5341 Senior Graphics Technician
POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Senior Graphics Technician
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5341
GRADE 24
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Printing Service Manager
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Senior Graphics Technician uses software applications to work with technical layout and design components in order to set traps, correct screen angles, produce duotones, and verify or install fonts on copy sent electronically from customers, prepares layout and design upon the request of customers, and assists with associated pre-press functions such as electronic stripping, color proofing, and related printing functions in bindery and finishing department.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Completion of specialized training beyond the high school level, such as a 2 year vocational/technical training program in graphic design or a related field, is required.
Experience: At least four years of experience is required using a computer to manipulate digital multicolor and 4 color process files.
Skills: Proficiency with state-of-the-art graphics software applications is required. Fast keyboarding and mouse skills are required. Must have an understanding of the offset printing process and how one color affects another. Proficiency in all Adobe Creative Suite software packages and Microsoft Word on a Mac computer is required. A thorough understanding of digital file formats (pdf, tiff, eps) from different operating systems (Mac and Pc) is required. Experience with Dynagram Dynastrip imposition software (Mac) and Adobe Creative Suite software (PC) is preferred.
Effort: Requires visual acuity and the ability to visually distinguish color in order to layout and design work for printing. Must be able to lift 55 pounds occasionally.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Prepares jobs for printing by receiving electronic files of black and white, two-color, and four-color jobs from customers, understanding the desired appearance of the final product, evaluating the draft material for content, legibility, suitability for desired printing or binding requirements, and advising customers on formats, styles, and design options.
2. Produces the desired product from digital file format by typesetting, reworking technical design aspects such as setting screen angles, trapping, making duotones, scanning line art or pictures for halftones, and running output of digital files to image setter or wide format printer for color proofing.
3. Provides digital layout and design services for a wide array of printed materials according to customer design requests and print capabilities of press.
4. Assists in the other prepress areas by running test strips on image setter to assure proper exposure and development to obtain the best quality, loading cassettes into image setter, and stripping film and burning and developing proofs and plates, when appropriate.
5. Remains competent and current by learning new graphics applications and attending courses and/or training as directed by the Prepress Coordinator.
6. Contributes to the overall success of the Printing Service Department by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Senior Graphics Technician is supervised by the Pre-press Coordinator and generally exercises no supervision of others.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED OCTOBER 2006
JOB FAMILY 2
Factor 1: Educational Requirements of the Job
Level 5 - 300 Points: The job requires a high school diploma or equivalent and an Associate's degree (60 credit hours or more) or equivalent vocational training or certification.
Factor 2: Skill Requirements - Craft and Trade Skills
Level 3 - 550 Points: General mechanical or technical aptitude and specific knowledge and experience in a skill, craft, or trade. The ability to perform standard procedures, operations, and/or operate specific equipment, that is required through at least two years of experience and previous training is required.
Factor 3: Managerial Responsibility
Level 1 - 25 Points: No responsibility for the work of others. Limited responsibility for expenses, purchases, or inventory.
Factor 4: Guidelines
Level 2 - 50 Points: Specific guidelines and established routines exist, but some judgment in applying guidelines and deviating from standards must be exercised. The number and similarity of guidelines and work situations requires the employee to use judgment in locating and selecting the most appropriate guidelines, references, and procedures for application and in making minor deviations to adapt guidelines in specific cases. At this level, the employee may also determine which of several alternatives to use. Situations to which the existing guidelines cannot be applied or significant proposed deviations from the guidelines are referred to a supervisor.
Factor 5: Contacts
Level 3 - 100 Points: The purpose is to advise or counsel students, coworkers, or the general public, or to plan or coordinate work efforts with other employees who are working toward common goals and where relationships are generally cooperative. Contacts are moderately structured and routine.
Factor 6: Work Environment
Level 1 - 20 Points: The work environment had only everyday risks or discomforts associated with an office or commercial vehicle. The work area is adequately lighted, heated or cooled, and ventilated. There are no unusual hazards in the work environment.
Factor 7: Physical Demands
Level 2 - 60 Points: Work requires some exertion such as standing for long periods of time, considerable walking, frequent bending kneeling, reaching, and stooping. May include occasional lifting of moderately heavy objects. Work may require specific but common physical abilities.
Factor 8: Responsibility for Facilities and Resources
Level 2 - 40 Points: Jobs at this level might require frequent but routine responsibility for facility security, public safety, equipment, or money.
Factor 9: Complexity
Level 3 - 450 Points: The work includes various duties involving different and unrelated processes and methods. Decisions regarding what needs to be done depend upon knowledge of the duties, priorities, commitments, policies, and program goals of the supervisor and the department and involve the analysis of the subject, phase, or issues involved in each project or assignment, and the course of action may have to be selected from many alternatives. The work involves elements that must be identified and analyzed to discern interrelationships.