02/08/2007 15710

METROLOGIST

DEFINITION: This is professional metrology laboratory work.

An employee in this class calibrates and certifies standards of weights and measures to be used by state and local weights and measures inspectors, industries and law enforcement agencies to ensure they comply with the standards of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Work requires the application of laboratory techniques and the use of federally approved procedures and laboratory equipment to test, calibrate, and certify weighing, timing, linear, and volumetric measuring devices and standards. Work includes performing calculations on tests, preparing reports on the results of the tests and providing advice on measurement problems and requirements. Work assignments are made with general instructions and employee proceeds independently within broad administrative guidelines and federal standards. Work is reviewed for overall effectiveness and satisfactory completion of goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes, and conducts calibration and certification in the Pennsylvania Standards Laboratory and on-site.

Certifies and calibrates the Field Standards of state, county and municipal officials and the working standards for industry.

Conducts training for weights and measures personnel on the use, maintenance, repair and calibration of metrological devices.

Performs precision calibrations and tolerance tests on standards of mass, length, volume and time submitted by private industry and law enforcement agencies.

Maintains the primary state standards for mass, length and volume, as well as supplementary equipment to ensure current traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD.

Compares field standards utilized by county and city Sealers of Weights and Measures against state standards.

Maintains control charts for laboratory equipment and interprets the significant statistical variations.

Participates in the Northeast Measurement Assurance Program (NEMAP), a regional organization of the Office of Weights and Measures (OWM) at NIST, to aid in the continuing evaluation of the laboratory's control measurements.

Performs certification of wheel load weighers, used by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Pennsylvania State Police and municipal police departments in enforcing vehicle weight laws.

Conducts special laboratory tests to determine the volumetric capacity of containers, used to hold commodities, to insure that the quantity statement on the label is correct.

Uses a personal computer and application programs to make calculations, to prepare reports, to maintain control charts and to perform other metrological duties.

Provides consultative services on weighing and measuring to quality control engineers and other industry representatives. Utilizes state standards of weights and measures to compare, test, calibrate and certify or reject field and industrial standards. Advises on measurement problems and requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the laboratory methods and procedures of metrology.

Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, regulations and policies dealing with the maintenance and use of weight and measurement standards.

Knowledge of current information technology equipment and software in the field of metrology.

Knowledge of conversion of measurement units.

Skill in the use of laboratory equipment.

Skill in the use of metrological standards.

Ability to perform calibration and tolerance tests on precision standards of mass, length, volume and time.

Ability to prepare accurate and concise laboratory reports.

Ability to successfully complete the basic and intermediate metrology courses offered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, law enforcement officials, industrial representatives and the general public.

Ability to use personal computers and statistical software to perform computations and other metrological duties.

Ability to interpret statistical formulas.

Ability to perform algebraic and statistical computations.

Ability to make measurements with repeatable precision.

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A bachelor's degree in engineering, physics or mathematics and one year of professional experience in a metrology laboratory;

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An associates degree in metrology and three years of professional experience in a metrology laboratory. Weights and measures enforcement experience may be substituted for education at the rate of one year of experience for one year of education.