This is engineering management work, directing a city-wide materials engineering program. The employee in this class directs and coordinates, through subordinate engineering supervisors, technical staff engaged in laboratory and field testing of a wide variety of materials to determine their chemical and physical properties and the inspection of vendor facilities for conformance to City and project specifications. The employee in this class is also responsible for providing advice on the suitability of materials and products for engineering applications. Contact with department officials, industrial plant representatives, vendors, and others, appearing as expert witness in court regarding failure of materials to meet standards are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the general direction of the Water Laboratory Services Director.

ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be approved for this class.)

1. This position must be responsible for directing laboratory and field testing of a wide variety of materials to determine their physical and chemical properties and certification of vendors to insure conformance to specifications.
2. This position must be located in the Water Department's Bureau of Laboratory Services.
3. Only one position will be allocated to this class.

• Plans, directs and coordinates, through subordinate engineering and technical supervisors, laboratory and field testing of a wide variety of materials, including such items as cement, concrete, asphaltic materials, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, paints, lubricants, liquid and solid fuels, soaps and detergents, paper products, textiles, agricultural and construction soils, valves and other mechanical products, structural steel, cast iron, ductile iron and steel pipes, plastic products and industrial chemicals to determine their physical and chemical properties.
• Directs the activities of field crews performing quality control evaluations of construction techniques, manufacturing and fabricating processes and non-destructive evaluation of structures erected for the City by outside contractors; oversees a program of predictive maintenance; evaluates infrastructure of plants to determine priorities and assess conditions.
• Interprets complex specifications; formulates procedures for testing materials submitted without specifications; analyzes and evaluates test reports for final approval; prepares specifications for material and equipment to be used by operating departments; confers with representatives of government and industry regarding policies, procedures, programs, and the resolution of problem areas; recommends purchase of new equipment to improve testing techniques.
• Submits test reports with recommendations for approval or disapproval of companies and their products as sources of supply; appears as an expert witness in court on failure of materials to meet standards; inspects testing equipment to assure the highest degree of accuracy is maintained.
• Represents the department at professional conferences and meetings; directs the preparation of the operating budget; determines the number and kind of personnel and equipment needed to complete testing functions; establishes work standards, procedures and policies; participates in planning for the development and expansion of major engineering projects.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• modern engineering methods and techniques as applied to the engineering review of specifications for construction materials and other projects.
• engineering theory, principles and practices as they relate to materials testing, applications and manufacture.
• the construction materials standards and approved testing methodologies established by the American Society of Testing and Materials, American Concrete Institute, American Society of Quality Control, and other standards' organizations.
• municipal procurement methods.
• supervisory methods and techniques.

SKILL IN:

• coordinating the activities of the laboratory with intra- and extra-departmental agencies.

ABILITY TO:

• plan, organize and direct, through subordinate supervisors, a city-wide program of materials testing.
• direct the development of standards for inspections of vendor facilities to assure the provision of quality products.
• set standards to establish satisfactory levels of employee performance.
• evaluate and formulate test procedures.
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, vendors, manufacturers, and departmental officials.

EDUCATION:

• Completion of a bachelor's degree program at an accredited college or university with major course work in chemical, civil, metallurgical, mechanical, or materials engineering.

  AND
  GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
  

• Four years of engineering experience in materials testing work.

  AND
  SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
  

• Three years of supervisory engineering experience in materials engineering work.

Or any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Personnel Department which has included the completion of a bachelor's degree program in an acceptable area of engineering as an educational minimum.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS, AND/OR CERTIFICATES

• Possession of registration as a Professional Engineer as issued by the Pennsylvania State Registration Board for Professional Engineers within one year of appointment as a Materials Engineering Laboratory Manager.

PAY RANGE: EP26
Class Established: 1/1959

Spec. Revision:
  CSC - 9/1995 ; Ad Board - 12/1995

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