GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN 1 diagnoses user requirements and equipment malfunctions, and fabricates, calibrates, and maintains a wide variety of complex scientific instruments and systems. 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the first and journey level of a two level series responsible for fabrication, calibration and maintenance of instruments and systems. Lack of responsibility for design of instruments and systems and for approving purchase and contract release orders distinguishes this class from the higher level. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties listed below are not inclusive but characteristic of the type and level of work associated with this class. Individual positions may perform all or some combination of the duties listed below as well as other related duties.

1. Fabrication. Fabricate circuit boards, chassis, cabinets, etc., from blueprints, rough sketches, and verbal instructions when vendor equipment is unavailable or requires modification. Draw schematic diagrams, parts layouts, parts lists, and other working drawings. Test equipment to evaluate its performance and make necessary adjustments.
2. Calibration and Maintenance. Diagnose malfunctioning equipment to identify problems. Calibrates, aligns, and repairs scientific instruments and systems and performs preventative maintenance. Systems serviced include weigh-in-motion, ice detection, falling weight syflectometer, dynaflect, skid tester, video log, automatic vehicle identification, maze meter, etc. These systems contain microcomputer, data communications, and various tapes of specialized sensors, hydraulics, motors. etc. Equipment is calibrated per manufacturer specifications, when available. In other cases, develop the necessary procedures, write documentation and maintain records on repairs, calibration, and other work on equipment and instruments.
3. Consultation Duties. Consult with and advise end users on use of instruments and of alternatives available. Confer with manufacturers about their equipment . Estimate job completion dates and cost.
4. Stores. Maintain a parts stock and technical library of components used to repair and fabricate instruments and equipment. Purchase parts and components needed for repair and fabrication.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class have daily contact with other departments and users of various equipment. Employees have frequent contact with private contractors and manufacturers to discuss equipment operation and specifications. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class work independently, frequently at remote locations, and receive minimum supervision. The higher class technician assigns and coordinates the work of this class. 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Positions in this class travel throughout the state to various specific locations to repair and maintain equipment. Much of the work is performed out of doors, year-round, in all types of weather conditions and is subject to high volume traffic conditions and noisy machinery. Positions require the willingness to work safely around potentially hazardous fumes, chemicals, radiation, tools, machinery, voltages, and traffic.