GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

The PHOTOCOMPOSITION SPECIALIST employs experience and special training to correctly encode/format hard or soft copy material to meet photocomposition standards for the further processing and printing of materials by printing plant.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single classification and not currently part of a series of classes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.       Encoding.  Typical tasks:  reviews work order and hard or soft copy of draft material to determine desired margins, headings, indents, page numbers, type style, and size as well as spacing and positioning of graphic materials; consults with supervisor, author, or editors to clarify directions when necessary; keys in correctly coded material from hard copy or converts soft copy formats to appropriate photocomposition formats at a word processing or computer terminal; provides consultation and advice regarding unusual publication or document formats as they relate to photocomposition standards; obtains advice and direction from Printing Division photocomposition coordinator or typesetting/composition supervisor in higher education printing plant to resolve difficult or unusual coding/formatting problems; may develop agency or unit manuals or guides pertaining to photocomposition standards such as templates for book building programs; provides advice and instruction to other agency staff in modifying existing or creating new word processing programs to meet photocomposition standards.

2.       Copy Proofing.  Typical tasks:  proofreads galley (hard copy may be produced through on site printer or from Printing Division) to identify and correct errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, format, visual appearance and readability; corrections may be made manually on hard copy or through a terminal keyboard on soft copy; returns proofed galley to printing plant for final printing (may be via direct modem connection electronically or by sending hard copy to Printing Division or higher education printing plant).

3.       Paste Up.  Typical tasks:  cuts and pastes typeset proofs to create final press ready product, determines margins and enlargement or reduction percentages of photographs and artwork supplied; positions type and artwork to meet specifications; determines imposition and alignment of camera ready copy, lays out and pastes up signatures for several methods of production.

4.       Systems Maintenance and Operation.  Typical tasks:  maintains accurate production records on a daily basis; consults and coordinates with agency specialists on new electronic systems and procedures which may affect photocomposition operations; trains employees to understand and use photocomposition coding systems and equipment; maintains contact and coordination with Printing Division or higher education printing plant regarding changes or developments in photocomposition systems or procedures; maintains current of knowledge of process and procedures by attending training when available and may participate in informal user group meetings to exchange information and experience; may monitor computerized photocomposition control panel and CRT screen indicators to know when receipt of in‑house or telecommunicated data is complete; keys in directions to computer to typeset completed copy received, monitors process to catch any errors, corrects errors or contacts system operator to remedy problem; loads magnetic tape into drive unit, makes back up tape of days work.

5.       Miscellaneous.  Typical tasks:  depending on agency or unit assignment, may operate on‑site modem and direct transmission equipment tied to the Printing Division or higher education printing plant; may operate local interfaced printer systems to make own galleys or receive galley proofs direct from Printing Division or higher education printing plant; may be responsible for completing printing job orders for agency and to provide liaison with Printing Division or higher education printing plant staff; may operate optical character scanning equipment (key in or recover text and codes for tape production); may perform routine word processing duties as time permits; some positions may work with specialized legal document formats and update and train others in the use of computerized legal resource systems (Oregon Legislative Information System, Westlaw legal research on‑line terminal).

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

Employees in this position have frequent daily in‑person or telephone contact with agency staff to provide or obtain information related to materials, processes, or procedures involved in photocomposition activities.  The employee will have regular telephone or in‑person contact with technical staff of the printing division or a higher education printing plant to obtain advice or information about materials being processed or problems with the system operation.  There is occasional telephone or in‑person contact with agency specialists in programs or systems to clarify operations processes and procedures they relate to the photocomposition operation.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Employees in this class receive general supervision and work assignments from a unit supervisor or manager.  Once proficient in coding and systems operation the employee will work with a high degree of independence.  Depending on the nature of the assignment work may be reviewed in progress or as completed for accuracy, timeliness, and conformance to agency policy procedure and operational guidelines.  The employee is guided by technical manuals related to equipment and system operations as well as coding and formatting guides and agency policy and procedure manuals.  The employee is further guided through consultation with technical specialists within the agency on programming or processing problems of materials and with technical staff at the printing division or higher education printing plant regarding photocomposition system standards and operations when needed.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Positions are generally found in the production environment of a printing plant.  They require the willingness to work in the environment associated with the position's location including occasionally working for long periods at a desk or work station reading a computer terminal screen and the noise and heat of word processing equipment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSA)

 

          General knowledge of uses, capabilities, and interrelationships of word

                   processing hardware and software.

          Basic knowledge of proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, and

                   capitalization.

          Basic knowledge of typesetting codes and related terminology.

          Basic knowledge of the security systems for computer stored information.

          Basic knowledge of the resources available to resolve difficult problems

                   in photocomposition operations.

          Basic knowledge of standard proofreader marks and symbols.

 

          Skill in using dictionaries, handbooks, and other reference material.

          Skill in formatting correspondence, manuscripts, including those with

                   footnotes, statistical data, charts, outlines, speeches, and reports.

          Skill in working independently away from authors, using own judgment in

                   discerning content errors, priorities, and formats for projects.

          Skill in production typing.

          Skill in proofreading work accurately, correcting errors in initial

                   preparation stages.

          Skill in interpreting and transcribing from dictation media.

          Skill in basic math and measurement conversion (pica pole/proport wheel).

 

          Ability to teach others technical subject matter related to photo

                   composition operations.

          Ability to provide quality work under tight time frames.

          Ability to work effectively for more than one person.

          Ability to maintain harmonious working relationships in a team environment

                   or with individuals.

          Ability to recognize the need for system/format changes and initiate draft

                   changes.

          Ability to monitor use of systems and equipment against security

                   standards, policies and procedures.

          Ability to utilize capabilities of word processing hardware and software

                   to develop program applications, new program designs, and correct program/logic errors.

          Ability to analyze system and equipment problems and repair needs.

          Ability to analyze a variety of operational information to develop and

                   interpret policies, procedures, and guidelines.

          Ability to understand and synthesize user needs in the development of new

                   systems or revision of existing systems.

          Ability to observe and apply State and agency laws, rules, and guides.

          Ability to observe and apply equipment and product manuals, guides, and

                   directions.

          Ability to keep current via training, reading, and attending user groups.

 

          NOTE:         The KNOWLEDGE and SKILLS are required for initial consideration.  ABILITIES may be required for initial consideration, at any time during the selection process, or during a trial service period as a final stage of the selection process.  Some duties performed by positions in this class may require different KSA's.  No attempt is made to describe every KSA required for all positions in this class.  Additional KSA requirements will be explained on the recruiting announcement.

 

Adopted 1/90

 

Revised

 

Examples of work are typical of duties assigned to this class.  No attempt is made to describe every duty performed by all positions in this class.