As the state of Washington, Department of Agriculture Approved Signatory for the state of Washington, is independently responsible for the operation of the Metrology Laboratory of the state of Washington to ensure compliance with National standards for weights and measures standardizations.

Maintains custody of and responsibility for the official laboratory test weights and standards for the State of Washington;

Maintains the program’s weights and measures standards for field tests and enforcement of weights and measures laws and regulations. Includes scheduling equipment for periodic calibration, maintenance and disposition;

Calibrates weights and measurement standards for service providers and other governmental agencies on a fee for service basis. Standards are used to test and adjust weighing and measuring devices used in research, commerce and production operations;

Provides expert consultation to Weights & Measures Compliance Specialists, officials and customers on the selection and operation of laboratory equipment and field test equipment;

Maintain mandatory laboratory accreditation credentials in compliance with NIST Recognition Standards and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) guidelines associated with National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program Standards;

Maintains current knowledge of quality systems, including ISO, to maintain quality manuals, perform periodic audits, and maintain NIST Recognition and higher level ISO/National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program Standards;

Serves as the NIST expert for state weights and measures compliance specialists; provides advice and guidance to city weights and measures enforcement officials in conducting inspections with respect to nationally adopted procedures for scales, meters, other measuring devices, and other weights and measures regulatory requirements;

Develops and maintains strong working relationships with other state and federal metrologists for purposes of information sharing, problem solving and maintenance of required accreditations;

Develops long and short term plans to assure quality systems and rigorous accreditation standards are met, highly sensitive and valuable laboratory equipment is updated and maintained, and laboratory facilities are maintained;

Independently manages and prioritizes workload and training requirements to ensure regulatory program functions continue uninterrupted, and other government-based customers are served as quickly as possible. Establishes and nurtures customer relationships;

Manages and performs administrative tasks to ensure all quality standards, customer needs, state administrative requirements, recordkeeping and financial obligations are met;

Manages and maintains facilities including the laboratory, mechanical equipment and grounds to ensure safe, efficient practices and operations;

Position is expected to maintain and operate a laboratory that meets all legal NIST and ISO requirements; includes maintenance of the facility and its grounds;

Provides technical training to weights and measures compliance specialists in the use and care of test weights and measuring standards and specialized weighing equipment;

Develops and applies test procedures and standards for new or unusual mechanical devices or installations;

Serves as expert witness in court cases involving the accuracy of testing equipment and test procedures;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: applicable state laws and rules, National Institute of Standards and Technology Handbook 105 series, related handbooks and information relative to the enforcement of weights and measures laws and rules; physical principles involved in the operation of weighing, measuring and calibration equipment; specifications and tolerances applicable to weighing and measuring equipment; mathematical concepts; principles and practices of effective instruction; principles of effective supervision, and fundamentals of facility management.

Ability to: plan, organize, direct and coordinate program of inspecting, testing and calibrating weighing and measuring devices; interpret laws and procedural requirements; detect irregularities in the operation of weights and measurement devices or compliance with standards; work effectively with industry personnel, other agencies and local jurisdictions; serve as an expert witness; prepare reports; use analytical equipment such as precision laboratory balances; apply scientific theory, mathematical calculations and standards to the operation of sophisticated measurement instrumentation for the purpose of precise measurement, calibration and certification; write and speak clearly, concisely, accurately and informatively; highly skilled in the use spreadsheets and other information technology; operate a forklift; perform basic mechanical repairs; manage and maintain the laboratory, facilities and grounds.

Certification through the National Institute of Standards and Technology is required within eighteen months following appointment to this class and must be maintained for continued employment.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Four years of experience supervising the production, inspection, calibration, maintenance, installation and/or certification of weighing, measuring or other precision instruments, standards or equipment.

College education in mathematics, physics, engineering or a closely allied field may substitute, year for year, for up to two years of the required experience.

New class: 9-11-92
Revise definition: 7-1-96
New class code: (formerly 42870) effective July 1, 2007
(11/20/2009) Corrected title spelling.
Base salary increase from range 45 to range 51; revised definition, legal requirements and desirable qualifications; new distinguishing characteristics; adopted June 13, 2019, effective July 1, 2019.

Revised Legal Requirements; effective June 6, 2024, due to adopted legislative action.