CLASS SPECIFICATION
W E L D E R
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is journey level work welding metals and alloys. Contacts generally are
limited to County employees and exchanging work information, but may include
some contacts with vendors and manufacturers. This class of work may entail
some public service/assistance, but it is incidental to the primary purpose
of the work.
Employees in this class install, assemble, repair, modify, rebuild or fabricate
various types of metal and alloy parts, equipment and structures by oxyacetylene
and electric arc welding and secure implements and attachments to vehicles and
primary equipment by bolting, screwing and otherwise affixing them. Employees
may also perform preventive maintenance checks and services on vehicles and
equipment or assist in some limited automotive mechanic work, as required. Work
assignments are received through work orders, specifications, blueprints, sketches
or drawings from which the employee is expected to plan and lay out work. Employees
are expected to plan and lay out the work, determine the welding techniques
to use and select the proper materials. Work is typically accomplished with
little or no in-progress check. Finished products may be spot-checked to see
that completed welds are free from cracks, slag, or other defects, and meet
specifications and accepted trade standards. Complexity of the work is marked
by identifying the work to be done, laying out the work, selecting the materials,
equipment and techniques to use, performing the work (which may include use
of all positions - flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead), and assuring that
it meets requirements. Impact of properly performed work helps assure the operational
readiness, reliability and durability of the County's vehicle fleet and equipment.
The work involves standing, walking, stooping, bending, kneeling, climbing and
crouching, moving and using heavy objects, and may be done in awkward or cramped
positions such as when welding in hard to reach places. Employees frequently
handle objects of varying weight (including 50 pounds or more) and dimension
in setting up work and equipment and completing assignments. Work is performed
indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. There is continuing exposure to
dirt, grease, fumes, chemical irritants and smoky conditions. Welding operations
expose the employees to welding gas fumes, infrared and ultraviolet radiation,
heat, flying sparks, and the glare of torches and heated materials. Some discomfort
may be experienced when wearing protective clothing, gloves and either flash
shield or eye goggles.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative only)
Identifies the work to be done and the steps needed, plans and lays out the
work, selects proper materials, and applies effective welding techniques.
Applies accepted trade practices and a variety of manual welding processes to
weld all types of commonly used metals and alloys of various sizes, shapes and
thicknesses, including dissimilar metals (such as copper to steel), and makes
welds in all positions, as needed - flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead.
Performs mechanical maintenance work on sanders, plows, leafing machines and
other types of equipment, including buses; this includes but is not limited
to disassembling part of a vehicle to get to a welding job (such as taking the
wheels off a vehicle or pulling an exhaust system), installing an auxiliary
or replacement part (by bolting, screwing or otherwise affixing it), or performing
work on the hydraulics of a snow plow or a sander.
Devises special jigs and fixtures to hold the parts to be welded, and uses techniques
such as preheating, heat sinks and stress relieving to maintain specified dimensions
and to prevent distortion or burning of the parts to be welded.
Performs work operations incidental to welding duties, such as brazing, soldering,
flame and arc-cutting, surface hardening, and grinding.
Customizes and fabricates modifications to heavy equipment and public safety
vehicles.
Fabricates brackets, braces, grates and similar metal shapes.
Assembles and installs replacement parts and sections on construction and automotive
equipment.
Maintains tools and equipment in good operating order and ensures that work
area is kept clean and orderly.
Assembles and installs replacement parts.
Orders and maintains a stock of welding supplies. May modify frames and other
vehicle body parts.
Works in machine shop with machine tools and rebuilds or fabricates parts and
materials needed for repair work.
Drives to and from work locations.
Maintains records and makes reports of work accomplished and materials used,
using the FASTER database.
May help train apprentices or other employees in the skills of the trade.
May help train new employees after hire. Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion
recognized in the State of Maryland.
Experience: Completion of a recognized apprentice welder program.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may
be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Considerable knowledge of the standard practices, methods, tools and materials
common to the welding trade, and skill in oxyacetylene and electric arc welding.
Considerable knowledge of metals, their composition and properties, and how
metals and alloys react to different welding techniques.
Knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the trade.
Knowledge of the construction and assembly of diversified automotive equipment,
including trucks, buses and construction equipment and sufficient mechanical
skill to disassemble (and later reassemble) equipment to access work objects
and secure implements and attachments to vehicles and primary equipment by bolting,
screwing and otherwise affixing them.
Skill in the use of the hand and power tools and equipment associated with the
welding trade.
Skill to apply a variety of manual welding processes to make difficult welds
that must meet close tolerance, strength, evenness of fit and smoothness of
contour requirements.
Skill in problem solving to select, organize and logically process relevant
information to solve a problem. This includes skill in planning and laying out
work and in interpreting blueprints and specifications.
Skill in oral communication to understand work-related verbal information and
to express such information verbally so that others will understand.
Skill in written information to understand work-related written information
and to express such information in writing so that others will understand.
Ability to frequently lift, carry or otherwise move objects that weigh up to
50 pounds and occasionally to move objects that weigh up to 100 pounds.
Ability to work overhead or in stretched, cramped, awkward, and tiring and uncomfortable
positions.
Ability and willingness to work inside, outdoors and off-site as necessary.
Ability and willingness to wear and use personal protective clothing and equipment
when
exposed to dust, fumes and other irritants to eyes, nose, ears and respiratory
system.
LICENSE:
At Time of Employment Application: Possession of a valid current Class
"C" (or equivalent) motor vehicle operator's license from applicant's
state of residence.
First Day of County Employment: Possession of either a Class "A"
or "B" Commercial Driver's License with Passenger and Air Brake Endorsement,
or an Instructional Permit for a Class "A" or "B" Commercial
Driver's License with Passenger and Air Brake Endorsement, issued by applicant's
state of residence.
Upon Completion of Probationary Period: Possession of a Class "A"
or "B" Commercial Driver's License with Passenger and Air Brake endorsement
from employee's state of residence; Federal Environmental Protection Agency
Air Conditioning Certification (Clean Air Act, 1990, Section 608 and 609) appropriate
to the equipment serviced/inspected; and OSHA compliance for forklift operation
and training certification.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a
probationary period of six months, during which time performance will be carefully
evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful completion
of the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Core Exam II
Class Established: February, 1966
Revised: November, 1973
December, 1984
May, 1991 (M)
February, 2005(M)
March, 2005
August, 2009 (M)
April, 2010