5332 Pressroom Operator

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Pressroom Operator

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5332

GRADE 25

CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Printing Service Manager

MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Associate Vice President for Administrative Services

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Pressroom Operator operates, maintains, and repairs the digital press, the two- and four-color offset printing presses, and bindery equipment. The Pressroom Operator works with front-end software to layout and execute the specifications provided by the designer, creates templates, sets parameters, and monitors color registration, consistency, and uniformity of the inks for the jobs using the digital press. The Pressroom Operator examines the quantity, specifications, color, and special instructions for the offset press jobs and checks for ink coverage, density, alignment, and registration. The Pressroom Operator works with the cutter, folder, collator/stitcher/trimmer, perforation/scoring/numbering, and hole drilling machines to meet specifications and finish the jobs as required. The Pressroom Operator performs routine daily maintenance of the presses and, occasionally, more complex repairs, and notifies the manager of the need for repairs beyond one’s capabilities.

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A high school diploma or the equivalent is required. Completion of vocational or technical schooling in printing operations is preferred.

Experience: At least four years of experience as a multi-color press operator is required and must include operation and maintenance of offset and associated equipment, in any type of commercial printing (job shops), graphic arts or printing business (newspapers, magazines). Digital press operation and maintenance experience is preferred.

Skills: Diagnostic skills in analyzing press operations, malfunctions, and the ability to troubleshoot, make repairs, or identify malfunctions for repair by qualified service technician is required. Mechanical ability in the use of small hand tools for making minor repairs or replacing inoperative components is required. Plate making and preparation skills, ink mixing skills, and familiarity with press chemicals, offset papers, and operation of a programmable paper cutter are required. The ability to use a densitometer or similar instrument is required. The ability to use software programs common in the printing industry is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

Effort: This position registers and examines printing products and makes adjustments in the quality of the printing based on visual observation. This position moves and transports boxes of paper from storage area to presses on a daily basis.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Produces quality finished print products by using front-end software or mechanical means to layout and execute the specifications provided by the designer, creates templates as needed, sets parameters, and monitors color registration, consistency, and uniformity of the inks, operates various printing presses, makes new offset plates or using existing offset plates for printing, determines the specified ink and paper stock to be used for each printing job as indicated on the print request form, uses electronic measuring devises to assure print quality and consistency, and monitors the operation of press machines and adjusting them as necessary.

2. Completes the printing request order as specified by assembling and finishing printing products such as newsletters, brochures, pamphlets, handbooks, bound reports, forms, and programs by verifying the specifications and setting up and operating a variety of bindery machines such as paper folders, cutters, staplers, and collators.

3. Performs preventative maintenance services on offset printing and machines by cleaning the press machines daily and lubricating them as prescribed in technical manuals, makes repairs and adjustments to printing machines within demonstrated capability to accomplish the repairs, and refers other repairs and services to the Printing Service Manager for resolution.

4. Assists with Printing Services operations by notifying the Printing Service Manager of the need to order paper, ink, and printing supplies, performing paper inventory annually, helping to unload and store paper stocks in the printing area, and advising the Printing Service Manager when supplies and/or equipment are needed.

5. Maintains and repairs postal service printing and sorting equipment as needed.

6. Performs preventive maintenance to reduce the likelihood for on-the-job injuries by maintaining a neat and clean work section and assisting in housekeeping or maintenance of other print shop areas as needed.

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

8. Remains competent and current with technology upgrades through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Printing Services Manager.

9. Contributes to the overall success of Printing Services by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Pressroom Operator is supervised by the Printing Service Manager and generally exercises no supervision of others.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

REVISED JANUARY 2017

JOB FAMILY 2

Factor 1: Educational Requirements of the Job

Level 2.0 - 100 Points: The job requires a high school diploma or equivalent.

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 2.0 - 75 Points: Irregular but occasional responsibility to direct the work of student workers or temporary or part-time workers. The nature of supervision is largely confined to assigning tasks to others and does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities. Responsibilities at this level may include tracking budgeted spending, limited purchasing authority, and tracking inventory.

Factor 4: Guidelines

Level 3.0 - 90 Points: Procedures and standards exist, but considerable latitude in applying procedures and selecting a sequence of activities must be exercised. The employee uses judgment in interpreting and adapting guidelines such as agency policies, regulations, precedents, and work directions for application to specific cases or problems. The employee analyzes results and recommends changes.

Factor 5: Contacts

Level 3.0 - 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 3.0 - 70 Points: The work area involves moderate discomfort and/or risk such as operating heavy machinery or dangerous equipment, or frequent exposure to hazardous materials. Alternatively, the work area may be subject to environmental discomfort such as poor ventilation. Loud noises, and/or extremes of heat or cold. The work often requires wearing protective gear that may be uncomfortable. The nature of the work environment may produce moderate levels of stress.

Factor 7: Physical Demands

Level 3.0 - 100 Points: Work requires continuous moderate with some strenuous physical exertion including standing, climbing, crawling, and regular lifting of objects over 50 pounds.

Factor 8: Responsibility for Facilities and Resources

Level 2.0 - 40 Points: Jobs at this level might require frequent but routine responsibility for facility security, public safety, equipment, or money.

Factor 9: Complexity

Level 3.0 - 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.