State of Maryland

A Public Service Commission (PSC) Common Carrier Inspector I is the entry level of work performing on-site inspections of the vehicles and equipment used by taxicabs, sedans, vans, buses and limousines to determine if the vehicles and other equipment of the carrier are being operated and maintained in accordance with the laws, regulations and schedules promulgated by the Public Service Commission.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from higher-level administrators.  Employees may be assigned to day, evening, night or rotating shifts which may include holidays and weekends.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The PSC Common Carrier Inspector I, PSC Common Carrier Inspector II and PSC Common Carrier Inspector III are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The PSC Common Carrier Inspector I learns to perform duties under close supervision. The PSC Common Carrier Inspector II performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed. The PSC Common Carrier Inspector III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Conducts safety inspections of taxicabs, sedans, vans, buses and limousines which include but are not limited to the following items: taximeters, lights, brakes, exhaust systems, steering and suspension systems, tires, coupling devices, frames, electrical systems, and general body conditions to ensure compliance with safety, legal and regulatory requirements;

Operates mechanical testing and measuring devices used in testing common carrier vehicles and equipment to assure the safe condition of such equipment;

Inspects vehicle maintenance records of carriers to ensure that an adequate vehicle maintenance program is in effect;

Investigates complaints from the public to determine deviations from approved schedules, routes or rates of public transportation;

Interprets and applies provisions of Public Service Commission rules, policies and procedures in the conduct of safety inspections;

Investigates complaints from the public to determine if the public transportation equipment is defective;

Testifies at administrative proceedings, such as Commission hearings or in a court of law, regarding safety inspection decisions;

Informs common carrier owners and operators of the Public Service Commission laws, rules and regulations for the purpose of preventing future violations;

Communicates with police using communications devices in order to pull over and inspect unsafe vehicles on the road;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the basic methods and techniques applicable to the inspection and testing of vehicles and other common carrier equipment for safe operation;

Knowledge of the elements of accepted vehicle maintenance programs;

Knowledge of federal motor carrier safety regulations;

Knowledge of Maryland Public Service Commission regulations and procedures;

Ability to perform effective safety inspections of common carrier vehicles;

Ability to use good judgment in determining those vehicles to be removed from operation;

Ability to use a variety of inspection equipment, devices and apparatus for testing;

Ability to prepare and present accurate and concise reports of inspections;

Ability to work effectively with owners, operators and employees of common carriers and public transportation companies.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience in the repair and maintenance of gasoline or diesel-powered motor vehicles or in the inspection of such vehicles for the purpose of ensuring their safe operating condition.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience as described above on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Diesel Mechanic classifications or Vehicle System/Tank Maintainer or Fire Control/Tank Vehicle Repairs or Vehicle/Vehicle Equipment Maintenance specialty codes in the vehicle mechanics field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.