas, plastics, glass and wood requiring cutting, machining, drilling, forming, brazing, welding, soldering, gluing, threading, and assembling.

Trains and oversees employees when in the shop or laboratory area. Trains and oversees graduate students using the shop for classroom and research projects. Ensures the safety of all workers in the shop area.

Maintains inventory of equipment, machinery, parts, and supplies.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS

Knowledge

*Knowledge of the tools, materials, methods, and techniques of the machinist trade.

*Knowledge of metals, plastics, glass, and specialized alloys, including their characteristics.

*Knowledge of welding, brazing, and soldering and the qualities of materials used.

*Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the machinist trade.

Abilities

*Ability to design delicate scientific apparatus from verbal instructions and rough sketches.

*Ability to maintain close tolerance precision work from oral or written instructions, sketches, blueprints, and models.

*Ability to interact effectively with faculty and graduate students.

*Ability to use the precision tools and equipment common to the machinist trade.

*Ability to interact effectively with faculty, staff, graduate students, and student employees.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Three years of experience in manufacturing precision parts and/or equipment, and analyzing drawings or rough sketches to fabricate equipment. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.

NC:   06/93
REV: 12/95
REV: 11/96
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 08/05