New York State Department of Civil Service
Division of Classification & Compensation
Occ. Code 7120140
Trades Specialist (Locksmith), Grade 12
Brief Description of Class
A Trades Specialist (Locksmith) installs, maintains and repairs locks and keys and other door or gate hardware, and compiles and maintains related records in a State facility.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Trades Specialist (Locksmith): non-competitive; characterized by the full-time performance of all repair, maintenance, installation, and record-keeping activities concerning locking mechanisms at a State facility. In this capacity, incumbents use a variety of small hand and bench tools to repair and install locks, set lock cylinders, change lock combinations, manufacture parts of lock mechanisms, and open jammed locks. Also characteristic of this class are activities concerned with estimating materials needed, and establishing and maintaining extensive lock and key record systems. A Trades Specialist (Locksmith) periodically performs maintenance tasks to assist other skilled tradespersons on the maintenance team.
The Trades Specialist (Locksmith) classification is based on responsibility for installing and maintaining an entire facility's lock and key system, and there should be only one such position classified at a facility. In the largest facilities where the work load exceeds the capacity of a single employee, a Trades Specialist (Locksmith) may supervise others in this work including semiskilled and unskilled workers.
Related Classes
Maintenance Assistants (Locksmith) are distinguished from the Trades Specialist (Locksmith) class in that incumbents function under the direct supervision of a Trades Specialist (Locksmith) in the performance of work. Their work includes making keys; installing locks; issuing keys; maintaining records; and opening jammed locks or locks where keys are not available. They may repair locks, change lock combinations, and inspect hardware when it is received.
In facilities where the repair, maintenance, installation, and record keeping for a lock system is not a full-time job, other maintenance positions such as Trades Specialist (Machinist), Trades Specialist (Carpenter), Trades Generalist and/or Maintenance Assistant (Carpenter) perform the activities described in this standard as part of their duties.
Illustrative Tasks
Repairs locks that have become jammed or are otherwise inoperative.
· Using small hand tools, removes locking mechanisms from doors, gates, cabinets, and other hardware.
· Opens the lock and removes defective parts or debris causing malfunction.
· May manufacture springs, tumblers, or levers to fit a specific lock.
· Inserts new part into lock mechanism.
· Adjusts tumblers and levers.
· May manufacture keys to fit the repaired lock.
Installs and maintains the lock and key system in a State facility.
· Using a variety of small hand tools and following manufacturers' instructions, installs new locks in doors, windows, and cabinets.
· Periodically sets lock cylinders and changes combinations on locks.
· Computes changes in lock combinations and key changes to avoid duplication of combinations and records changes.
· Maintains locks by disassembling them, cleaning, lubricating and replacing parts, and, manufacturing parts such as screws and springs.
· Opens locks where keys are not available or where locks are jammed.
· Makes new and duplicate keys.
· Keeps extra keys for locks in secure area.
· Estimates materials needed for lock and key system.
May perform carpentry tasks related to lock and key system.
· Installs door frames and window frames at a facility.
· Installs door checks, sash fittings, and door threshold.
· Prepares doors from slab to fully functioning doors.
· Glazes windows.
· Estimates materials needed for these functions.
Establishes and maintains a record system in order to avoid key and lock duplication, and to ensure the required security of the facility and its contents.
· Records placement of locks, lock combinations and number of keys fitting each lock; adjusts records to reflect changes.
· Records information indicating person to whom keys and/or locks are issued.
· Installs, adjusts, and repairs door operators and closers.
May install, repair, adjust, and maintain access control system, electronic door locking devices and controls.
Independence of Operation
Trades Specialists (Locksmith) are supervised by higher-level building trades positions such as Maintenance Supervisors or Trades Supervisors (Carpenter). Generally, work priorities are prescribed, material is furnished, the nature and extent of the work to be performed is given, and detailed plans, diagrams, and specifications are provided. In the absence of such direction, the Trades Specialist (Locksmith) sets priorities, requisitions materials, determines the work that has to be done, and lays out the work. They also maintain extensive records of the location of locks, lock combinations and persons having keys and/or access to keys.
Although the work of a Trades Specialist (Locksmith) is periodically inspected by a supervisor, incumbents are expected to work with considerable independence that is typical of a skilled tradesperson.
Communication
The nature of a Trades Specialists (Locksmith) activities generally restricts relationships to other employees working within the same organization unit, including skilled tradespersons in other trades. However, incumbents may be expected to orally communicate with administrators and others in the facility concerning problems with locks and keys, or to report the status of work in progress.
A Trades Specialist (Locksmith) may supervise a maintenance staff. Such relationships are characterized by frequent oral communications in assigning work and providing instructions. Written and oral communications with the general public are not typical of this class. Although incumbents may have frequent verbal relationships with others, the tasks of this class are predominantly thing-oriented and involvement with others is not a factor in determining its classification.
Supervision Exercised
A Trades Specialist (Locksmith) may supervise subordinate maintenance staff and/or individuals for whom the State has custody or responsibility by making assignments, giving instructions, and observing and inspecting work performed to ensure instructions have been followed and the quality of work is satisfactory.
Minimum Qualifications
Non-competitive: four years of full-time experience in locksmithing under a skilled tradesperson which would provide training equivalent to that given in a training, apprenticeship, or equivalent program; or an equivalent combination of experience and training gained by completion of technical courses in locksmithing at a school, institute, or branch of the Armed Services.
When required to operate motor vehicles, candidates must possess a valid New York State driver's license appropriate for the type of vehicle to be operated.
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.
9/2020
JM