Photographic Technician
Class Specifications – D.15
Senior Photographic Technician – 6226
Photographic Technician – 6227
January, 1976
Series Concept
Photographic Technicians perform laboratory operations in the processing, printing and finishing of black and white or color film; may operate process and copy cameras to produce line or half-tone negative and positive prints for offset duplication; process negatives; produce slides or transparencies by projection, contact or other copying process; wash and dry prints; mix or dilute chemical solutions in accordance with specified formula; perform routine cleaning of laboratory, darkroom, and storeroom; clean and make minor adjustments to photographic equipment; and perform other related duties as required.
The series consists of two levels. Incumbents at the senior level typically exercise technical supervision over Photographic Technicians, or operate process cameras and other related equipment. Photographic Technicians perform laboratory work of a routine or repetitive nature. The series is distinguished from the Photographer series by the types of equipment used, or by direct supervision of duties performed at the Photographic Technician level.
Class Concepts
Senior Photographic Technician
Under general supervision, incumbents take still photographs of flat surface material in the production of prints for graphic arts reproduction; make overlays and reverses; make technical composites of negative or positive prints; trim, strip, or mask film; supervise Photographic Technicians; coordinate production schedules; inspect final product to insure high quality; and may burn or etch plates used in offset duplication.
Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility are:
Supervises the production and assembly of continuous tone and line negatives, and supervises the production of slide mounts, and establishes procedures for instruction of Photographic Technicians to insure quality of final product.
Makes prints, negatives and positives of precise dimensions of maps, charts, diagrams and biological material.
Prints photomicrographs from both electron micrographs and scanning electron micrographs.
Mounts copy in process camera frame bed, focuses to specified size and position, adjusts arc lamps, inserts wavy line, concentric circle, steel etch, mezzotint or other types of screens to break-up shapings of copy into dots and produces half-tone images on film.
Photographic Technician
Under supervision incumbents prepare or dilute chemical mixtures necessary for processing negatives; make routine enlargements on a production basis; produce continuous tone and line negatives; mount slides by hand or operate automatic slide machines; duplicate slides; develop film by hand or operate roller transporter machines; and set up and maintain files of negatives, prints, slides, and other related photographic records. Examples of assignments allocated to this level of difficulty and responsibility are:
Operates a camera using 35mm microfilm on hundred-foot reels especially equipped for manuscript material, unbound theses, charts, maps, folio and triple folio sized volumes.
Microfilms newspapers, correcting all flaws and marking permanent defects prior to filming.
Develops X-ray film, splices, trims, tapes, and makes a final composite print.
Minimum Qualifications
Senior Photographic Technician
One year of training at a professional school of photography or one year of experience with a professional photographer or commercial processing company as a darkroom technician; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.
Photographic Technician
Six months of training at a professional school of photography or six months experience with a professional photographer or commercial processing company as a darkroom technician; or an equivalent combination of education and experience; and knowledges and abilities essential to the successful performance of the duties assigned to the position.