06/22/1999 70421

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES SUPERVISOR

DEFINITION: This is professional supervisory, investigative and enforcement work related to compliance with state weights and measures laws and regulations.

An employee in this class supervises a field staff of Weights and Measures Inspectors who inspect and test all commercially used weighing and measuring devices, inspect and test wholesale and retail pre-packaged commodities and investigate consumer complaints. Work includes supervising and training local inspectors of weights and measures, providing assistance and guidance as needed. Supervision is exercised over employees who work in a district usually comprised of twenty (20) or more counties. An employee in this class has enforcement and supervisory duties as required by Act 155 and Title 70 Regulations. An employee in this class coordinates survey and research activities between headquarters and regional field staff and cooperates with federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Weights and Measures, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Food and Drug Administration. An employee in this class is a certified instructor for mandatory training courses required by Act 155. Work involves the preparing and presenting evidence of misuse in weighing or measuring devices before District Justices or the courts. Work is reviewed by an administrative supervisor through reports, conferences and observation.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes and assigns work of state and local inspectors involved in investigative work in testing commercially used weighing and measuring devices and the testing of pre-packaged commodities and the investigation of consumer complaints.

Plans the periodic inspection and testing of all commercially used weighing and measuring devices utilized in the determination of weight, measure, or count of commodities, things or services.

Conducts formal and on-the-job training for state and local field staff utilizing National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) training courses and NIST Handbooks 12,14,19,44,130, and 133.

Supervises and participates in national compliance surveys conducted by the NIST Office of Weights and Measures in cooperation with the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration.

Conducts investigations of complaints involving violations of weights and measures laws and regulations and answers requests for information regarding program responsibilities.

Conducts meetings and conferences with producers and retailers to convey the statutory requirements of weights and measures laws and regulations.

Prosecutes cases before District Magistrates or the courts.

Reviews requests for prosecution as submitted by field staff and refers it to bureau for approval. Duties involve the preparation and presentation of evidence at court proceedings involving violations of weights and measures laws and regulations.

Prepares warning letters to notify firms or individuals of violations of weights and measures laws and regulations.

Reviews employee performance through review of reports, direct observation and conferences.

Monitors and approves leave requests of all types from field staff and recommends disciplinary action to the Chief, Division of Weights and Measures.

Advises and monitors field staff on proper safety procedures and equipment as outlined in NIST Handbook #12, examination procedure outlines and the department's annual Right-To-Know training.

Duties involve operation of a desktop or laptop PC with printer and utilizing a database of inspection data.

Reviews weekly and monthly reports, expense reports, and automotive reports to insure that priority work is accomplished according to program goals and objectives.

Attends training sessions, seminars, and professional association meetings as a representative of the department. Represents the department to regulated business and makes presentations to the public, professional groups or other groups relating to weights and measures programs.

Prepares and submits detailed work records such as weekly reports, monthly activity reports, automotive use records and expense account.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of weights and measures laws, regulations and examination procedures as outlined in NIST Handbooks 12,14,19,44,130, and 133.

Knowledge of common business practices, effective methods of investigation, the basic rules of evidence and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Knowledge and skill in the maintenance and use of field standards for mass, volume, and linear measure.

Knowledge of court procedures.

Ability to perform Basic Math and Statistical Functions such as average error, percentages, common and decimal fractions, and standard deviation.

Ability to operate a desktop or laptop PC for purposes of accessing a statewide database.

Ability to plan and supervise the work of a staff of field inspectors.

Ability to explain and enforce departmental laws and regulations with firmness and tact.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, local sealers, the industry, and the general public.

Ability to complete appropriate NIST training courses pertaining to his/her duties and to teach these courses to state and local weights and measures inspectors.

Ability to lift and carry at least fifty pounds when conducting scale or fuel dispenser tests.

Ability to prosecute cases in court.

Ability to evaluate employee performance and prepare employee performance evaluation reports.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years as a Weight and Measures Inspector;

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Six years of public contact work in weights and measures inspection or commercial device installation and repair work and graduation from high school.

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