7H01

PAY RANGE: 8

TRADES HELPER

            (Auto Body)                             (HVAC)                                   (Rigger-Steeplejack)

            (Auto Mechanic)                     (Machinist)                              (Roofing)

            (Bookbinder)                           (Masonry)                               (Sign Painter)

            (Carpentry)                             (Mechanical)                           (Telephone-Electrical)

            (Electrical)                               (Painting)                                 (Voting Machine Mechanic)

            (General Auto Shop)           (Plumbing)

GENERAL DEFINITION

            This is routine work assisting a full performance worker in a specific trade as listed above.  Tasks become more complex as the helper progresses in skill.  Assignments are well defined in nature.  An employee in this class is expected to perform assignments according to detailed instructions.  Work involves moderate physical efforts on a continuous basis and some undesirability working conditions that can be controlled by precautionary methods or devices.  Work is performed under the continuous supervision of a full-performance trades superior.

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

1. Positions in this class must perform training-level work in the area of trade specialization.

2. Work must be performed under the supervision of a higher-level trades superior.

TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)

All Specialties

            Uses hand and power tools characteristics of the trade specialty to assist a full performance tradesworker in performing maintenance, repairs or tests in a trade specialty. 

            Assembles equipment and materials needed to begin and complete work projects; supplies tradesworker with materials and tools required while work is in progress; positions objects for installation, repairs, etc., cleans equipment; stocks maintenance vehicles with tools and equipment for field repairs; gathers salvageable materials in the field and returns them to the repair shop.

            Performs related work as required.

            Performs tasks under the supervision of a tradesworker in completing assignments within the specialty as follows:

Auto Body

            Removes and reinstalls upholstery and trim prior to repair work; remove and

reinstalls damaged  exterior panels such as fenders, fender liners, bumper covers, doors, and lights; utilizes an assortment of hand tools and repairs minor dings and dents; reshapes metal on panels, such as fenders and hoods using hammers and dollies; welds tears in metals; utilizes a variety of body  fillers for reshaping and finishing to straight and smooth surfaces.

Auto Mechanic

            Performs preventive maintenance; removes and replaces automotive parts such as alternators, starters, lights, and related electrical parts; removes, disassembles, and reassembles brake system components  installs various auto parts such as radiators, water pumps, batteries, wiper blades, coil packs and spark plugs; performs emergency road service.

Bookbinder

            Removes old bookends, cutting away old threads and glue using an electric cutter; applies new application of glue; cuts flannel and boards of different weights for new book covers; rounds the edge of the book to form joint for new cover; evens pages by trimming if necessary; makes casings by cutting cloth and applying glue with a gluing machine; covers previously cut boards with new casings. 

Carpentry

            Shapes and fastens wood for partitions, frames, and flooring; replaces wood trim for windows, closets and baseboards; removes broken risers, treads and handrails for stairway; installs door hardware such as locks and doorknobs; fastens wooden objects and structures with nails, glue and dowels.

Electrical

            Rods ducts to pull high and low voltage cable; replace ballasts in fluorescent fixtures; uses portable testers to check fuses, relays, breakers, and electrical motors; dresses electrical contact on circuit breakers; mounts wall receptacles and light switches; replaces defective wiring in wall receptacles; replaces carbon brushes in commutators; fixes switches on appliances.

General Auto Shop

            Assists with cleaning and sweeping shop area; maintains an organized and clean workspace; keeps parts inventory clean and organized; organizes janitorial equipment and supplies; assists with minor duties around automotive shop environment; completes interior and exterior detail and cleaning of vehicles.

HVAC

            Adjusts controls for a large central system to meet changing conditions; uses oxyacetylene torch and lead detector to check refrigeration units for freon leaks; uses electric vacuum pumps, manifold gauges and refrigerant cylinder to evaluate and recharge refrigeration units; adjusts and replaces V-belt drive for compressors; checks circuits with test lights and repairs shorts or breaks in the electrical lines. 

Machinist

            Dismantles equipment such as motors, pumps, and compressors; replaces defective parts including shafts, gaskets, bolts, and valve stems; operates grinding, drill press, lathes and other machine and hand tools. 

Masonry

            Erects scaffolding; loads and unloads brick, stone, sand and cement; uses mixing hoe and mortar box to mix plaster, mortar and cement; operates air jackhammers and drills to break up cement; operates air tampers for packing dirt; measures and cuts channel iron and wire lath; applies brown and scratch coats for ceilings with hand troughs; measures and cuts Pyro Bar Partitions; cuts brick to proper size; polishes terrazzo floors with abrasive stone.

