City Of Philadelphia Office Of Human Resources

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3B57

MATERIALS TESTING LABORATORY SUPERVISOR

Specialties

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General Definition

• This is materials engineering or laboratory work supervising, through subordinate technical supervisors and/or engineers, the Water Department's physical testing of infrastructure materials, vendor certification programs for construction materials, failure analysis, product evaluation and related testing. The employee in this class is responsible for directing the development and implementation of procedures and standards necessary to test construction material quality and assess vendor performance. Work involves directing, planning and implementing aspects of complex civil engineering projects related to the utilization of various construction materials components and products. Providing evaluative and interpretive analysis of material tests, vendor inspections and projects performed and contact with vendor, construction, engineering and technical personnel are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the direction of an administrative engineering superior.

Allocating Factors:

(The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)

1. The positions must be located in the Water Department's Materials Testing Laboratory.
2. The position must direct the physical testing, vendor certification programs, failure analysis, and product evaluation, through technical and/or engineering supervisors.
3. The position must utilize materials and civil engineering expertise in the analyses, evaluation and interpretation of test, inspection and project results.
4. The positions must report directly to the Materials Testing Laboratory Manager.

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Typical Examples Of Work (Illustrative Only)

BOTH SPECIALTIES

• Supervises technical supervisors and /or engineers involved in the testing of infrastructure materials or various products the city purchases, vendor certification, product evaluation or failure analysis.
• Meets and confers with vendors, and engineering, construction and technical personnel to resolve disputes and provide interpretive and evaluative analyses of tests and inspections performed; disseminates technical information to such individuals on the performance of materials and products in tests; suggests modifications and alterations in the formulation, processing and production of sub-standard materials and products for conformity to established specifications; recommends to vendors seeking certification the purchase or alteration of materials production equipment and the establishment of adequate quality control measures.
• Prepares preliminary operating budget of section; reviews cost-effectiveness of section prepares reports documenting activities and program progress; manages automated software programs to maintain records of vendor performance and test results; prepares justifications and budgets for personal service contracts for consultants; reviews and monitors repair and maintenance contracts. Trains and instructs subordinate in new testing and inspection procedures and standards. Provides technical advise to subordinates when inspections and tests are difficult or complex; conducts review of inspections and tests results as requested by subordinates for interpretive and evaluative purposes; assures that subordinates adhere to established policies, procedures, standards and methodology in performing inspections on vendor facilities and testing on materials and products; reviews and approves recommendations of subordinates in the rejection of materials and products not in conformance with testing specifications; reviews and approves recommendations of subordinates to disqualify vendors from supplying inferior products to the City.
• Directs the development of methodology and standards for performing inspections on vendor facilities conducting tests on materials and products; reviews Water Department and voluntary consensus standards to provide interpretations of such standards to subordinates; recommends revisions and improvements to Water Department specifications as related to materials testing and vendor quality inspections to assure conformity with standards established by the materials industry and the civil engineering profession.

• RESEARCH SPECIALTY

  • Directs, plans and implements complex civil engineering research projects on the utilization of various construction materials such as by-products, aggregates and composites used in concrete; develops testing methodology and specifications for such projects; prepares project analyses reports on test results and durability of incorporated products and on the cost-effectiveness of utilizing such products
  • Conducts Failure analysis (to be expanded)
  • Develops product evaluation (to be expanded)

  FIELD AND LABORATORY SPECIALTY

  • Directs the performance of numerous tests both in the laboratory and in the field of a variety of construction materials and products such as metals, soils, aggregates masonry and consumer products among others to ensure that materials tested conform to City and project specifications.
  • Directs, through a technical subordinate supervisor, the inspection of supplier's plants to assure that manufacturers are capable of providing quality products and that adequate quality control and testing procedures are maintained uniformly among all manufacturers providing materials and products such as iron castings, structural steel, gate valves, asphalt and reinforced concrete pipe among others.
  • Oversees development and implementation of Quality Certification Program.

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Required Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge Of:

• engineering theory, principles and practices as they relate to materials testing, applications and manufacture
• modern engineering methods and techniques as applied to the engineering review of specifications for construction materials and other products
• 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
• the industrial processes and procedures used in the manufacture of construction materials
• engineering projects development and techniques
• scientific applications utilization
• public procurement methods

Ability To:

• Supervise technical supervisors and /or engineers involved in the testing of infrastructure materials or various products the city purchases, vendor certification, product evaluation or failure analysis
• establish and maintain effective relationships with representatives of the construction materials industry
• simplify, improve, adapt and standardize analytical and engineering procedures necessary to solve problems and establish new testing programs
• prepare and present comprehensive written and oral reports and presentations
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and engineering personnel

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Minimum Acceptable Training And Experience

(The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 7/11.)

RESEARCH SPECIALTY

Education

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

General Experience

• Two years of experience in civil, mechanical, materials or metallurgical engineering. AND

Specific Experience

• Two years of civil, mechanical, material or metallurgical engineering experience at the full performance level performing materials analysis and physical testing.

OR

• Any equivalent combination of education and experience, which has included the specific experience and possession of a bachelor's degree in engineering as specified above as an educational minimum.

FIELD AND LABORATORY SPECIALTY

Education

• Completion of a two year program, at an approved technical institute or an accredited college or university, with major course work in civil, mechanical or materials engineering or engineering technology, building construction technology, architectural design or metallurgical engineering,. AND

General Experience

• Four years of experience performing technical field or laboratory work, testing and inspecting infrastructure material to make sure that it is in compliance with contracts, plans and specifications and to insure good workmanship. AND

Specific Experience

• Four years of experience supervising a group of lower level construction technicians and/or inspectors performing testing and inspectional duties in the civil, or materials testing phases of public works construction projects.

OR

Education

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

General Experience

• Four years of experience performing technical field or laboratory work, testing and inspecting infrastructure material to make sure that it is in compliance with contracts, plans and specifications and to insure good workmanship. AND

Specific Experience

• Four years of civil, mechanical, material or metallurgical engineering experience at the full performance level performing materials analysis and physical testing.

OR

• Any equivalent combination of education and experience which has included the specific experience and completion of a two year program at an approved technical institute or an accredited college or university with major course work in an acceptable area of engineering or engineering technology as an educational minimum.

CLASSES THAT TYPICALLY MEET THE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

FIELD AND LABORATORY SPECIALTY ONLY

1. Construction Project Technician 3 (Civil) (Materials Testing) - 3A19

BOTH SPECIALTIES

1. Civil Engineer 2 - 3B06
2. Mechanical Engineer 2 - 3B22
3. Engineering Specialist (Civil) (Mechanical) - 3B74

Physical And Medical Requirements

1. 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

1. Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure as a Materials Testing Laboratory Supervisor.

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PAY RANGE:

EP23

• Class Established:

  • 8/90

• Latest Spec. Revision:

  • CSC: 6/11, Ad Board: 7/11

MA/jl

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End Of Job Class Specification - 3B57