Under the supervision of the Print Shop Manager, the Press Operator IV sets-up and operates, performs preventive maintenance and repairs on a wide variety of printing, bindery and related equipment; and serves as working leader to Press Room personnel; work in this class involves, as a major assignment the set-up, operation and maintenance of single and multi-unit sheet-fed and web-fed offset presses of high precision and high performance, in the 26" x 40" sheet size range, to produce work of excellent quality, such as: four-color process, duo-tones, multi-color posterizations, halftones, screen tints and other types of screens of fine dot resolution, solids of heavy coverage, fake color, coated and uncoated paper stocks ranging from 9 pound onion skin to 4 ply board. Also on-line operations such as: perforating, scoring, numbering and employee may also be required to perform any other type of work which can be effectively achieved within their grade designation. Characteristically work involves accurate or tight registration and is considered difficult. Employee must also be fully capable to perform the various operations related to "letter press" work. Employees in this class are also required to operate any other equipment in the lower Press and Bindery grades. General supervision is received from the Production Coordinator, or person designated by the Manager of Printing Services. Work assignments are carried out independently in accordance with established methods, techniques, and procedures however; operator is required to solve unusual or very difficult machine problems that require deviation from the standard work practices.   

 

Sets-up, makes ready, operates, and performs preventive maintenance and repairs on Multi-Unit printing presses, in the 26" X 40" sheet size range;

Sets-up, operates and performs preventive maintenance and repairs to any Letter Press, Web, and Sheet-fed presses in the shop, as designated for lower press operator grades;

Sets-up, operates and performs preventive maintenance and repairs to any lower grade bindery equipment in the shop;

Performs mechanical overhauls to a variety of printing and bindery equipment;

Pays special attention to all details that will insure production of excellent quality work;

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 the minimum Industry and Printing Services production and quality standards;

Trains lower grade employees, and assists in their supervision;

Performs Camera, Stripping and Plate making operations, as required;

Performs routine clerical tasks incident to the work;

Adheres to and follows all safety regulations as established for the Department;

Performs material handling tasks as required;

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

Performs other related duties as assigned. 

 

 

Thorough knowledge of the set-up, operation, maintenance and repair of printing, bindery and related printing equipment;

Thorough knowledge of paper, inks, chemicals and other supplies used in the printing trade;

Ability to operate equipment so as to achieve excellent quality and meet the prescribed level of production;

Thorough knowledge in the use of electronic plate makers and direct image processors; thorough knowledge in the preparation and use of chemicals, inks and other supplies utilized in the printing field;

Thorough knowledge of camera, stripping and plate making operations; thorough knowledge of letter press operations;

Thorough knowledge of Bindery III operations; employee will be expected to learn, within a reasonable amount of time, the set-up, operation, operators' preventive maintenance of any new or more complex equipment which is designated to be particular Grade level;

Ability to understand  and follow oral or written instructions;

Ability to make complex arithmetical computations and understand various dimensional units of measure contained in work orders;

Ability to perform assigned clerical tasks;

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

Ability to stand for prolonged periods while operating and/or monitoring equipment; and

Ability to continually, stand, walk, stoop, bend, reach and sufficient strength to permit the handling of supplies and equipment used.

 

 

 

High School diploma, preferably supported by trade school/and or training as provided by equipment manufacturers; with a minimum of ten (10) years in the printing field, of which five (5) years (10,000 hours), must be in offset press equipment in the 26" x 40" sheet size range, producing work of excellent quality, and at least three (3) years (6,000 hours) as a Press Operator III in the 23" x 29" sheet size range; complete familiarity of four-color process and work of excellent quality. Extensive mechanical ability and understanding of basic laws of physics and chemistry as related to the printing industry; or any combination of experience and training which provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

 

 

 

Incumbent must be a Certified Fork Lift Operator, or must be able to pass the test required for such certification.

 

 

 

The Press Operator IV serves as working leader for Press Room and Bindery personnel and might fill in during the absence of the Production Control Coordinator, or the Manager of Printing Services.

 

 

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.   



None.