New York State Department of Civil Service

Division of Classification & Compensation

Occ. Code 7120175

Trades Specialist (Welder), Grade 12

Brief Description of Class

Trades Specialists (Welder) plan, lay out, and fabricate a variety of metals including steel, iron, brass, and aluminum and may supervise others in the construction, repair, and maintenance of structures and equipment using electric arc and gas welding equipment, in accordance with approved trade practices.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Trades Specialist (Welder): non-competitive; performs welding work on a variety of metals and alloys, using arc and gas welding equipment in an assigned area or facility. Incumbents plan and lay out work as specified by diagram, blueprint, work order, or oral instructions.

A Trades Specialist (Welder) may supervise others in this work including semiskilled and unskilled workers.

Related Classes

Positions of Facility Operations Assistant 1 assigned to a Trades Specialist (Welder) perform manual tasks involving elementary skills as directed, while learning the practical techniques of the trade.

Trades Generalists may perform journey-level welding activities. However, such positions are classified only where the incumbents perform skilled and semiskilled activities in a combination of trades.

Trades Specialists (Sheet Metal) perform journey-level sheet metal work including the fabrication of a variety of articles from sheet metal such as steel tables, special laboratory equipment, cabinets and sinks using specialized tools and equipment. The work may also require that the incumbent weld, solder, and braze.

Trades Specialists (Plumber & Steamfitter) perform journey-level plumbing and steamfitting work in the installation, alteration and repair of pipes, fittings, and fixtures of heating, ventilating, heating control, water, and drainage systems. This work may occasionally require the incumbent to weld, solder, and braze.

Illustrative Tasks

Incumbents weld, braze, and cut metals and alloys according to written or oral instructions and previous experience, utilizing appropriate welding equipment and techniques, and following approved trade practices. Illustrative activities include the following:

· Maintains repairs, and fabricates metal equipment such as deckplate, furniture, bridge frames, kitchen and laundry equipment, steam lines, and tanks, by the welding and cutting of steel plate, sheet metal, pipe, and other metal articles.

· Welds cracked and broken metal parts of passenger vehicles, trucks, snowplows, cranes, graders, and other automotive and construction equipment.

· Welds cracks in heavy casting, including heat treatment as required, on engine blocks, bulldozer "A" frames, and power shovel main body castings.

· Performs oxyacetylene burning, and carbon and steel electrode arc cutting of various types of metals.

· At the Canal Corporation, maintains, repairs, and fabricates steel canal structures, vessels, and components such as miter gates, valves, superstructures, movable dam gates, vessel hulls, and other related components.

Independence of Operation

Trades Specialists (Welder) are supervised by higher-level trades positions such as Trades Supervisor (Plumber & Steamfitter), Maintenance Supervisor 1 or 2 (Motor Equipment), Maintenance Supervisor 2 or 3, or Canal Maintenance Shop Supervisors 2. 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 (Welder) sets priorities, requisitions materials, determines the work that has to be done, and lays out the work.

Although the work of Trades Specialists (Welder) is periodically inspected by a supervisor, incumbents are expected to work with considerable independence that is typical of the skilled tradesperson.

Communication

The nature of a Trades Specialists (Welder) activities generally restricts relationships to employees working within the same organizational unit, including skilled tradespersons in other trades. However, incumbents may be expected to orally communicate with administrators and others in an agency or facility on the reasons why work is being accomplished in the manner selected.

Trade Specialists (Welder) may supervise 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. 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 (Welder) may supervise a 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 that instructions have been followed and that the quality of the work is satisfactory.

Minimum Qualifications

Non-competitive: Four years of full-time experience in welding 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 welding 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.

Positions at the Canal Corporation, Thruway Authority and Department of Transportation also require possession of a current NYSDOT welding certification for vertical (3G) or overhead (4G) applications.

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