Abolished 10/07

METROLOGIST

8355C3

Pay Grade: 24

DEFINITION OF WORK

Summary

This is advanced technical work in the operation of the State Metrology Laboratory and administrative work assisting in the direction of a statewide weights and measuring program.

Work involves responsibility for operating and maintaining complete records of testing activities of the State Metrology Laboratory, developing new testing methods for new and/or high precision weighing and measuring devices, serving as the state specialist in metrological testing, and calibrating methods and techniques. An employee in this class also participates in conducting training sessions in the use of weighing and measuring standards.

Standard Classification Factors

Supervision Received - LEVEL D: "Under general direction..." Employees at this level are usually in charge of a large and important organizational unit. They plan and carry out assignments with little supervision. They report regularly to a superior, usually by means of occasional conferences, to discuss work progress or new problems which require advice from above. This designation will pertain to classes with a high order of independence.

Difficulty - LEVEL D: Unusual - The type of position which requires the exercise of unusual managerial, administrative, or scientific skill often involving several unrelated activities, frequent decisions, meeting of deadlines, negotiations with other high level functionaries, and planning, organizing, developing and coordinating large scale work projects requiring an unusual amount of concentration and analytic ability or unusually difficult engineering or scientific research or development or both.

Complexity - LEVEL E: Work is of a highly diverse and/or complex nature characterized by a broad range of activities and frequently changing conditions, situations and problems. Considerable analytical thought is necessary for interpreting a variety of factors, problems and alternatives for methods and procedures. Work requires the origination of ideas, techniques and programs for solving technical problems or complicated situations. Workers at this level experience a high degree of responsibility for independent judgment and may participate in major program changes or policy decisions. Work may be reviewed by occasional conferences or reports to superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are normally characterized by regulations, policies or complex technical manuals.

Consequences of Actions and Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.

Contacts - LEVEL C: The purpose of the contact is to influence, motivate, conduct interviews, make formal presentations or counsel to achieve common understanding or solutions to problems when the information is sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are skeptical or uncooperative. Communication techniques and well developed communication skills become an important requirement at this level.

Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area.

Environmental Conditions - LEVEL B: The work environment involves moderate hazards, risks or discomforts. Exposure to minor deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is normal. Minor to serious injuries are possible.

Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL C: This level involves both functional and administrative supervision. As a "first line supervisor" primary responsibility involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating employees who perform the same or similar work. Responsible for recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority. As a "project manager" may direct the activities of project leaders to develop plans and criteria and to evaluate progress and results for one or more projects.

Distinguishing Features

Differs from the Research Instrumentation Technician class which does not develop methods for testing new equipment/standards and does not perform administrative work.

Differs from the Laboratory Research Technologist class which requires a knowledge of applied electronics and cryogenic fluids.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Operates the State Metrology Laboratory; maintains accurate and complete records of laboratory testing activities.

Calibrates, by comparison with state standards, all devices and standards used in measuring mass, volume, length, frequency and time by private industries and governmental agencies.

Certifies the accuracy of standards in accordance with National Bureau of Standards tolerances.

Develops new methods for testing and calibrating specialized and/or high precision measuring and weighing devices.

Participates in the training of field inspectors and technical personnel of local weights and measures offices in testing and calibrating procedures and techniques and in the care and maintenance of testing equipment.

Advises technical personnel of private industries and governmental agencies when problems occur in relation to quality control or the proper use of weighing and measuring standards.

Assists supervisor in preparing the budget and annual report, reviewing reports of the field inspectors, and approving and condemning weighing and measuring devices.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge

*Knowledge of calibration methods, techniques, and instruments.

*Knowledge of the principles and practices of metrology as applied to mass, length, volume, frequency, and time measurement.

*Knowledge of the metric system.

Knowledge of the principles and techniques of supervision.

Abilities

*Ability to develop methods for testing new equipment and standards.

*Ability to measure with precision and maintain necessary strict tolerance standards.

*Ability to maintain complete and accurate records.

*Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

*Ability to supervise.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Three years of experience in metrology.  Education in metrology 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