State of Maryland

A Graphic Arts Specialist is the supervisory level work in the field of graphic art for the Division of Printing and Publications of the Department of General Services.  Employees in this classification are responsible for all material designed and produced by the Graphic Arts Section and for the selection and awarding of those projects requiring an outside artist or commercial art studio.  Employees in this classification are responsible for maintaining the quality of material emanating from the Graphic Arts Section.   Employees in this classification provide consultation services to agencies requesting graphic arts work and determines the most effective and economical method to achieve agency requirements.  Employees in this classification supervise Graphic Artists, Varitypists and other graphic personnel assigned to the Graphic Arts Section.

Employees in this classification receive general direction from the Manager, Printing and Publications.

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. 

Advises and assists personnel of various State agencies in determining the most effective means of presenting graphic arts material;

Supervises the quality of work of any outside artist and/or commercial art studio preparing material under State contract;

Selects and awards those projects requiring an outside artist and/or commercial art studio;

Establishes and maintains quality standards for all graphic arts material utilized in State Service;

Supervises and participates in the production of layouts, designs and graphic art work; the preparation of color separated mechanical art work and paste-ups; the selection of proper typography as appropriate for each project; the selection of paper stock and ink as appropriate for each layout;

Supervises activities of subordinate graphic arts, printing and reproduction personnel;

Keeps abreast of new and modern methods, techniques, and developments in the graphic arts field;

Estimates cost of graphic art work produced by State facilities and also costs as proposed by commercial sources;

Performs other necessary duties as required.

Knowledge of the methods of operation of commercial art studios;

Knowledge of the relationship between graphic arts and printing;

Knowledge of the various media employed by graphic artists for producing graphic arts work;

Ability to prepare layouts, designs, and graphic artwork;

Ability to develop various types of illustrations such as line art, technical, half tone, color, etc.;

Ability to properly use and maintain various pieces of graphic art equipment including photo-lettering machines, photostate machines, dry mount press, airbrush, etc.;

Ability to prepare color separated mechanical art work and paste-ups as required in printing reproductions;

Ability to select and specify proper typography as required in each project;

Ability to select appropriate paper stock and ink as required in each layout;

Ability to estimate approximate cost of graphic arts work produced by subordinate staff;

Ability to select the appropriate commercial artist or art studio for particular projects;

Ability to work harmoniously with others;

Ability to meet production and quality requirements within established deadlines.

Experience: Ten years of experience in the field of commercial or graphic publication art as a designer, illustrator or graphic artist. Four years of this experience must have been in a supervisory capacity responsible for the successful and efficient completion of such work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from an accredited college or university and six years of experience in the field of commercial or graphic publication art as a designer, illustrator or graphic artist for the required experience. Four years of this experience must have been in a supervisory capacity responsible for the successful and efficient completion of such work.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Office Drafting classifications or Office Drafting specialty codes in the Information and Arts 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 assigned to Bargaining Unit B- Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.