5316 Pre-press Technician

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Pre-press Technician

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5316

GRADE 25

CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Manager, Printing and Postal Services

MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Assistant to the Vice President for Administrative Services

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Pre-Press Technician lays out jobs for printing and binding using a variety of graphics software applications to work with technical layout and design components in order to set traps, produce halftones, duotones, and verify or install fonts on copy sent electronically from customers for one-color, multi-spot color, or four-color process jobs, prepares layout and graphic design upon request of customers, and assists with associated pre-press functions such as setting up files for variable data and merging it with the databases provided, file imposition for best fit on a press sheet, retrieving and storing files on the departmental server, retrieving files from the department sharefolder, and related printing functions in bindery and finishing.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Completion of specialized training beyond high school, such as a two-year vocational/technical training program in graphic design or a related field, is required.

Experience: At least two years of experience is required using a computer to manipulate digital multicolor and four-color files is required. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite software is required. Experience with Dynagram Dynastrip imposition software (Mac) and Fusion Pro variable data software is preferred.

Skills: The ability to work with various graphic design and layout software applications commonly used on Mac’s and PC’s is required. 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. Color management skills and the ability to work with different digital file formats are required. The ability to output digital files to various output devices like RIP on CTP system and to the front end of digital presses is required. The ability to continue to learn and use new graphics software on an ongoing basis is required. An understanding of the offset printing process and how one color affects another is required. Mechanical skills using small hand tools in order to make minor repairs and perform maintenance on a flatbed scanner, CTP imagesetter, and other equipment is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

Other: Visual acuity and the ability to visually distinguish color in order to do layout and design work for printing is required. The ability to lift 55 pounds occasionally is required. Physical mobility sufficient to operate and maintain a flatbed scanner and imagesetter is required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Produces effective collateral projects and publications by participating in project interviews and meetings, developing concepts and designs, performing photo shoots and illustrations as needed, producing proofs, and preparing print ready artwork through desktop publishing, and becoming proficient in new software programs and versions as needed.

2. Meets the client’s or department’s communication objectives through a thorough knowledge of type and design in order to develop concepts, sketches, comprehensives, or print-ready art and advises clients of appropriate options to achieve their communication objectives.

3. Operates within deadlines established for various publications by following an established production schedule, preparing details for print vendors when needed, and archiving the work electronically on the Printing Services server.

4. Maintains the Printing Services share folder on the campus network by retrieving and clearing files as needed, setting up new clients for access to the folder, and instructing clients on how to access and send files.

5. Produces offset printing plates for the Print Shop for jobs as required using various desktop computer programs, imposition software, RIP to plate software, and computer to plate image setting.

6. Produces variable data files to print for various mailed collateral projects using HTML and coding software to develop and test new ways to create and print variable data projects and communicates with departments and Creative Services on the testing and proofing of variable data projects.

7. Ensures the efficiency of the Office of Printing Services by utilizing the online estimating, billing, and tracking software program.

8. Assists the Pressroom Operator as needed on jobs and maintains the pre-press area by performing maintenance services, cleaning, and making minor repairs and adjustments within demonstrated capabilities, refers other repairs and service needs to qualified vendors and technicians, and keeps equipment properly calibrated to specific standards to produce quality printed pieces.

9. Assists with departmental stores responsibilities by maintaining an inventory of related supplies and advises the Printing Services Manager when replacement items or supplies are needed.

10. Reduces the likelihood of on-the-job injuries by following established safety guidelines when working with chemicals and chemical substances.

11. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

12. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, maintaining a current knowledge of desktop publishing, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the Manager, Printing and Postal Services.

13. Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Printing Services by performing other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Pre-press Technician is supervised by the Manager, Printing and Postal Services and generally exercises no supervision of others.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

REVISED JANUARY 2018

JOB FAMILY 2

Factor 1: Educational Requirements of the Job

Level 5.0 - 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 4.0 - 750 Points: Knowledge of an extensive set of operations and procedures, specific skills and demonstrated ability, that requires considerable creativity or mechanical aptitude. Skills at this level normally require more than two and as much as five years of experience and previous training.

Factor 3: Managerial Responsibility

Level 1.0 - 25 Points: No responsibility for the work of others. Limited responsibility for expenses, purchases, or inventory.

Factor 4: Guidelines

Level 2.0 - 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 4.0 - 175 Points: The purpose is to coordinate activities involving employees, students, and/or the general public. At this level, contacts involve considerable interpersonal skill involving cooperation and coordination and may involve the organization of activities of programs requiring working relationships among several parties. While contacts may require some level of persuasion, potential for conflicts and disputes are relatively minor.

Factor 6: Work Environment

Level 2.0 - 40 Points: The work area involves moderate discomfort and/or risk such as that from moving machinery, occasional work with hazardous substances, or moderate levels of noise. The work may require wearing of protective gear. The work area is generally adequately lighted and ventilated, but may involve uncomfortable temperatures at times.

Factor 7: Physical Demands

Level 2.0 - 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 1.0 - 20 Points: The job requires limited levels of responsibility for facilities, money, tools, and/or equipment.

Factor 9: Complexity

Level 3.0 - 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.