State of Maryland

A Metrologist Trainee is the entry level of specialized laboratory work learning to develop and perform technical regulatory measurement studies.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from the laboratory program manager.  Work is performed in a laboratory setting and employees may be required to lift and move up to 100 pounds.  The work may require travel to perform field examinations and inspections and employees may be required to work evenings or 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 Metrologist Trainee is differentiated from the Metrologist I on the basis of supervisory controls exercised by the supervisor over these positions.  The Metrologist Trainee performs duties under close supervision while the Metrologist I performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to perform laboratory work involving physical measurement of mass (weight), volume, length, temperature, and other related measurements including the proper care and handling of measurement standards and the use of sensitive instruments;

Learns to inspect, repair, test and adjust field equipment and weighing and measuring devices used by the State and others to maintain conformity to standards and regulations enforced by State law;

Learns to calibrate instruments and perform tolerance tests on a wide range of equipment used as measurement standards;

Assists Metrologists in setting up experiments to develop measurement standards, to conduct measurement studies or to determine the effect of environmental change on measurement techniques and devices;

Learns to perform measurements and calculations of the State of Maryland’s primary physical standards for traceability to the federal standards, to intercompare laboratory standards, and to perform required National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) laboratory auditing tests;

Learns to inspect and test packaged commodities in the laboratory when field testing is deemed inappropriate;

Learns to maintain the State laboratories according to NIST procedures and practices;

Learns to prepare written reports on the results of tests;

May travel throughout the State in order to perform field examinations;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of algebra, geometry, and physics sufficient to be able to learn to measure mass, volume, length and temperature;

Ability to learn the characteristics, functions and use of standard weighing and measuring devices;

Ability to learn laws and regulations applicable to primary and secondary standards of measurement;

Ability to learn metrology laboratory procedures and techniques used in calibrating and testing measurement devices;

Ability to learn to make analytical determinations based on observations, technical procedures and the use of measurement laboratory equipment;

Ability to learn to interpret and apply technical guidelines, specifications, regulations and laws applicable to testing and certification of measurement equipment;

Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental staff, the general public and industry representatives.

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

Experience: One year of experience inspecting weighing and measuring devices for conformance to regulatory standards or using measurement devices and instruments to determine physical measurement of weight (mass), volume, length and temperature.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional education at an accredited college or university in engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, mathematics or related fields at the rate of sixteen (16) credit hours for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Medical Laboratory classifications or Medical Laboratory specialty codes in the Medical Technologist field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.   

1. Applicants for this classification may be given a medical examination and may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform the work required of the position prior to appointment.

2. Employees in this classification must successfully complete an in-service training program approved by the hiring agency prior to permanent appointment to a position in this classification.

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.

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 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.