Senior Chemical Testing Engineer
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: GZ10
Class Code: 3400
Established: 1931
Revised: 10/19/1961
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under general direction, to plan the work and direct the staff of the chemical testing section or the asphalt sections of the Highway Materials and Research Laboratory and to conduct investigational and research work as applied to engineering construction and maintenance materials; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Plans, assigns, and reviews the work of staffs engaged in the testing and chemical analysis of (1) paints, protective coatings, metals, cements and concrete aggregates, fuel and weed oils, soils, foundation materials, water and other materials or (2) asphaltic and other materials; directs and conducts research and investigational work and develops methods and tests to determine the composition and related qualities of road building and construction materials; develops and writes specifications for various construction and maintenance materials; directs or makes field and shop inspections for compliance with specifications and suitability and durability of the product; directs the witnessing of manufacturers' tests on products as a basis for acceptance or rejection and confers with manufacturers as to methods of correcting deficiencies in finished products; investigates inquiries and complaints from the field and makes recommendations for solution of the problem; evaluates and examines new materials, both raw and finished products, to determine their appropriateness for use as construction or maintenance materials and determines appropriate material substitutions for those specified; develops and conducts physical tests to determine properties and uses of (1) paints, protective coverings, and other materials or (2) asphaltic and other materials; contacts producers, manufacturers, and contractors; makes recommendations and prepares reports.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Two years of chemical testing engineering experience in a class equivalent in level of responsibility to an Associate Chemical Testing Engineer in the California state service. and Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in chemistry or chemical engineering. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Characteristics, properties, and uses of a wide variety of engineering construction and maintenance materials; chemical laboratory testing procedures and laboratory equipment; physical, inorganic, organic, and analytic chemistry; methods and equipment used in sampling and testing various construction and maintenance materials; factors affecting material substitutions; personnel management, supervision, and training; standard specifications and tests of the American Society for Testing Materials, American Association of State Highway Officials, Federal Government, and the California Division of Highways; department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to: Make recommendations on materials and material substitutions; initiate and conduct independent research and investigational work; develop and write specifications and prepare reports; plan, organize and direct the work of staffs of technical assistants; perform difficult testing work; analyze situations accurately and adopt effective action; effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.
Special Personal Characteristic
Demonstrated supervisory ability.
