State of Maryland

A Metrologist I is the full performance level of specialized laboratory work developing and performing technical regulatory measurement studies.  Employees in this class are responsible for conducting the standing operating calibrations and measurements throughout the laboratory.  Employees in this classification may instruct and perform work with lower level laboratory employees but do not supervise other Metrologists.

Employees in this classification receive general 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 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 Metrologist I is differentiated from Metrologist Trainee in that the Metrologist I performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision while the Metrologist Trainee performs duties under close supervision.  The Metrologist I is differentiated from the Metrologist II in that the Metrologist II performs duties of an exceptional nature or assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Metrologists.

Performs 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;

Inspects, repairs, tests and adjusts field equipment and weighing and measuring devices used by the State and others to maintain conformity to standards and regulations enforced by State law;

Calibrates instruments and performs tolerance tests on a wide range of equipment used as measurement standards;

Sets up experiments to conduct measurement studies, to develop measurement standards or to determine the effects of environmental change on measurement techniques and devices;

Performs measurements and calculations of the State of Maryland's primary physical standards for traceability to the federal standards, intercompares laboratory standards and performs required National Institute of Technology (NIST) laboratory auditing tests;

Inspects and tests packaged commodities in the laboratory when field testing is deemed inappropriate;

Maintains the State laboratories according to NIST procedures and practices;

Assists the Metrologist II in prototype calibrations and in testing devices not typically encountered in commercial weights and measures;

Assists the laboratory program manager in implementing policies and procedures for laboratory operations and in selecting new equipment for the laboratory;

Assists in preparing certificates of accuracy, test reports, letters, weekly activity reports and client billings;

Writes reports for routine tests conducted in the laboratory;

May travel throughout the State to perform field work and may travel to other states to participate in training and laboratory certification programs;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of algebra, geometry and physics as they relate to measuring mass, volume, length and temperature;

Knowledge of the characteristics, functions and use of standard weighing and measuring devices;

Knowledge of laws and regulations applicable to primary and secondary standards of measurements;

Knowledge of procedures and techniques used in calibrating and testing measurement devices;

Knowledge of metrology laboratory procedures;

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

Ability to interpret and apply technical guidelines, specifications, regulations and laws applicable to testing and certifying measuring equipment;

Ability to use a variety of measuring tools and instruments;

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: Two years of experience in specialized laboratory work developing and performing technical regulatory measurement studies.

Notes: 

1. Candidates may substitute additional education at an accredited college or university in engineering, chemistry, physics, mathematics or related fields at the rate of sixteen (16) credit hours per year of 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 permanent appointment.

2. Applicants for this classification must satisfactorily complete the Basic Laboratory Metrology Course given by the National Institute of Standards and Technology including the assigned follow-up problems prior to permanent appointment.

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.