State of Maryland

An Amusement Ride Inspector I is the intermediate level of work in the inspection of amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists and related devices to ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations and codes and to safeguard the general public.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from an Amusement Ride Inspector Supervisor or other designated administrator.  The work is performed at amusement parks, carnivals and outdoor sites in extreme weather conditions of heat, cold, wind, and snow and with dirty and greasy equipment.  The work requires the use of specialized safety equipment such as safety shoes and gloves, protective earwear and eyewear, hardhats and fall protection.  The work requires climbing, crawling, bending and stooping in confined spaces and at great heights.

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 Amusement Ride Inspector I and Amusement Ride Inspector II are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Amusement Ride Inspector I 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 Amusement Ride Inspector II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Inspects amusement rides and attractions such as go carts, ferris wheels, roller coasters, and water slides, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and codes pertaining to the operation, maintenance, repair and safety of these devices;

Uses rulers, multimeters, amp meters and arithmetic to measure cubic footage, square footage, pressure per square inch, distance, electricity and illumination;

Conducts inspections of amusement ride attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices to investigate and resolve complaints and accidents;

Examines and inspects assembled and disassembled components of amusement rides such as bearings and pins for wear and tear;

Witnesses tests on existing and altered installations;

Prepares reports of findings and includes recommendations for correction of deficiencies;

Provides technical assistance to owners, Architects, Engineers, and ride manufacturers to resolve design, operation and safety problems related to the equipment and devices inspected;

Prepares inspection reports, that include daily activity, inspection checklist, safety order forms, and accident reports;

Maintains a library of amusement ride manufacturer manuals, codes, and regulations;

May order the termination of work or removal of specified machinery or equipment from service until violations are corrected;

May determine the time period within which a violation must be corrected;

May represent the State as a witness in administrative hearings or court cases involving alleged violations of safety standards;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the proper methods and techniques used in the installation, repair and operation of amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices;

Knowledge of the methods used in measuring cubic footage, square footage, pressure per square inch, distances, electricity and illumination;

Knowledge of the methods and procedures used for inspecting and testing amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices;

Ability to interpret and explain applicable laws, rules, regulations and codes pertaining to the safety of amusement rides, go carts, handicapped lifts, hoists, and related devices;

Ability to conduct inspections of amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices;

Ability to prepare reports;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with owners and operators of amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices.

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

Experience: Two years of experience in the construction, installation, repair, adjustment or inspection of amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience performing safety inspections of amusement attractions and related devices for a federal, state or local regulatory inspection program or private entity performing similar work 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 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement and Compliance classifications or General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement and Compliance specialty codes in the Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties may be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

2. Employees in this classification must obtain and maintain Level I certification from the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials or equivalent through an accredited engineering or technical certification program before progressing to the Amusement Ride Inspector II level.

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be reached.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

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 C, Regulatory, Inspections and Licensure 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.

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 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 levels 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 in 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.