Mechanical

            Participates with a higher level mechanic in the assembling, disassembling, cleaning, adjusting, lubrication, maintenance and repair assignments in facilities such as pumping stations, treatment plants, incinerators and large buildings; assists in maintenance and repair of dehumidifiers, feeders, valves, furnaces, conveyor belts, mixers, pumps, pipes and similar mechanical equipment. 

Painting

Prepares surfaces; removes old paint by use of burners, sandpaper, electric sanders, liquid paint removers, scraper and sandblaster; applies putty, caulking, spackle and plaster to small holes and cracks; applies tape to seams of dry wall; applies paint to the interior and exterior of buildings, fixtures, and equipment using brushes, rollers, and spray guns; transports ladders, scaffolding and other positioning devices; sets up such equipment; cleans brushes, rollers and spray guns and makes minor repairs to equipment; removes broken glass from window frames, doors and other areas; installs and secures new glass using putty, hinges, pins and other materials.

Plumbing

            Cuts and threads pipe, cuts metal nipples to proper size; sweats copper pipes; operates electrically-powered sewer cleaning machine; uses electric pipe cleaning tools or auger; disassembles and cleans high and medium pressure steam traps; seals punctured floats in thermostratis steam traps; cleans pilot valves with pipe compound; checks steam line gauges for safety levels; opens and bleeds steam lines.

Rigger-Steeplejack

            Holds ladders and steadies other supports; erects lower tiers of rigging and scaffolding; moves and arranges bulky equipment such as furniture or machinery; operates pulleys for lowering and raising materials to work site; uses wrenches to tighten bolts when erecting grandstands for parades or other events. 

Roofing

            Applies surface materials to roofs such as slate, tin, tile, slag, asphalt, or rubberoid shingles; rolls tarpaper; operates tar kettles; erects rigging for hoisting tarpaper; replaces shingles with nails or asphalt cement. 

Sign Painter

            Sets up, feeds and operates semi-automatic sign painting machine; uses cutting machine to cut reflective sheeting for background of sign; operates baking applicator machine, roller coating machine and spray gun; cuts stencils and prepares silk screening; repairs, touches-up and maintains signs returned to shop for reuse; travels with sign crews on the streets to repair large traffic signs that cannot be brought into shop.

Telephone-Electrical

            Uses headset to check test tone transmitted through cable line to locate trouble source; disassembles telephones and call directors to replace and repair defective parts; reassembles and tests units; installs telephones; chips cement floors for pipe risers and runs cable.

Voting Machine Mechanic

Prepares voting machine materials; performs voting machine service set-up and maintenance procedures; installs voting machine paper tape, ballot and memory cartridge; performs test election procedures; repairs and maintains voting machines, troubleshooting and identifying system problems.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE OF:

•           the methods, materials, tools and practices used in the area of specialization

•           the hazards and safety precautions of the trade

ABILITY TO:

•           perform tasks requiring electronic or mechanical aptitude

•           make arithmetic computations as may be required in trade work

•           understand and follow oral and written instructions

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 1/23.)

EDUCATION:

ALL SPECIALTIES:

            Education equivalent to completion of twelfth school grade.

AND

EXPERIENCE:

ALL SPECIALTIES EXCEPT FOR GENERAL AUTO SHOP:

            Six months of experience in the trade specialty.

NOTE:  Successful completion of a certified apprenticeship program or completion of a Philadelphia School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) program in the trade specialty as determined by the Office of Human Resources may be substituted for the six months of experience.

AUTO BODY & AUTO MECHANIC SPECIALTIES ONLY:

NOTE: Successful completion of a post-high school-approved automotive trade school curriculum for a minimum of six months up to a maximum of one year can be equated on a month-by-month basis for the experience requirements. 

AND EXPERIENCE:

GENERAL AUTO SHOP SPECIALTY:

            Successful completion of the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Workforce Development Program in Automotive Service and Maintenance. 

OR

            Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources.

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 a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's license as issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure of employment as Trades Helper.

Note:  Employees in the Auto Mechanic and Auto Body specialties are required, at the time of appointment, to possess and maintain a full complement of tools necessary to perform the tasks assigned.

Class Established - 9/59

Spec. Revision:

CSC - 3/04

Ad. Board - 5/04

Spec Revision:

CSC – 10/19

Ad. Board – 11/19

Spec Revision:

CSC – 06/20

Ad. Board – 07/20

Spec. Revision:

CSC – 9/21

Ad. Board- 11/21

Latest Spec. Revision:

CSC – 12/22

Ad. Board – 12/23

JA