Definition

Prepares plates for offset printing and operates camera for line and half-tone negatives.  Operates photographic equipment to reproduce black and white line and continuous tone film negatives and positives, and photographic paper prints.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Positions at this level have primary responsibility for exposing and developing plates for offset printing.  Assignments are limited to photolithographic reproduction of line, continuous tone, and half‑tone negatives and positives, and black and white photographic printing.

Typical Work

Operates process and copy cameras to produce black and white continuous tone and line copy to required scale utilizing automatic film processor;

Operates contact printing frames to produce duplicate film and paper negatives or positives from original drawing, utilizing automatic film and paper processor;

Operates photographic enlargers to produce black and white photo prints from all size and type of negatives;

Processes all types and kinds of photographic roll and sheet film;

Operates a variety of machines such as plate exposure machine, head liner, varityper, MT/ST, MT/SC, camera, etc., in preparing materials for reproduction on offset press;

Develops film and makes positive and negative prints;

Performs opaquing, stripping, masking, and other detailed processes to produce flats for making offset plates;

Uses chemicals required in offset processes and mixes chemicals;

Performs minor maintenance and repairs to photographic equipment;

Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: operations, adjustment, and maintenance of the most complex cameras and enlargers; methods and techniques needed to operate photographic equipment to produce a variety of black and white photographic products.

Ability to: produce from original photographic prints and drawings in black and white, the best possible quality reproductions with reference to line and image density.

Legal Requirement(s)

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.

Desirable Qualifications

Two years of experience in commercial or industrial photography, reprographics or photolithography.

OR

Equivalent education/experience.

Class Specification History

New class, consolidates 3624 Photolithographer, 26670 Photographic Technician 1; adopted May 10, 2007, effective July 1, 2007.