State of Maryland

A Chief Amusement Ride Inspector is the managerial 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 directly supervise Amusement Ride Inspector Supervisors and through them lower-level Amusement Ride Inspectors.

Employees in this classification receive managerial supervision from a Safety Inspection Program Manager.  The work is performed both in normal office surroundings and in amusement parks, carnivals and outdoor sites in extreme weather conditions of heat, cold, wind and snow and where working conditions may be dirty, dusty or uncomfortable.  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 Chief Amusement Ride Inspector is differentiated from the Amusement Ride Inspector Supervisor in that the Chief Amusement Ride Inspector supervises Amusement Ride Inspector Supervisors and is responsible for the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Amusement Ride Safety Program while the Amusement Ride Inspector Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Amusement Ride Inspectors.

Plans, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the work of Amusement Ride Inspector Supervisors;

Trains Amusement Ride Inspector Supervisors;

Evaluates the operation of the Amusement Ride Safety Inspection Program;

Directs and coordinates all statewide operations that involve safety inspections on amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and other related devices;

Develops and administers program policies, regulations, and standards relating to inspection procedures, reporting procedures, and office protocol;

Promotes the work of the department through frequent contact with members of the Governor’s Advisory Board, Maryland State Showmen’s Association, Amusement Ride Owners, Amusement Park Managers, and State and County Fair Managers;

Informs upper management about the daily operations of the Amusement Ride Unit and recommends solutions to problems or concerns within the program;

Reviews documents submitted from Amusement Ride Owners, Fair Managers, Ride Manufacturers, Attorneys, and the general public for compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the exchange of information;

Prepares or assists the program administrator in the preparation of the budget for the Amusement Ride Safety Inspection Program;

Provides technical and administrative guidance and direction to internal and external customers with respect to inspection procedures and requirements as outlined in the law and regulations;

Represents the Amusement Ride Safety Inspection Program in a liaison capacity with elected officials, appointed government officials, program managers in governmental departments in Maryland and in neighboring states;

Documents, prepares, and submits all supervisory, administrative, and summary reports demonstrating the program’s activity and efficiency;

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

Reviews submitted inspection reports, accident reports, and daily summary reports for conformance and correct office protocol;

May testify in administrative hearings or court cases involving alleged violations of Amusement Ride Safety investigations;

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;

Skill in interpreting and explaining applicable laws, rules, regulations and codes pertaining to the safety of amusement rides, go carts, handicapped lifts, hoists, and related devices;

Skill in conducting efficient and effective inspections of amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices;

Skill in preparing accurate and concise reports;

Ability to plan, coordinate, supervise, and evaluate the activities of amusement Ride Inspector Supervisors;

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: Seven 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. Four years of experience must have been in the inspection of amusement attractions, vertical, inclined and stairway chair lifts, personnel hoists, and related devices for a federal, state, or local regulatory inspection program or private entity performing similar work. One year of this experience must have included training, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of staff performing safety inspections on amusement rides and related devices.

Note: Candidates may substitute additional experience performing safety inspections of amusement rides 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.

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 possess Level 1, 2, or 3 certification from the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials or equivalent certification through an accredited engineering or technical certification program prior to appointment and are required to maintain certification through continued education and training while employed.

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 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 (excluded by agency), 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 from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and therefore, all positions in those agencies are excluded form collective bargaining.