CLASS SPECIFICATION

PRINTING TECHNICIAN I

DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is entry level craft work operating offset printing presses; or digital imaging equipment; or mainframe digital printing equipment and various cutting, bindery, and packaging machinery to produce various types of printed materials. Personal contacts are with other unit staff to coordinate work processes; with supervisory personnel to receive and exchange work information; as well as with various levels of County employees to provide standardized guidance on print work. Employees in this class do not provide direct service or assistance to the public.
Employees in this class are capable of operating various types of printing equipment and receive considerable supervision and guidance in completing non-routine work assignments. The work is performed under the direction of a Print Shop Manager and involves a variety of processes and methodologies which are well defined, but require the application of judgment to identify and apply applicable guides to specific situations. Significant deviations are referred 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 varied processes and methodologies employed in producing the finished printed 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 printing work requests and makes changes only after appropriate consultation, selects proper paper stocks and printing supplies.
Operates and maintains equipment such as: xerographic imaging equipment; or mainframe digital printing equipment; or offset printing presses, and various other cutting/bindery equipment.
Edits routine documents prior to printing by merging, inserting photos and graphics, resizing documents, and arranging pagination, which may require the editing or creation of variable data fields to be merged at print time with print documents using specialized software.
Resolves routine production problems.
Assists in coordinating maintenance/repair of assigned equipment.
Tracks and archives documents for reprint or reuse at a later date, where content may need to be updated, or minor changes are made to reach a different target group.
Records and reports time and material data on jobs completed.
Mixes inks to obtain proper color for printing.
Checks paper stock deliveries and advises immediate supervisor of special paper stock and printing supply requirements.
Organizes and assembles printing jobs.
Occasionally proofreads printing jobs for typos and other discrepancies.
Boxes and wraps finished work for delivery.
Runs special stocks such as index cards, postcards and envelopes.
Performs related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Successful completion of either a recognized vocational or apprenticeship training program in printing and bindery operations, or one year of experience in the printing field.
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:
Basic knowledge of the characteristics, capabilities and limitations of offset printing equipment; or xerographic digital imaging equipment; or digital printers; or camera plate systems, including properties and characteristics of paper, inks, negative and metal plates.
Knowledge of the mechanical and chemical principles, methods and techniques, which include electronics, color theory, and physical characteristics for printing processes.
Ability to accurately perform arithmetic computations and mathematical percentages, weights, and measures germane to printing, copying, and bindery work, including the amount of raw materials needed to complete a job.
Ability to perform data entry functions required for operation of computerized multi-function copy machines and digital printers.
Ability to meet scheduling commitments.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to deal tactfully and effectively with internal staff and users of services.
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 and Urine Drug Screen.

Class Established: October 2004
Revised: May 2010
September 2012