GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN 1 (ELECTRONIC), under direct supervision, constructs, fabricates, repairs, calibrates, installs, and maintains electronic, instrument communication and computer circuits, equipment, and systems used for scientific research, medical research, and administrative applications.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Instrument Technician 1 (Electronic) is distinguished from the Instrument Technician 2 (Electronic) in that the primary function of positions in this class is to perform routine technician work. Entry into the higher class would not be possible without additional experience in repair, construction, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of electronic, instrument, communication, and computer equipment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total work performed which may include one or a combination of the duties or tasks listed below. Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility are:

1. Repair. Typical tasks: diagnose and repair to the component level analog and electromechanical based equipment and laboratory instruments; e.g., oscilloscopes, voltmeters, signal generators, power supplies, centrifuges, stirrers, hot plates, pH meters, etc.
2. Computer Services. Typical tasks: diagnose and repair to the board or module level (and sometimes to the component level) microcomputer and peripheral equipment; run diagnostic software to isolate CPU, memory and peripheral problems; perform floppy disk drive, printer, and video monitor alignments using specialized test equipment; format hard disks using formatting software.
3. Communications Services. Typical tasks: install communications, telephone, and network cables (in accordance with NFPA/NEC, ANSI, FCC, and IEEE standards) in offices and labs, within buildings, and between buildings; test newly installed cables and troubleshoot existing cables.
4. Construction and Fabrication. Typical tasks: using detailed prints or diagrams, construct and assemble equipment and instruments involving the mounting of transformers, switches, resistors, capacitors, discrete semiconductors, integrated circuits, and other parts on vector boards, printed circuit boards, and chassis; fabricate and install special cables; use metal-working hand tools in connection with fabrication, chassis and panel construction and assembly of parts; and use wire-wrap tools for the wiring of backplanes and logic boards.
5. Calibration. Typical tasks: using manufacturer's technical manuals, calibrates and aligns test, measurement and instrumentation equipment and systems, including: oscilloscopes, voltmeters, frequency counters, pH meters, power supplies, frequency synthesizers, etc.
6. Preventive Maintenance. Typical tasks: clean or replace equipment air filters, clean printers, clean disk drive heads, perform mechanical adjustments, and related tasks to ensure reliable operation over time.
7. Stores. Typical tasks: maintain a parts stock and repair manual library used in the repair and fabrication of instruments and equipment; order or purchase common parts and components needed for repair and fabrication of instruments and equipment through the purchasing department or directly from vendors.
8. Consultation. Typical tasks: consult with faculty researchers, staff, and students regarding technical problems related to equipment and cables being serviced or installed.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class are in regular personal contact with faculty investigators, staff and students while fabricating, constructing, calibrating, repairing, installing and servicing electronic, instrument, communication, and computer equipment. Employees are in occasional contact by telephone or in-person with vendors to purchase parts and with manufacturers service representatives to exchange information and to receive assistance on the assembly, repair, calibration, or exchange of equipment, instruments, modules, or parts.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class may receive direction from an Instrument Technician 3 and supervision from a faculty investigator or administrator. Construction and installation work is reviewed daily. Other work is reviewed on an ongoing basis, including feedback from faculty investigators, staff, and students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS