Under the supervision of the Print Shop Manager, the Press Operator II sets up and operates letter press and sheet-fed offset equipment up to the 17½" x 22½" sheet size range to produce work of high quality such as: color Process work, to include screen tints, solids, embossing, foil stamping, numbering, on various sizes and types stock; characteristically work involves close registration and is considered average.  Employees in this class may also be required to perform printing functions of ordinary degree of difficulty. Normal supervision is received from the Production Control Expeditors, operator of higher grade level, or person designated by the Manager of Printing Services. The employee receives work assignments in the form of oral or written work orders and sketches from their supervisor or a designated higher graded operator. Work assignments are carried out independently in accordance with established methods, techniques, and procedures.  Completed work is spot-checked for compliance to specifications; the supervisor or designated person is usually available to provide technical advice and assistance with machine issues that require deviation from the standard work practices.   

 

Sets-up, makes ready and operates any sheet-fed offset press in the 17½" x 22½" sheet size range;

May set-up, make ready and operate any other printing press in the shop up to the 17½" x 22½" sheet size range;

Performs all operators' adjustments and routine preventive maintenance on equipment as prescribed and/or needed;

Pays special attention to positioning of image, registration, consistent color balance, dot structure of screen tints and ink coverage of solids;

Makes metal and other types of printing plates as required;

Continuously monitors and makes necessary adjustments to equipment to insure conformance to given job specifications in order to minimize waste and spoilage;

Accurately records all time and materials incident to the various operations performed in the production of each job;

Maintains established production and quality standards, within the press room;

Performs routine operations necessary to complete requests for services in accordance to given instructions and/or job specifications;

Operates and utilizes bindery equipment to produce various routine binding and finishing operations and performs material handling tasks as required;

Under supervision, may assist or by trained in the operation of any other press room or bindery equipment of a more complex nature;

Operates electrostatic copiers, as required;

Performs routine clerical tasks, incident to the work;

Maintains work area to be clean, orderly, and hazard free; and

Performs related duties as assigned. 

 

 

Considerable knowledge of the operation, adjustment and operator's preventive maintenance of letter press, and sheet-fed offset presses in the 17½" x 22½" sheet size range including automated duplicating systems and offset duplicators in the 12" x 18" sheet size range, electrostatic plate makers and direct image processors;

Considerable knowledge in the preparation and use of chemicals, inks, and other supplies utilized in the printing field;

Ability to learn, within a reasonable amount of time, the set-up, operation, operators' preventive maintenance of any equipment which is designated to be within the employees' particular classification and grade level;

Ability to understand and follow instructions by means of written forms of communication;

Ability to make arithmetical computations and be familiar with mathematics and units of measure to understand dimensional requirements contained on work orders;

Ability to perform assigned clerical tasks and to adhere to prescribed routine;

Ability to work under pressure and meet short term deadlines; and

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow workers.

 

 

 

High School diploma, preferably supported by trade school/and or training as provided by equipment manufacturers; a minimum of three (3) years (6,000 hours) in the operation of offset presses in the 17½" x 22½" sheet size range, and a minimum of one (1) year, 2,000 hours of letter press, producing work of medium quality; or a combination of experience and training which provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

 

 

None Required.

 

May assist in training, and provides guidance to other employees of same or lesser grade level.

 

 

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to spend prolonged periods of time standing during the operation of binding equipment while performing bindery operations. Employees in this class continually lift, carry, or otherwise handle printed material and paper stock weighing up to 40 lbs. and, occasionally, items or materials weighing up to 80 lbs. without the help of any mechanical devices, and up to 2,000 lbs. when utilizing mechanical devices such as fork-lifts or pallet-jacks. There is frequent stooping, bending, and reaching to make machine adjustments, remove misrouted materials and other operational activities. In most instances the employee is required to maintain a work pace consistent with the speed of operating machinery and/or the needs of the other workers.




Other
  The work environment characteristics described above are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee is exposed to low frequency noise generated by machine operations and vibrations during production periods.  The operator is exposed to skin irritations and unpleasant fumes/odors from inks, solvents acids, and other chemicals normally associated with pressroom operations.  Also the operator is exposed to the possibility of minor cuts from paper products and more severe injuries such as broken bones and severe bruises and lacerations from high speed machine operations, if established safety procedures are not strictly adhered to.   



None.