Instrument Technician, Air Quality
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: QQ70
Class Code: 6927
Established: 03/18/1997
Revised: --
Title Changed: --
Definition
This specification describes the Instrument Technician, Air Quality, class which has the responsibility for operation, maintenance, testing, and repair of complex electronic air quality/monitoring instrumentation. This instrumentation is used to measure and record the source, quantity, and transport of air pollution using electronic, physical, and chemical-based techniques to measure and sample air quality.
Typical Tasks
The Instrument Technician, Air Quality, class is a technical class in which incumbents perform electronics and instrumentation repair work at the entry, journey, and advanced journey levels. Incumbents install, maintain, test, repair, and operate automatic electronic air monitoring instrumentation, meteorological instrumentation, and data acquisition equipment; operate personal computers, modems, and associated peripheral equipment such as printers and video monitors; fabricate and connect tubing and electrical wiring in accordance with plans, electronic schematics, and wiring diagrams; check, adjust, repair, and calibrate a wide variety of digital and analog electronic recording and indicating devices and equipment; use, maintain, repair, and adjust electronic test and physical measuring instruments such as photometers, oscilloscopes, frequency counters, manometers, flow meters/controllers, voltmeters, ammeters, and potentiometers; collect air samples and perform routine tests and measurements; install and fabricate complete air monitoring stations and field source test systems; read, record, tabulate, and edit strip chart data and electronic data files; keep records of work performed and of supplies used; order supplies as needed; and prepare reports. Positions in these classes are not supervisory.
Job Characteristics
Range A is the entry level. In a learning capacity, incumbents will become proficient in the installation, maintenance, repair, and operation of electronic and electromechanical air quality measuring instrumentation and equipment. Employees exercise little independent judgment when dealing with complex operational and servicing problems with the instruments and work is carefully reviewed.
Range B is the full journey level. Incumbents exercise independent judgment in resolving installation, maintenance, repair, and operational problems in the laboratory and in the field and perform corrective measures without technical directions. This level will independently troubleshoot electronic instrumentation, install air pollution measuring equipment, and investigate and repair air monitoring station and/or source test operational malfunctions.
Incumbents in Range C personally perform the most complex and difficult instrument work and/or act as team leader for a group of lower level technicians; lead and/or perform the siting, installation, adjustment, repair, and maintenance of complex microprocessor-based electronic air pollution measuring instrumentation and systems and develop instrument operating procedures; train lower level technicians and air pollution control district staff; assist in design and modification of digital and analog electronic circuitry; develop new or improved air sampling and monitoring techniques; and prepare draft specifications for instrument procurement.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
Two years of experience in the California state service as an Air Resources Technician II installing, maintaining, preparing, and operating automatic electronic air pollution measuring instrumentation and other sampling equipment for the detection of atmospheric pollutants.
Or II
Two years of experience in the operation, maintenance, and repair of electronic instrumentation, control mechanisms, or similar devices involving the application of electronic, physical, and chemical principles.
(Education in electronic technology or a closely related field in an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school beyond the 12th grade level may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Instrument Technician, Air Quality
(Ranges A and B)
Knowledge of: Basic electronic fundamentals, electronic circuit troubleshooting techniques, and the use of electronic test equipment.
Ability to: Read and write at a level required for successful job performance; read plans, blueprints, schematics, and electrical wiring diagrams; learn the theory of operation of scientific electronic measuring devices and microprocessor-based instrumentation; install, operate, repair, and maintain electronic, microprocessor-based air pollution measuring instrumentation, meteorological measuring equipment, data acquisition systems, and air sample collection systems; recognize, trace, and correct instrument malfunctions and sources or error using electronic test equipment; operate data acquisition equipment and personal computers; work with hand tools and soldering equipment; keep records, edit data, and prepare reports; and carry and lift instruments to test site heights in the laboratory or at field locations.
Instrument Technician, Air Quality
(Range C)
Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles underlying the construction, operation, and use of scientific electronic microprocessor-based air pollution measuring instruments, complete air pollution monitoring systems, data acquisition systems, and air quality sample collection systems.
Ability to: All of the above, and review and prepare specifications for air pollution measuring instrumentation, meteorological measuring equipment, and data acquisition systems; assist engineers in designing new equipment involved in air pollution monitoring and develop new or improved sampling techniques; lead over lower level technicians in the installation and operation of complete air monitoring stations and/or source test instrumentation; read plans, blueprints, and electrical wiring diagrams and make rough drawings and sketches.
Additional Desirable Qualifications
Education equivalent to completion of the 12th grade and completion of a two-year training program in electronics at a recognized, accredited technical school.
