Instrument and Measurement Technician Series

Promotional Line: 159

Employees in positions allocated to this series work with measurement equipment that primarily involves mechanics, electronics, optics, radiant energy, and/or hydraulics. At one level of the Series or another, they operate, maintain, repair, test, construct, develop, and/or purchase measurement equipment. They often serve as resource personnel on measurement equipment and methods for researchers who have a limited knowledge of the measurement field and may conduct tests for them. They may also supervise other Instrument and Measurement Technicians and/or other employees.

DESCRIPTIONS OF LEVELS OF WORK

Working under direct supervision, employees in positions allocated to this level perform basic, entry ¬level duties in the calibration, construction, repair, and maintenance of measurement instruments and accessories. They may also conduct experimental tests of a routine nature for researchers.

A(n) Instrument and Measurement Technician I typically -

1. performs one or a combination of the following duties­
   1. checks and recalibrates simple instruments (such as pointer-type meters, dial indicators, normal frame-rate motion picture cameras, and linear deflection transducers), generally at a level of precision and accurac­y typical of shop- or applications-grade (on the order of 1 part per 1000 or less)
   2. constructs basic measuring elements from specific, detailed instructions and/or drawings (such as wiring circuit boards with logic chips and transistors from schematics and layout drawings or modifying optical or television cameras by attaching special-purpose lenses)
   3. makes routine repairs to simple instruments and assists in major repair of more complex instruments
   4. performs acceptance tests on simple purchased equipment (such as simple voltmeters, pressure gauges, and cameras)
   5. may assist in test of instruments and/or instrumented experiments
   6. installs transducer elements in experimental systems (such as bonded electrical strain gauges, thermocouples, thermisters, and acceleration gauges)
   7. performs routine, elementary service and/or preventive maintenance on instruments (such as cleaning and adjusting transits, tape recorder heads and tape paths, low level voltage and current switches, and data logger printers)
   8. provides students and staff members with general description of instruments or instrument systems (such as generic description of and the type number of transducers, signal conditioning, data storage, and display systems)
2. may maintain files of instruction books for commercially purchased equipment and manufacturer's equipment notes;
3. performs related duties as assigned.

Working under general supervision, employees in positions at this level perform skilled duties in the construction, repair, adjustment, calibration, and maintenance of instruments and measuring devices. They may also conduct tests of relatively high precision and accuracy, requiring the use of laboratory-standard grade instruments, rapid input rates, multiple sensor inputs, or similar degrees of complexity, precision, and accuracy.

A(n) Instrument and Measurement Technician II typically -

1. performs one or a combination of the following duties-­
   1. working from a general description of the measurement task required, assembles measuring systems (such as a variety of different transducers and signal conditioning feeding a common storage and/or display unit) from existing or obtainable sub-units; or, if necessary, designs and constructs special, non-commercial instruments of moderate complexity (such as special analog electronic units for arithmetic operations on measured or control signals)
   2. performs repairs and instruments of moderate complexity (such as electro-hydraulic servo systems, ph meters, potentiometers, and high-speed motion picture cameras); directs repair of simple instruments; and assists in repair of complex instruments and/or systems
   3. conducts acceptance tests for complex purchased equipment (such as data loggers, data acquisition and data processing miro- or mini-computers and peripheral transducers, or ultrasonic or acoustic emission and measuring devices); writes purchase requisitions for standard commercial instruments
   4. in conjunction with research staff, directs data logging and testing sequence of experimental research programs
   5. establishes calibration constants of uncalibrated system consisting of transducers, signal conditioning, and storage or display unit; verifies performance of systems (such as linearity, hysteresis, or reproducibilit­y
   6. when conducting tests for researchers, selects gauge location and mounting techniques and chooses most applicable gauge from available inventory or purchase allowance
   7. performs preventive maintenance of moderately complex instruments and/or measurement systems (such as alignment of recording and reproduction electronics of analog or digital tape units or processor and memory tests of digital micro- and mini-computer data systems)
   8. explains operating principles and limits of instruments or instrument system to students and staff members
2. performs related duties as assigned.

Working under direction from research or academic staff members, employees in positions allocated to this level perform duties of a high technical level in the construction, repair, adjustment, calibration, and maintenance of measuring devices and systems. They act as consultants to researchers on measurement equipment and techniques, and they may also supervise and train other Instrument and Measurement Technicians and/or other subordinate personnel.

A(n) Instrument and Measurement Technician III typically -

1. performs one or a combination of the following duties­
   1. selects from existing or obtainable stock equipment to be used in multi-measurement systems being developed to solve researchers needs, based on considerations of the parameters of the system elements (such as frequency response, effect of the transducer on the variables being measured, or sensitivity of the system); or, if necessary, designs com­plex, non-commercial instruments systems (such as interfaces between analog measuring devices and digital micro-logic assemblies or interface between digital systems and analog control signals)
   2. directs repair program for measurement instruments of all degrees of complexity; determines if commercial repair-service is needed; and assists in determining if equipment cannot or should not be repaired and should be disposed of
   3. writes bid specifications for complex measurement systems (such as electro-hydraulic loading and measuring instruments; data acquisition, processing, and display computers; or x-ray diffraction and inspection systems); establishes level and degree of acceptance tests for purchased equipment; and acts as liaison with vendors of service organizations
   4. supplies instrument assemblies and/or techniques for quick evaluation and/or processing of data during test sequences for research staff in those instances when succeeding experiments are determined by preceding results and/or when the measured result controls the experiment input
   5. directs programs of calibrating instruments according to procedures and standards of the National Bureau of Standards
   6. evaluates applicability of transducers or gauges to specific measurement environments
   7. establishes and supervises preventative instrument/equipment maintenance programs
   8. advises students and staff members on the applicability of available measurement systems for problems under investigation
2. may assign and review work of other Technicians and/or other employees; recommend employment, promotion, discipline, termination etc. of subordinates;
3. performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
   1. college course work in mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, instrumentation technology or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. work experience in the repair and maintenance of optical, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and/or electronic instruments and/or computer equipment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance.
2. Knowledge of electrical schematics.
3. Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Skill in written and verbal communication.
5. Skill in reading, interpreting, and understanding specifications and schematics.
6. Skill in troubleshooting.
7. Ability to supervise.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
   1. college course work in mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, instrumentation technology or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. work experience in the repair and maintenance of optical, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and/or electronic instruments and/or computer equipment.
2. Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience performing entry level duties in the calibration, construction, repair, and maintenance of measurement instruments and accessories

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
2. Knowledge of electrical schematics.
3. Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Skill in written and verbal communication.
5. Ability to read, interpret, and understand specifications and schematics.
6. Ability to troubleshoot.

CREDENTIALS TO BE VERIFIED BY PLACEMENT OFFICER

1. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories:
   1. college course work in mechanical engineering, electronic engineering, instrumentation technology or a closely related field as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:
      • 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)
      • Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)
      • 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)
      • Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
   2. work experience in the repair and maintenance of optical, hydraulic, mechanical, electrical, and/or electronic instruments and/or computer equipment.
2. Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience performing entry level duties in the calibration, construction, repair, and maintenance of measurement instruments and accessories.
3. Two (2) years (24 months) of work experience performing skilled duties in the construction, repair, adjustment, calibration, and maintenance of instruments and measuring devices.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

1. Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
2. Knowledge of electrical schematics.
3. Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
4. Skill in written and verbal communication.
5. Ability to read, interpret, and understand specifications and schematics.
6. Ability to troubleshoot.