04/10/1997 70420

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES INSPECTOR

DEFINITION: This is inspection and testing work to insure compliance with State Weights and Measures Laws and Regulations in the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this class conducts a variety of tests and inspections to determine the accuracy and suitability of devices used to measure commodities for sale by weight, volume, or linear dimensions, fuel dispensers and timing devices. Work includes conducting tests based on state standards to determine if the weighing or measuring device is accurate within the allowed tolerance and that the physical arrangement and placement are in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations. Work involves the acceptance and sealing of approved devices and the rejection and condemning of inaccurate devices. Work also includes the inspecting and testing of large capacity weighing and measuring devices including vehicle, livestock, hopper, platform, monorail, and animal scales, as well as vehicle tank meters for measuring petroleum, load rack meters, liquid petroleum gas and compressed natural gas vehicle fueling points. Work involves checking the stated weight, volume, or count on store or manufacturer-packed commodities utilizing a computerized package checking system at retail, warehouse or point of production to ensure compliance with net content requirements. Work may include providing on-the-job advice and assistance to newly appointed weights and measures inspectors, certified examiners and joint inspection activities with city and county sealers of weights and measures. Employees present reported information in courtroom proceeding against violators of weights and measures laws and regulations. Work is performed with considerable independence in the conduct of the inspection and is reviewed by supervisors through reports, observation, and conferences for conformance to approved inspection techniques, procedures, and standards.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Conducts examination and inspection of commercial weighing and measurement devices, selecting samples and conducting tests on packages found at retail stores, institutions, distributors and packing plants to determine conformance with labeled net contents.

Tests retail and wholesale mechanical and electronic scales ranging in weight capacity from 50 gram precious metal scales to a 100 ton vehicle scale.

Inspects and test retail and wholesale liquid measuring devices including motor fuel dispensers, tank meters on delivery trucks, load rack meters, propane and compressed natural gas vehicle fueling points.

Inspects and tests grain moisture meters and fabric measuring devices as well as timing devices such as parking meters, laundry dryers, car washes, compressor machines and price verification of universal code scanners and price look-up devices.

Tests prepackaged commodities for accurate quantity utilizing computerized electronic package checking systems based on agency standards.

Conducts quality assurance reviews of actions taken by weights and measures certified examiners to determine compliance with weights and measures regulations.

Investigates consumer complaints in reference to and the method of sale of bulk items, including firewood, coal, and bulk meat.

Recommends prosecution or other official action for violation of State Weights and Measures Laws and Regulations.

Prepares documentation and evidence for presentation to magistrates on summary cases and represents the Commonwealth in court hearings at the summary level.

Prepares weekly and monthly reports as well as future inspections schedule.

Recommends inspection schedule to the supervisor to insure inspection of all devices on a regular schedule as recommended in the law.

Performs related work as required by supervisor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the laws, rules, and regulations that apply to small and large capacity weights and measures.

Knowledge of the design, construction, and operation of commonly used commercial weighing and measuring devices.

Knowledge of common business practices, effective methods of investigation and the basic rules of evidence.

Skill in the use of state standards for weight, volume, and linear measure.

Ability to compute price and weight data on point-of-scale computerized devices.

Ability to explain pertinent provisions of the weights and measures laws and departmental rules and regulations.

Ability to enforce laws and regulations with firmness and tact.

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and contact with the public and related industry people.

Ability to convey verbally as well as in writing directives, results of investigations, and explanations of procedures followed.

Ability to operate and protect all equipment assigned to perform regular job duties.

Ability to prepare reports, and present cases and testify at judicial proceedings.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four years of public contact work, including one year of experience in weights and measures inspections; and graduation from high school.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the applicant with the requisite knowledge and skills and abilities with weights and measures inspections.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: A valid commercial driver's license (CDL) supplemented by endorsements may be required for certain positions.