GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The PHOTOCOMPOSITION SPECIALIST employs experience and special training to correctly encode/format hard or soft copy material to meet photocomposition standards for the further processing and printing of materials by printing plant.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Encoding. Typical tasks: reviews work order and hard or soft copy of draft material to determine desired margins, headings, indents, page numbers, type style, and size as well as spacing and positioning of graphic materials; consults with supervisor, author, or editors to clarify directions when necessary; keys in correctly coded material from hard copy or converts soft copy formats to appropriate photocomposition formats at a word processing or computer terminal; provides consultation and advice regarding unusual publication or document formats as they relate to photocomposition standards; obtains advice and direction from Printing Division photocomposition coordinator or typesetting/composition supervisor in higher education printing plant to resolve difficult or unusual coding/formatting problems; may develop agency or unit manuals or guides pertaining to photocomposition standards such as templates for book building programs; provides advice and instruction to other agency staff in modifying existing or creating new word processing programs to meet photocomposition standards.
2. Copy Proofing. Typical tasks: proofreads galley (hard copy may be produced through on site printer or from Printing Division) to identify and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, format, visual appearance and readability; corrections may be made manually on hard copy or through a terminal keyboard on soft copy; returns proofed galley to printing plant for final printing (may be via direct modem connection electronically or by sending hard copy to Printing Division or higher education printing plant).
3. Paste Up. Typical tasks: cuts and pastes typeset proofs to create final press ready product, determines margins and enlargement or reduction percentages of photographs and artwork supplied; positions type and artwork to meet specifications; determines imposition and alignment of camera ready copy, lays out and pastes up signatures for several methods of production.
4. Systems Maintenance and Operation. Typical tasks: maintains accurate production records on a daily basis; consults and coordinates with agency specialists on new electronic systems and procedures which may affect photocomposition operations; trains employees to understand and use photocomposition coding systems and equipment; maintains contact and coordination with Printing Division or higher education printing plant regarding changes or developments in photocomposition systems or procedures; maintains current of knowledge of process and procedures by attending training when available and may participate in informal user group meetings to exchange information and experience; may monitor computerized photocomposition control panel and CRT screen indicators to know when receipt of in-house or telecommunicated data is complete; keys in directions to computer to typeset completed copy received, monitors process to catch any errors, corrects errors or contacts system operator to remedy problem; loads magnetic tape into drive unit, makes back up tape of days work.
5. Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: depending on agency or unit assignment, may operate on-site modem and direct transmission equipment tied to the Printing Division or higher education printing plant; may operate local interfaced printer systems to make own galleys or receive galley proofs direct from Printing Division or higher education printing plant; may be responsible for completing printing job orders for agency and to provide liaison with Printing Division or higher education printing plant staff; may operate optical character scanning equipment (key in or recover text and codes for tape production); may perform routine word processing duties as time permits; some positions may work with specialized legal document formats and update and train others in the use of computerized legal resource systems (Oregon Legislative Information System, Hestlaw legal research on-line terminal).

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this position have frequent daily in-person or telephone contact with agency staff to provide or obtain information related to materials, processes, or procedures involved in photocomposition activities. The employee will have regular telephone or in-person contact with technical staff of the printing division or a higher education printing plant to obtain advice or information about materials being processed or problems with the system operation. There is occasional telephone or in-person contact with agency specialists in programs or systems to clarify operations processes and procedures they relate to the photocomposition operation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive general supervision and work assignments from a unit supervisor or manager. Once proficient in coding and systems operation the employee will work with a high degree of independence. Depending on the nature of the assignment work may be reviewed in progress or as completed for accuracy, timeliness, and conformance to agency policy procedure and operational guidelines. The employee is guided by technical manuals related to equipment and system operations as well as coding and formatting guides and agency policy and procedure manuals. The employee is further guided through consultation with technical specialists within the agency on programming or processing problems of materials and with technical staff at the printing division or higher education printing plant regarding photocomposition system standards and operations when needed.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Positions are generally found in the production environment of a printing plant. They require the willingness to work in the environment associated with the position's location including occasionally working for long periods at a desk or work station reading a computer terminal screen and the noise and heat of word processing equipment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS