Microfilm Technician Series
California State Personnel Board Specification
Series established April 21, 1976
Scope
The Microfilm Technician series specification describes four classes in the California state service which perform or supervise microfilm services.
Definition of Series
Microfilm Technicians are engaged in the production, storage, and retrieval of microfilm and maintenance of microfilm equipment. Microforms produced include cartridges, 35mm and 16mm roll film, microfiche and aperture cards. Entry into this series typically will be at the Microfilm Technician I level.
Entry Level
Entry into this series is typically at the level of Microfilm Technician I.
Factors Affecting Position Allocation
Level of difficulty and complexity of duties; degree of supervision received and exercised; complexity of a department's microfilm production lab; type of equipment used; scope of knowledge and abilities required; and degree of independence and decision-making responsibility.
Definition of Levels
Microfilm Technician I
This is typically the entry level and training class of the series. Under general supervision, incumbents have responsibility for and participate in the operation and maintenance of photographic and film processing equipment used in a high-volume microphotography operation that requires highly accurate reduction and resolution. Microfilm Technicians I operate a variety of microfilm equipment including rotary and planetary cameras in the volume filming of records, maps, drawings and documents; diazo film duplicators and jacket fillers; photograph within close tolerance of lighting and reduction to yield microfilm images of high resolution and proper size; blip-encode film for indexing purposes; load film into various types of cartridges; use computerized data bases and retrieval systems to help locate individual microfilm images; and perform key data entry of information used to title aperture cards or to comprise a data base of fields in a computer-assisted microfilm retrieval system.
Microfilm Technicians I typically load and change camera units; feed documents into a machine; operate a reversal mechanism to film both sides of a document; insert flash cards to indicate changes in sequence or to identify documents; adjust exposure intensity and make changes in reduction ratios to established standards; clean and maintain equipment, including replacing lamps, cleaning glass and optical surfaces and making minor repairs and adjustments; ready documents by trimming and removing staples; code film boxes; keep production records; inspect and splice processed film; operate microfilm reader-viewers and reader-printers; and assist customers in locating microfilm and making copies.
Microfilm Technician II
This is the journey level of the series. Under general supervision, incumbents have responsibility for and participate in the operation and maintenance of complex photographic and film processing equipment used in a high volume microphotography operation that requires highly accurate reduction and resolution.
Incumbents in the Microfilm Technician II classification typically set camera positions to desired reduction ratios; interpolate optimal voltage settings using a light meter or book of graded samples; adjust subsurface lighting; make test films of reflectance and resolution targets to facilitate standardization of film processing; use precision instruments such as sensitometers, densitometers, and microscopes to control quality; adjust planetary cameras as needed to provide even density on all film to be processed; operate and adjust microfilm processing machines to prevent drag and to control speed of film flow through the machines; control chemical solutions and wash to insure obtaining film of archival quality; locate and correct sources of film damage from scratching, spotting and streaking or other film imperfections; control film and chemical supplies to insure fresh quality and proper storage; inspect stored film for signs of deterioration; clean and maintain the equipment and make minor repairs and adjustments; and may act in a lead capacity.
Senior Microfilm Technician
Under general supervision, incumbents supervise a small (3-9) microfilm unit of microfilm technicians and clericals. Positions can also be found in large microfilm operations where they assist a Supervising Microfilm Technician.
Senior Microfilm Technicians typically film records and documents within close tolerances of scale and resolution; coordinate camera operation and microfilm processing; supervise the photographing of test films and resolution targets for standardization of film processing; and supervise the maintenance, adjustment and repair of camera and film processing equipment.
Supervising Microfilm Technician
Under general direction, incumbents plan, organize and direct the work of a large staff (10 to 20) engaged in microfilm production and the storage and retrieval of microfilmed information.
Supervising Microfilm Technicians typically direct the work of a large staff engaged in the production of microfilm utilizing such equipment as planetary and rotary cameras, card copiers, film processors, film mounters, densitometers and microscopes; develop and maintain microfilm information retrieval systems; recommend replacement and purchase of equipment; test and evaluate new equipment and methods; direct repair and minor adjustments of equipment; advise section heads and employees on methods of reproduction most suitable to their needs; devise controls for quantity and quality production and for distribution of products; prepare the annual budget for the unit; report expenditures and production; select, train and evaluate the performance of the staff; coordinate ADP applications to microfilm retrieval systems; develop training materials; and present training sessions to departmental employees.
Minimum Qualifications
Microfilm Technician I
Either I
In the California state service, six months of experience performing duties in a class with a level of responsibility not less than that of an Office Assistant, Range A.
Or II
Completion of a formal work experience training program in machine operations administered by State, Federal or local agencies.
Or III
One year of microfilm production experience.
Microfilm Technician II
Either I
In the California state service, one year of experience performing the duties of a Microfilm Technician I, Range B.
Or II
Two years of varied and increasingly difficult microfilm production experience.
Senior Microfilm Technician
Either I
In the California state service, one year of experience performing the duties of a Microfilm Technician II.
Or II
In the California state service, two years of experience performing the duties of a Microfilm Technician I, Range B.
Or III
Three years of increasingly complex microfilm experience, at least one year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.
Supervising Microfilm Technician
Either I
In the California state service, one year of experience performing the duties of a Senior Microfilm Technician.
Or II
Four years of increasingly complex microfilm experience, at least two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.
Knowledge and Abilities
Microfilm Technician I
Knowledge of: Microfilm equipment operation; microfilm processing; aperture card production; microfiche and microthin jacket preparation; reproduction of microfilm; preparation of duplicate copies of microforms; the safety and health policies and procedures contained in the department's injury and illness prevention program; basic safe work practices.
Ability to: Communicate at a level required for successful job performance; carry out oral and written directions; understand the operation of technical equipment; follow prescribed routine and quality control standards.
Microfilm Technician II
Knowledge of: All the above and photographic processes; indexing and data retrieval systems; planetary and rotary cameras; film processors; densitometers.
Ability to: Perform all of the above and the more difficult phases of microfilm work, including producing to scale and reproducing faded and damaged material; direct a subunit; train other employees in the techniques of microfilm production; operate, adjust and make minor repairs to microfilm equipment; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Senior Microfilm Technician
Knowledge of: All of the above and limits and capabilities of equipment; current developments in methods, materials and equipment used in microphotography; general and film filing and retrieval systems; automatic data processing as applied to file indexing and retrieval systems; principles and techniques of personnel management; all basic reproduction methods; department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a supervisor's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives; the basic safety and health regulations contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 8 Industrial Relations, General Industry Safety Orders; a supervisor's role in maintaining an effective injury and illness prevention program.
Ability to: All of the above and work independently; supervise and coordinate the work of subordinates; design and modify efficient microfilm storage systems; and communicate effectively; effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives.
Supervising Microfilm Technician
Knowledge of: All of the above.
Ability to: All of the above and apply creativity in the design and modification of complex microfilm filing and retrieval systems; plan a budget; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
Alternate Range Criteria
These criteria will be used to allocate incumbents to Alternate Range A or Range B.
Range A. This Range shall apply to incumbents who do not meet the criteria for payment in Range B.
Range B. This Range shall apply to persons who have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of six months of Microfilm Technician I, Range A, experience or have six months of experience in operating and maintaining a variety of microfilm equipment including a rotary camera, diazo film duplicator, jacket filler and reader.
When the requirements for movement to Range B are met and upon recommendation of the appointing power, the employee shall receive the rate of Range B, under provisions of State Personnel Board Rule 98.3 and a new salary adjustment anniversary date will be established.
Class History
