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Development Technician
UCI Series Concepts
Class Specifications - E.15
Development Technician V - 7170
Development Technician IV - 7171
Development Technician III - 7172
Development Technician II - 7173
Development Technician I - 7174
February, 1972
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SERIES CONCEPT
Development Technicians assist academic researchers, development engineers
or research groups in the design, development, fabrication and assembly
of scientific equipment and apparatus. Incumbents also have continuing
responsibility for installation, modification, repair and maintenance of
the equipment in a research laboratory.
Development Technicians typically perform tasks involving:
1. A combination of skills from different disciplines, crafts or trades.
2. A working knowledge and basic understanding of a specialized area such
as vacuum systems, high energy electrical systems, or underwater
instrumentation.
3. The operation and repair of scientific equipment in a laboratory or
in the field.
4. The design, fabrication and assembly of scientific equipment involving
consideration of such factors as cost, operating life, safety, size,
tolerances, installation and location of components, surface finishes,
corrosion and machinability.
Positions in the Development Technician series are distinguished from the
Laboratory Mechanician series in that the Laboratory Mechanician typically
works in a machine shop area utilizing machinist's skills the majority of
the time, whereas the Development Technician works in a research or
development laboratory utilizing a variety of skills.
Positions in the Development Technician series are distinguished from the
Engineering Aid series in that the Engineering Aid is primarily responsible
for performing technical tasks which require the application of engineering
and scientific principles and mathematical skills that are included in the
first two years of an engineering curriculum such as performing engineering
or physical tests, collecting and analyzing technical data, drafting and
surveying.
Positions in the Development Technician series are distinguished from the
Electronic Technician series in that the Electronic Technician is primarily
involved in working with electronic systems, equipment and circuits with
limited responsibilities for applying knowledge and skills from other
disciplines. The Development Technician may frequently utilize knowledge
of electronics in addition to other skills, in the development and
fabrication of scientific equipment.
CLASS CONCEPTS
Development Technician V
Under direction, incumbents are responsible for all aspects of equipment
fabrication and perform the highest level of equipment design and development
required of a non-professional. Design work at this level requires
independent contributions based on a working knowledge and application of
basic scientific and engineering principles. Work assignments are typically
performed in research laboratories for an academic investigator, where a
professional engineer is usually not available.
Incumbents typically specify materials and components; estimate costs;
assemble, debug, calibrate, and install equipment; modify, repair, and
maintain a complex system of equipment and/or all operating equipment in
a laboratory; operate equipment during experiments; and perform other
related duties as required.
Development Technician IV
Under general supervision, incumbents are responsible for all phases of
fabrication of scientific equipment and for some design work. Design
work at this level is based on precedent and practical knowledge and is
characterized by the fact that design solution or approach must be analyzed
and evaluated on a technical basis by a professional engineer or
researcher.
Incumbents typically perform or supervise the repair and maintenance of
equipment, all fabrication, and assembly work requiring top manual skills;
and are responsible for material and component acquisition. At this
level, incumbents may participate, assist and supervise others in testing
and in the operation of equipment; instruct or direct students working on
projects; assist in the solution of technical problems; and perform other
related duties as required.
Allocation to the next higher level in the series is based on more advanced
design responsibilities.
Development Technician III
Under supervision, incumbents perform fabrication, assembly and maintenance
of scientific equipment. At this level, incumbents may assist in
equipment design by suggesting changes or alternatives to higher level
technical personnel.
Incumbents perform all required assembly and most fabrication tanks.
However, overall responsibility for the fabrication of a complete equipment
system or a complex scientific instrument is allocated to the next
higher level. At this level, incumbents fabricate precision parts from
completed sketches using a variety of materials such as plastic, glass,
metal and rubber; detect errors in dimensions; operate basic machine
tools such as mills, grinders and lathes including setting-up operations
and determining correct speed and feed rates; wire, assemble and check
electronic circuits from completed schematic drawings; and perform other
related duties as required.
This is the full operational level in the series and the majority of
Development Technician duties are performed at this level.
Development Technician II
Under supervision, incumbents perform the highest level assembly work
in the development of scientific equipment. Incumbents work from rough
sketches or oral instructions and all major components and parts are
provided. Incumbents acquire all necessary auxiliary hardware such as
fasteners and gaskets. Work requires use of various hand tools and
measuring devices such as micrometers, calipers, and simple electrical
meters.
At this level, the incumbents typically fabricate simple parts such as
brackets and shafts which require rudimentary machinist's skill; perform
simple welding, plumbing or sheetmetal task; perform regularly scheduled
and/or routine maintenance such as lubricating, installing, adjusting or
calibrating regulators, valves and thermostats; assist in data acquisition
by reading meters and indicators; read and interpret blueprints and
schematic diagrams; and perform other related duties as required.
Development Technician I
Under close supervision, incumbents perform simple assembly tasks requiring
the use of band tools. Assembly work at this level may require
a high degree of precision and manual dexterity, but these skills are
basically of a manipulative nature and do not require technical or craft
ability. Incumbents may use power, hand or bench tools such as drills,
hand saws and grinders.
Given specific and detailed instruction, incumbents typically perform
band soldering; perform simple electrical wiring; and install or connect
mechanical and electrical components such as fasteners, locks, gears, valves,
relays, transformers and diodes. Incumbents may record test data requiring
familiarity of shop mathematics and perform other related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Development Technician V
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and seven years
of technical and craft experience, or an equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Development Technician IV
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and five years
of technical and craft experience, or an equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Development Technician III
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and three years
of technical and craft experience; or an equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Development Technician II
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and two years of
technical and craft experience, or an equivalent combination of education
and experience.
Development Technician I
Graduation from high school or a General Education Diploma and one year
of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and
experience.
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