Electronic Technician

FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE:

Independently performs the full range of diagnostic, preventive maintenance, alignment and calibration, and overhaul tasks, on both hardware and software on a variety of mail processing, customer service, and building equipment and systems, applying advanced technical knowledge to solve complex problems.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs complex testing, diagnosis, maintenance, alignments and calibration, overhaul, and revision, of electronically operated or controlled equipment or systems; may be required to perform maintenance of associated electromechanical equipment and systems.
• Observes the operation of systems and equipment, and applies various testing and diagnostic methods and procedures to locate and correct malfunctions and/or failures and ensures maximum system performance.
• Performs equipment inspections to assess the quality of service or maintenance received, and to discover incipient malfunctions; initiates work orders requesting corrective actions for equipment not meeting maintenance or operating standards; estimates time and materials necessary to make corrections and conducts investigations of frequent or serious equipment failures to determine the cause of the breakdown and to recommend remedial maintenance action.
• Recommends changes to servicing and preventive maintenance activities; assists in the revision of preventive maintenance and operator checklists, and their frequency to sustain the proper degree of maintenance.
• Performs analyses of equipment failures; reviews operational reports, audits, and other information, to determine where operational enhancement can be made to prevent equipment or systems deterioration.
• Participates in the installation, removal, modification, assembly, and/or disassembly of systems and equipment.
• Participates in classroom, on-the-job, and correspondence training programs; attends courses at postal facilities, trade schools, and manufacturers sites; assists in developing and implementing training programs; provides on-the-job training to other lower level maintenance employees.
• Provides technical support to other employees in the facility or in installations within the area served; performs in-process and final operational checks and tests work completed by other employees; may work without direct supervision.
• May drive a vehicle or use other appropriate modes of transportation in the course of assigned duties.
• Follows established safety practices and requirements while performing all duties; reads and adheres to instructions listed in applicable maintenance directives; maintains a library of maintenance directives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to demonstrate mechanical comprehension to learn and apply mechanical principles, including a working knowledge of basic mechanical operations (such as levers and pulleys) and the application of physical laws (such as force and gravity). This includes knowledge in the following areas: (A) Power transmission--such as gears, sprockets and chains, belts and pulleys; (B) Power translation--such as cams and cam followers, linkages, springs; (C) Friction reduction'such as bushings, bearings; (D) Fasteners--such as screws, nuts and bolts, pins, rings, clips, couplings.

• Knowledge of basic electricity principles; this includes knowledge of Ohm's law, Kirchoff's law, AC-DC circuitry, relays, switches, and circuit breakers.

• Knowledge of the National Electrical Code may be required for employees in a skilled position. This also includes knowledge of techniques and procedures as used in electrical installations and maintenance (circuit protection, wiring, conduits, etc.).

• Knowledge of electronic principles; this includes knowledge of (A) basic logic gates, symbology, resistors, memory, encoders, decoders, etc.; (B) Hardware/components - such as solid state devices (diodes, transistors, etc.), coils, capacitors, etc.; (C) Digital circuit components - as in registers, adders, counters, memories, flip-flops, encoders, decoders, etc.; and D) AC and DC circuitry - as in circuit analysis, schematic interpretation, etc.

• Knowledge of and ability to follow safety and security procedures for performing maintenance work This includes knowledge of industrial hazards (e.g., mechanical, chemical, electrical, electronic) and procedures and techniques established to avoid injuries to self and others such as lock out devices, protective clothing, and waste disposal techniques.

• Knowledge of current computer technology to understand how technology may be applied to solve a problem or improve system design; this includes knowledge of hardware, software and networking technology/systems and integrated computer systems. This includes knowledge related to: (A) the Operation of computer terminals or other peripherals to enter, operate, and exit programs; to use the systems programs and (B) Retrieving and interpreting reports for diagnostic and information purposes.

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division correctly; to solve practical problems by selecting from a variety of mathematical techniques such as formulas and percentages.

• Ability to remember material learned earlier refers to the ability to recall specific information and/or theoretical knowledge and apply it to mechanical, electrical, or electronic maintenance work such as inspection, troubleshooting, equipment repair and modification, preventive maintenance, and installation of electrical equipment.

• Ability to troubleshoot problems to analyze the root cause of a specific error and decide what action to take to prevent recurrence; to back track from a specific problem to identify the source of the error.

• Ability to think logically and critically; to understand the relevance of information; to identify relationships between information and data.

• Ability to think of possible causes for problems and find solutions; to choose the best course of action; to make a decision without delay when the opportunity arises or when all desired information is not available.

• Ability to learn and comprehend new or unfamiliar material; to use multiple approaches to grasp or learn the implication of new information; to quickly incorporate information and ideas.

• Ability to comprehend spatial relations as required to perform maintenance work; to form three-dimensional mental pictures of objects; to know what an object would look like when viewed from a different angle; to determine if something will fit in a specified area. This may include the ability to use technical drawings (e.g. diagrams, blueprints and schematics).

• Ability to read and comprehend job related written materials; this also includes the ability to locate, read, and comprehend text material such as handbooks, manuals, bulletins, directives, checklists, and route sheets.

• Ability to communicate work related information in writing to maintenance, operations and other personnel to complete forms or provide routine and technical information (e.g., in work logs, e-mails, memos and technical reports/documents).

• Ability to follow oral and written directions, instructions, rules, policies and/or procedures correctly and in order.Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships; to work with teams; to help others; to accept suggestions; to treat others with dignity and respect.

• Ability to demonstrate organizational commitment to the public service goals and mission of the Postal Service. Ability to be conscientious to carry out job tasks; to be responsible and dependable; to take care in performing routine and novel tasks; to track details; to check that all work is accurate and complete; to record information accurately.

• Ability to work from heights refers to the ability to perform safely and efficiently the duties of the position above floor level such as from ladders, catwalks, walkways, scaffolds, vert-a-lifts, and platforms.

• Knowledge and ability to use various hand or portable power tools in performing mechanical, electrical, electronic or other maintenance work; this may include the use of shop power equipment. This ability includes the safe and efficient use and maintenance of such tools as screwdrivers, wrenches, hammers, pliers, chisels, punches, taps, dies, rules, gauges, and alignment tools; refers to the knowledge of, and proficiency with, various power tools; the ability also involves the safe and efficient use and maintenance of power tools such as drills, saws, sanders, and grinders; refers to the knowledge of, and proficiency with, shop machines such as bench grinders, drill presses, and table/band saws.

• Knowledge and ability to use test equipment, gauges or tools to take measurements and/or to take measurements with electrical or electronic test equipment (such as VOMs, oscilloscopes, amprobes) to perform maintenance work; this includes various types of maintenance equipment and may monitoring the operation of a system or machine or use of data networking test equipment.

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must successfully complete Postal Service Test 955, for the Electronics Technician job group, which measures maintenance knowledge, skills and abilities.

In addition, applicants must successfully complete a structured interview evaluation.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS:

1. Applicants must be able to operate powered industrial equipment.

2. For positions requiring driving, applicants must have a valid state driver's license, and demonstrate and maintain a safe driving record.