Associate Chemical Testing Engineer
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: GZ20
Class Code: 3403
Established: 1931
Revised: 11/07/1953
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under direction, to perform the more difficult or specialized chemical testing engineering work in the analysis of engineering construction materials and to assist in the supervision of a chemical testing laboratory; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Performs the more difficult or specialized work in chemical analyses of raw materials and finished products, such as: ferrous and nonferrous metals, protective coatings, traffic line paints, and other paints, fuel and weed oils, asphaltic materials, cement and concrete aggregates, soils, foundation materials, water, water for concrete, and other engineering and miscellaneous materials; assists in developing specifications and, as required, prepares specifications for various construction materials; assists in conducting research and investigational work and developing methods and tests to determine the chemical composition and related qualities of road building and construction materials; makes field and shop inspections for compliance with specifications and suitability and durability of the product; witnesses manufacturer's tests on products as a basis for acceptance or rejection and confers with manufacturers as to methods of correcting deficiencies in finished products; assists in investigating complaints from the field and makes recommendations for solution of the problems; as required, makes recommendations for appropriate material substitutions for those specified; as required, makes the necessary physical analysis of products in connection with any particular project; assists in supervision of the staff of the chemical testing section; prepares reports on results of analyses and investigations.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
Two years of experience performing the duties of an Assistant Chemical Testing Engineer in the California state service.
Or II
Experience: Four years of responsible chemical testing engineering experience, two years of which must have been in the chemical testing of construction materials. (Graduate work in chemistry or chemical engineering may be substituted for one year of the required general experience on a year-for-year basis.) 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: General chemical laboratory testing procedure and equipment and organic and inorganic chemistry as applied to the testing of highway building and construction materials; chemical characteristics and properties of various engineering construction materials and methods and equipment used in sampling and making chemical tests of construction and maintenance materials; uses of the materials of engineering construction; chemical factors affecting material substitutions; standard specifications and tests of the American Society for Testing Materials, the standard specifications of the American Association of State Highway Officials, Federal specifications, and standard specifications of the California Division of Highways; principles of effective supervision; department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Skill and accuracy in: Performing difficult chemical testing work.
Ability to: Make recommendations on material substitutions; supervise the work of others; analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action; initiate and conduct independent chemical research and investigational work, write specifications, dictate correspondence, and prepare reports; effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.
