Finance and Administration

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN 1 (MECHANICAL) fabricates components; assembles, repairs, installs, and maintains
scientific instruments and equipment used in teaching and scientific research.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the first of a four-level series of classes. It is distinguished from higher levels by the absence of
responsibility for custom fabrication of components; the absence of major calibration responsibility; and the absence
of independent design responsibilities. Emphasis of duties in this class are on the maintenance and repair of scientific
equipment and fabrication of components under direct guidance and supervision.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Allocation of positions to this class will depend on the total work performed which may include one or a combination
of the duties or tasks listed below.

1. Instrument Maintenance and Repair. Typical tasks: performs periodic preventative maintenance or repairs
   on scientific equipment, including components such as motors, servo-systems, hydraulic, pneumatic, or digitized
   control systems, pumps, compressors, and related parts; changes drive belts, worn parts, lubricating fluids, filters,
   screens, and other components, as required; independently, or as part of a team, installs and makes test runs of
   new equipment based on manufacturer specifications; accurately records all service and repair activities and maintains
   service and repairs logs for assigned systems/equipment.
   
2. Fabrication of Instruments and Components. Typical tasks: works from detailed drawings, blueprints,
   and/or specifications to fabricate simple instruments or components of instruments; employs machine shop and related
   equipment such as drill press, cutoff saws, lathes, milling machines, shears, and brakes; works with a variety
   of materials including common metals and plastics as well as specialized alloys; performs hard and soft soldering
   to join materials; uses standard, highly accurate measuring devices to assure the accurate fabrication of parts
   within allowable tolerances; is familiar with and uses a variety of hand tools to fabricate, assemble, or maintain
   equipment and components.
   
3. Consultations. Typical tasks: consults with senior or supervising technicians, with researchers and/or
   with equipment vendors regarding preventive maintenance, component replacements, or repair needs, techniques and
   schedules; consults with senior technicians regarding component fabrications to clarify directions, blueprints,
   or specifications data; consults with senior technicians and researchers regarding equipment adjustments, calibrations,
   or component accessing procedures on sensitive or highly complex mechanisms.
   
4. Stores. Typical tasks: maintains the parts stock used in the maintenance and repair of equipment; maintains
   and keeps current technical library resources including equipment specifications, maintenance and repairs materials,
   vendor equipment advisories, technical journals, and related materials for easy access; may order and/or purchase
   standard parts needed through central purchasing office or directly through vendors.
   
5. Miscellaneous. Typical tasks: maintains and enhances skills through contact and consultations with senior-level
   staff or academic researchers and through review of relevant publications and journals; becomes familiar with the
   interrelationship of specialty disciplines such as electronics, pneumatics, hydraulics, metallurgy, optics, etc.,
   which are part of the scientific equipment; works on development teams in the fabrication of specific components
   for complex systems or equipment as the employee becomes more familiar with unit operations.
   

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this class are in regular in-person contact with faculty, researchers, staff, and students while
repairing instruments and fabricating instrument components. Employees are in occasional contact, by telephone
or in person, with vendors to purchase parts and with manufacturers service representatives to receive information
and assistance on the assembly and repair of instruments.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive close supervision from a shop supervisor, instrument technologist, principal
technician, or research faculty member. Work is reviewed on an ongoing basis from feedback, from research staff,
and/or from supervising staff as to the quality of maintenance, repair, and accuracy of the fabrication at the
component level. Employees follow operators manuals for maintenance and repair of instruments and standard mathematical
and machining principles in fabrication of instrument components.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Positions require the willingness to work around hazardous fumes, chemicals, radiation, tools, machinery, and
voltages. Positions also require the willingness to work in noisy environments, with difficult people, and to meet
reasonable schedules and deadlines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

One year of instrument shop experience maintaining and repairing mechanical scientific instruments and equipment;
and one of the following: completion of a Machinist Apprenticeship program; or an Associate's degree in either
Mechanical Engineering Technology or Machine (Manufacturing) Technology.