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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS
The INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN 3 (ELECTRONIC), under general supervision designs, constructs, fabricates, repairs,
calibrates, installs, and maintains electronic, instrument communications and computer circuits, equipment, and
systems used for scientific research, medical research, and administrative applications.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES
The Instrument Technician 3 (Electronic) is distinguished from the Instrument Technician 2 (Electronic) in that
incumbents perform design and development work on units of a system requiring: a) Some adapting of existing precedents
or techniques; and b) Exercising originality based on an understanding of the interaction of various subunits in
adapting equipment to perform new or different functions to meet objectives; and c) Maintaining a large scale prototype
electronic or instrument system which, due to density of circuitry, miniature size, or lack of documentation, are
most difficult to maintain. Troubleshooting and repair are often performed to the component level. Incumbents work
with a high degree of independence and are responsible for the technical quality and accuracy of their work. The
Instrument Technician 3 (Electronic) is distinguished from the Instrument Technologist (Electronic) by the absence
of the requirements for serving as a project team leader, coordinating the work of others, having technical expertise
in two or more fields, and having greater contact with users and vendors.
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. Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility
are:
- Design. Typical tasks: under guidance by an engineer or scientific faculty investigator, incumbents
perform equipment and circuit design, and design modifications to existing circuits and equipment using handbooks,
data sheets, and other technical literature. These designs typically involve circuit building blocks (op amps,
digital logic, function modules, etc.) and straightforward discrete semiconductor circuitry; typically works with
low level analog signals, in the Radio Frequency domain, and with micro and minicomputer interfaces; incumbents
perform detailed mechanical design of front panels, chassis, logic boards, and backplanes. Incumbents prototype
and debug their own circuit designs, those of engineers and scientific faculty investigators.
- Troubleshooting and Maintenance. Typical tasks: maintains complex equipment and instrumentation systems,
often computer based, that are difficult to maintain, have poor documentation, are prone to frequent failures,
and/or need frequent adjustments to maintain their operating performance and specifications; frequently performs
troubleshooting and repairs to the component level on Nuclear Magnetic Resonance systems, Mass Spectrometers, Multichannel
Analyzers, Molecular Beam Epitaxy systems, X-ray diffraction systems, high speed lasers, optical systems, etc.
- Computer Services. Typical tasks: diagnose and repair to the module, board, and often the component
level, microcomputer and peripheral equipment; included are CPUs, memories, disk drives, communication interfaces,
data acquisition interfaces, printers, CRT terminals, and switching power supplies; run diagnostic software to
isolate CPU, memory and peripheral problems; perform floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, printer, and video monitor
alignments using specialized test equipment and diagnostic software; format hard disks using formatting software.
- Communications Services. Typical tasks: coordinate and/or perform installation of communications and
network equipment and cables (in accordance with NFPA/NEC, ANSI, FCC, and IEEE standards) in offices and labs,
within buildings and between buildings; install, test and troubleshoot communications and network hardware and
software; troubleshoot and repair RS-232 communications problems; troubleshoot Ethernet network hardware problems
and replace faulty modules.
- Construction and Fabrication. Typical tasks: incumbents fabricate, assemble and install electronic components
and assemblies following prints, diagrams, rough sketches and/or verbal instructions; devise methods by which mounting
and wiring insures that possible sources of unwanted coupling are physically isolated, that length of leads are
kept at a minimum to reduce the possibility of regenerative feedback, that circuit components are securely mounted
to avoid malfunctioning under anticipated conditions of temperature, shock and vibration; and must possess the
ability to follow schematic drawings and be able to break the schematic into block diagram form; perform Radio
Frequency circuit and mechanical layout and construction.
- Calibration. Typical tasks: using manufacturer's technical manuals, calibrate and align difficult test,
measurement and instrumentation equipment and systems involving the interaction of several variables, nonlinear
effects, compromise adjustments and physical samples. Examples include Mass Spectrometers, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance
systems, Gas Chromatographs, color video graphic systems, etc.; perform Radio Frequency circuit and equipment tuning,
adjustment, and calibration.
- Preventive Maintenance. Typical tasks: as part of overall service procedures, perform routine preventive
maintenance of computer systems, including cleaning and replacement of air filters, clean printers, clean disk
drive heads, perform mechanical adjustments and related tasks to ensure reliable operation over time.
- Stores. Typical tasks: maintain a parts stock and technical literature library used in the design, repair
and fabrication of instruments and equipment; order or purchase common parts and components needed for design,
repair, and fabrication of instruments and equipment through the purchasing department or directly from vendors.
- Consultation. Typical tasks: consult with faculty researchers, staff and students regarding specifications,
design, interfacing, and technical problems related to components, equipment, instruments, computers, and networks.
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS
Employees in this class are in regular personal contact with faculty investigators, staff and students while
designing, fabricating, constructing, modifying, calibrating, repairing, installing, and servicing electronic,
instrument, communication, and computer equipment. Employees are in frequent contact by telephone or in person
with vendors to purchase parts and with manufacturers service representatives to exchange information and to receive
assistance on the assembly, repair, calibration, or exchange of equipment, instruments, modules or parts.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Employees in this class receive general supervision from a Supervising Development Engineer, a faculty investigator,
or administrator. Design work is reviewed periodically at milestones and upon completion for adherence to design
objectives. Construction and installation work are reviewed as necessary during work in progress and upon completion.
Maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and calibration work are reviewed on an ongoing basis primarily by feedback
from faculty investigators and staff.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Two years experience performing tasks equivalent to an Instrument
Technician 2 which involved fabricating, repairing, calibrating, installing,
and maintaining electronic circuits, equipment (including computers), and
systems; AND - Completion of an Electronic technician Apprenticeship program, or
an Associate degree in an Electronic Engineering Technician program.
One additional year of the above experience may substitute for the education
requirements.
Preference may be given for electronic circuit design experience.
On your application, be specific in addressing your training and/or
experience to the areas listed in the minimum qualifications.