New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
Principal Offset Printing Machine Operators supervise a subordinate staff in an offset printing operation producing a wide variety and volume of quality printed materials.
Positions in this exist in many agencies with the greatest number in the Department of Taxation and Finance and in the State University system.
Principal Offset Printing Machine Operators are characterized by the responsibility for the full-time supervision of an offset printing operation or major unit, involving production scheduling, planning, routine equipment maintenance, the maintenance of supplies, quality and quantity control, and staff training. Incumbents personally perform a variety of offset printing tasks as required, typically those requiring a high degree of technical competence.
Principal Offset Printing Machine Operators supervise a staff of Senior and Offset Printing Machine Operators in the operation of offset printing machines. The Senior is characterized by operating offset printing machines of greater mechanical complexity requiring a greater number and variety of adjustments, presenting greater operating problems requiring more constant attention, and involving more maintenance and care than those operated by Offset Printing Machine Operators. A Senior Offset Printing Machine Operator may also supervise and work with a small staff of offset printing machine operators by making assignments, observing work to insure quality and production standards are met, and by providing instructions, and personally operating offset printing machines and auxiliary equipment.
Positions of Head Offset Printing Machine Operator administer large offset printing operations by planning, organizing and evaluating the work of the unit, providing technical supervision over all reproduction and related operations, by estimating costs, analyzing operations for the purpose of improving service and the economy of operations and by preparing budget estimates. Positions exist in various Departments.
Principal Offset Printing Machine Operators supervise a group of offset printing machine operators in the operation of offset printing machines, plate makers and other auxiliary equipment.
־ Schedules production based on such factors as work priorities and type of equipment and materials to be used.
־ Makes assignments specifying the equipment to be used, type of ink and paper stock, and provides proper size, weight and color of papers for the job.
־ Observes work while in progress to insure that quality and quantity standards are maintained.
־ Provides instruction, assistance and answers questions from the staff on the operation and maintenance of equipment.
־ Periodically inspects equipment according to preventative maintenance schedules, makes necessary adjustments and performs routine maintenance to insure proper operation.
־ Coordinates the work of the unit with that of other printing or auxiliary operations to insure a continuous flow of work, the most effective use of equipment and materials, and that schedules are met.
־ Prepares standard production reports.
־ Maintains stock of materials and supplies for the operations supervised.
Provides technical information to clients and others concerning such matters as machine capabilities and types and color of inks, plates and paper used to achieve the desired quality and final effect of the printed material produced.
Personally performs tasks requiring a high degree of technical competence such as plate making in producing color work, half tones, stripping and masking, and mixing chemicals.
As required, operates offset printing machines and auxiliary equipment as described in the classification standard for Senior Offset Printing Machine Operator, Occ. Code 2717300.
Incumbents maintain a daily working relationship with the staff supervised in scheduling, assigning and reporting on work, and assisting, observing and instructing staff. On a project basis, incumbents meet with others within the organizational division for the purpose of coordinating printing and auxiliary activities. Principal Offset Printing Machine Operators may meet with and assist clients concerning technical aspects of offset printing operations, types of paper and inks and like matters as related to proposed or requested printing work.
Principal Offset Printing Machine Operators are supervised by a Head Offset Printing Machine Operator, or in an organization where the Principal is the highest level offset printing machine operator, by an administrative position with responsibilities beyond those of offset reproduction. Within the framework of agency policies and priorities, incumbents typically function with considerable technical independence in directing the activities of a unit, and in personally performing various tasks in support of the offset printing operation.
Principal Offset Printing Machine Operators supervise a subordinate staff by scheduling, assigning work, providing instruction and training, observing and spot-checking work to insure quality and quantity standards are maintained and by making periodic production reports.
Guidelines including manufacturers equipment manuals on the operation, care and maintenance of machines and agency written instructions on operating procedures and quality and quantity standards are available.
Principal Offset Printing Machine Operators may operate offset duplicating machines of the single or doubleheaded sheet fed or role fed type, plate makers and other auxiliary equipment used in the offset printing operation.
־ Working knowledge of the operation and maintenance of offset duplicating machines and auxiliary equipment.
־ Working knowledge of the methods and practices of supervision.
־ Ability to operate offset printing and auxiliary equipment.
־ Ability to make minor repairs and adjustments to offset printing and auxiliary equipment.
־ Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
־ Ability to train and supervise a group of employees.
One year of permanent service as a Senior Offset Printing Machine Operator.
Reviewed: 5/04
NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.