CLASS SPECIFICATION

PRINTING TECHNICIAN III*

DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is full scope journey level craft work. Incumbents are proficient in operating offset printing presses, computerized copiers, and specialized multi-function networked digital printers, as well as various cutting, bindery, and packaging machinery to produce all types of printed materials. Personal contacts are with other unit staff to coordinate work processes and to mentor lesser skilled employees; with supervisory personnel to receive and exchange work information; with equipment service contractors to coordinate repairs and validate the satisfactory completion of work; as well as with various levels of County employees to provide technical guidance and advice on print work. Employees in this class do not provide direct service or assistance to the public.
Employees in this class are proficient in operating all types of printing equipment and independently execute difficult and multifaceted printing assignments, as well as mentor and provide general work guidance to entry level and limited scope full performance level printing technicians. The work is performed under the supervision of a Print Shop Manager and involves a broad variety of processes and methodologies which are well defined, but require the application of judgment to identify and apply applicable guides to specific situations. Employees are expected to resolve issues with work requestors concerning the final output, referring only the most extraordinary deviations to the supervisor. Completed work is reviewed for adequacy, soundness, quality, quantity and timely disposition of requested services. The complexity of the work emanates from the broad diversity of print media that is produced, as well the variety of processes and methodologies employed to produce those materials. The work is performed in a print shop environment which results in exposure to occasional hazards in the form of moving machinery, chemicals, paper dust and moderate noise levels. Employees must frequently lift and move boxes of paper and other materials and are required to stand for long periods of time.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Receives and processes print media data which may be in the form of email, compact disk, paper copy, or on-line formats.
Edits complex documents prior to printing by merging, inserting photos and graphics, resizing documents, and arranges pagination, which may require the editing or creation of variable data files to be merged at print time with print documents using specialized software.
Works with the graphics and document design staff formatting/finalizing complex and multi-part documents for printing.
Tracks and archives documents for reprint or reuse at a later date, where content may need to be updated, or minor changes made to reach a different target group.
Maintains records on scheduling, production and quality control.
Assists in coordinating work distribution, provides general guidance, and inspects finished work outputs of lesser skilled Printing Technicians.
Assists in training lesser experienced employees in the use of all types of printing equipment including offset presses, computerized copiers, multi-function networked digital printers, collating, cutting, and bindery equipment.
Provides customer service to staff/departments who use printing services, which includes information regarding printing concepts and alternatives, including flexible scheduling and/or overtime, that may enhance the product and/or reduce cost and/or impact on the completion times.
Resolves difficult production problems.
Receives and evaluates work requests; makes changes to work requests after consultation with representative of requesting agency.
Selects proper materials, supplies and equipment to obtain best results.
Sets up, adjusts, operates and performs maintenance and routine repairs on all printing, copying (including architectural drawing copier), collating, sequence numbering, electronic cutting, and bindery equipment.
Operates, cleans, adjusts and makes repairs to a camera plate system which produces film negatives and high quality polyester plates; burns and develops metal plates; and strips negatives.
Cleans and lubricates presses, mixes and dilutes inks and chemicals, regulates flow of ink to rollers, and adjusts water and ink rollers for proper operation.
Checks paper stock deliveries and advises immediate supervisor of special paper stock and printing supply requirements.
Coordinates maintenance/repair of assigned equipment.
Boxes and wraps finished work for delivery.
Receives/checks delivery of requested supplies from vendors and maintains prescribed levels of paper, inks and other supplies.
Insures that work and storage areas are clean and orderly and maintains safe working conditions and work habits.
Occasionally directs the operation of a satellite printing operation.
Assumes limited supervisory responsibilities during periods of absence of immediate supervisor.
Occasionally participates in employment interviews in the capacity of a selection committee member.
Evaluates and provides recommendations regarding new equipment.
Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Four years (4 years) of journey level experience in the printing and bindery trade, to include a minimum of one year of experience operating and maintaining high speed xerographic digital imaging and mainframe digital printing equipment.
Education: Completion of high school or High School Certificate of completion recognized in the State of Maryland.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Thorough knowledge of the operating procedures, characteristics, capabilities and limitations of offset printing presses, bindery equipment, and camera plate systems, including properties and characteristics of paper, inks, negatives and metal plates.
Thorough knowledge of the operating procedures, characteristics, capabilities and limitations of xerographic digital imaging, and mainframe digital printing equipment.
Thorough knowledge of the operating procedures of cutting and bindery equipment.
Knowledge of the maintenance and support techniques for offset printing, digital and electronic printing/copying equipment.
Knowledge of the mechanical and chemical principles, methods and techniques including electronics, multi-color theory, and physical characteristics for printing processes.
Ability to independently set up, operate, adjust and perform routine maintenance on all print shop equipment.
Ability to scan, convert, and post data files onto the internet.
Ability to accurately perform arithmetic computations and mathematical percentages, weights, and measures germane to printing, copying, and bindery work.
Ability to operate and maintain offset printing presses and high speed xerographic imaging and mainframe digital printing equipment.
Ability to estimate required time and materials.
Ability to perform all data entry functions required for operation of computerized multi-function copy machines and digital printers.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with internal staff and users of services.
Ability to meet scheduling commitments.
Ability to independently lift, push and pull heavy boxes, bundles of paper and other supplies occasionally weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to attend meetings or perform other assignments at locations outside the office.

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 to include Spirometry testing and Urine Drug Screen.

Class Established: January, 1977
Revised: May, 1987
November, 1994 (M)
October 2004(M)**
April, 2010
September, 2012

*Budget Level
**Class Formerly Titled Printer II