Occ. Code 6922101

BRIDGE REPAIR ASSISTANT, GRADE 9

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

NATURE OF WORK

            Bridge Repair Assistants, using hand and power tools, perform semiskilled activities in a number of trades in the repair and maintenance of bridges under the supervision of a skilled trades employee.

            Positions in this class exist in the Regional Bridge Maintenance Units of the Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority.

CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA AND DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

            Positions of Bridge Repair Assistants are characterized by the performance of semi-skilled work in a number of trades in repair and maintenance of bridges and in the operation of self-propelled equipment similar to that operated by a Highway Equipment Operator.  Incumbents, in learning and perfecting their skills, may perform some skilled level tasks within an assignment under the direct supervision of a skilled trades employee or after receiving detailed instructions from a skilled trades employee.

            Bridge Repair Mechanics, as skilled employees, are distinguished from the class described in this standard in that they lay out work, perform all the tasks and use any of tools of the trades required to complete an assigned project.  They also supervise a sub-crew of Bridge Repair Assistants and Laborers on small maintenance and repair projects.

            Maintenance Assistant positions perform similar level semiskilled maintenance and repair work as a Bridge Repair Assistant but incumbents work in a shop setting or in and around State owned buildings.

            Laborers within a Bridge Repair Crew perform relatively unskilled work under direct supervision. 

TYPICAL ACTIVITIES, TASKS AND ASSIGNMENTS

            A Bridge Repair Assistant performs a variety of semiskilled maintenance and repair activities, in a combination of trades associated with bridge repair and maintenance.  The following are only examples of the type of work performed and should not be considered an all inclusive list of the activities and assignments, which can be found in the Highway Maintenance Operational Guidelines.

• Cuts steel plates and bars, using acetylene cutting equipment, according to layout, design and instructions and grinds edge of material to base metal to provide necessary base for welding.

• Manufactures wooden building forms for concrete work according to directions.

• Operates concrete mixers and makes proper mixture according to use, e.g., patching deck holes or replacing deteriorated concrete on structural members.

• Sets up sand blasting equipment, tends equipment during operation and adds sand as necessary.

• Using hand tools, scrapes scaling and deteriorated paint from structural steel and paints steel with primer and proper overcoat.

• Cleans and seals deck joints by removing old filler with hand or power tools and pouring heated tar into joints from tar pots.

• Operates a variety of light highway equipment such as dump trucks, patching machines, rollers, etc. used in bridge repair and maintenance operations.

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

The nature of Bridge Repair Assistant’s work generally restricts communications to employees within a Bridge Repair Crew.  They have frequent oral communications with Bridge Repair Supervisors and Mechanics receiving work assignments and instructions.  They also have frequent oral communications with other Bridge Repair Assistants and Laborers on specific jobs exchanging information and advice.

Communications with the general public are not typical of this class.

NATURE OF SUPERVISION

Bridge Repair Assistants are supervised by Bridge Repair Supervisors and Mechanics who provide work assignments, instructions and resources.  Work is inspected and overseen in progress and when it is completed to insure that instructions and standards are observed.

Bridge Repair Assistants typically have no supervisory responsibility.

MACHINES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Bridge Repair Assistants may use any of the hand and power tools, equipment and machinery of the various trades in bridge repair and maintenance work.  They also operate self-propelled vehicles similar to those operated by Highway Equipment Operators.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents are required to work above ground and water on under bridge inspection equipment, scaffolds, ladders and boatswain chairs with rigging and slings in the midst of highway traffic in all weather conditions.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Working knowledge of methods, materials, tools and equipment used in the various trades as they apply to bridge repair and maintenance operations.

• Basic knowledge of Highway Safety Manual as it applies to bridge repair and maintenance operations.

• Ability to perform above the ground work in the repair and maintenance of bridge.

• Ability to use and operate tools, machines, equipment and vehicles required in bridge repair and maintenance operations.

• Ability to understand and carry out written and oral instructions.

• Ability to perform medium to heavy physical labor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Two years’ experience in maintenance or mechanical work under the supervision of a skilled tradesman or training gained through completion of a technical course in bridge or technical trade at a school or institute or successful completion of a two- year traineeship.

NOTE:  At time of appointment candidates must possess a valid New York State Operator’s license for the type of vehicles operated.

Reviewed:   5/03

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.