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Mechanical Technologist Grade 3

Plant Maintenance (PM) Mechanical Technologist Grade III Certification is designed to demonstrate competency at the lead or advanced technical level. More specifically, Grade III certification implies competence in the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the Essential Duties of a lead or advanced Mechanical Technologist.

Eligibility Criteria For Taking The Test
The basic requirement is six years of full-time work experience performing the Essential Duties of a Grade III Mechanical Technologist (listed below). You may also qualify by having four years of experience and holding any Grade II Plant Maintenance Certificate for two years, OR having four years of full-time experience and holding an Associate’s degree in a related field, OR having three years of full-time experience and holding a Bachelor’s, or higher, degree in a related field.

Eligibility criteria are summarized in the table below. You may qualify by meeting either Education/Experience Combination A, B, C, or D. If you do not meet any of the combinations of experience and education, then you do not qualify for Grade III:

Qualifying With Your Education
Holding a college degree, or its equivalent, in a field related to your vocation will reduce the number of years required for your test (see the table above). Your degree must be in a field that is related to the certificate for which you are applying. If you are uncertain if your degree is related to your vocation you should still include your degree information in your application. The Technical Certification Program Committee will determine if your degree qualifies. If it does not, you will be accepted for the next highest grade level for which you qualify. Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees in technical fields are usually accepted. Degrees are evaluated on a case-by-case basis upon receipt of the application. College credit without a degree is not accepted unless it can be demonstrated that the credit is equivalent to a degree.

Essential Duties
Individuals certified as Grade III PM Mechanical Technologists are expected to possess acceptable competency when performing the tasks that are necessary for lead or advanced level Mechanical Technologists. These necessary tasks are known as the Essential Duties. The certification test measures knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the Essential Duties.

1. Essential duties identified on the Test Content Specifications for Plant Maintenance Grade I, and Mechanical Technology Grade II.
2. Prepares receives and reviews assignments for the mechanical maintenance of potable water, wastewater, storm drainage, hydraulic power, chemical handling systems and oxygen injection systems.
3. Supervises and participates in and reviews the work of staff responsible for maintenance of the wastewater treatment plant including repair and installation of all hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical equipment.
4. Participates in the development of policies and procedures; monitors work activities to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures and makes recommendations for changes and improvements to existing policies and procedures.
5. Performs complex preventive mechanical maintenance.
6. Performs complex corrective mechanical maintenance by troubleshooting cause of malfunction using visual inspection and precision measuring and testing instruments and replacing or repairing broken parts such as gauges, gaskets, plugs, coils, wires, bearings, drive lines, valves, pistons, rings, crankshafts and pumps.
7. Rebuilds equipment by disassembling, cleaning, ordering replacement parts, repairing mechanical malfunctions and reassembling and testing.
8. Plans or assists in the planning and implementation of computer based maintenance programs.
9. Estimates materials, equipment, and personnel necessary for scheduled and emergency repairs and maintenance.
10. Prepares and is responsible for time and equipment reports.
11. Trains personnel in the proper operation of tools and equipment, chlorine and confined space procedures, and safety practices.
12. Responsible for adherence to safety orders and compliance with federal and CAL-OSHA regulations in all aspects of work.
13. Inspects work in progress and upon completion.
14. Establishes standby lists to insure that personnel are available for problems which might occur after work hours, on weekends, and holidays.
15. Coordinates work with other departments or agencies.
16. Responsible for the administration of outside contract work.
17. Assists in the planning, developing and implementing safety and training programs.

Complexity Of Test Questions
At the Grade III level, certificate candidates are expected to have the knowledge, skill and ability to safely and effectively accomplish and coordinate complex tasks as listed in the Essential Duties above. Grade III candidates are also expected to be familiar with the Grade I Plant Maintenance and Grade II Mechanical Technologist knowledge, skills and abilities. Examinees will have to answer multiple choice questions that test application, analysis, and synthesis of the subject matter. The complexity of the questions will cover the ability: to abstract in particular and concrete situations; to clarify and organize theories and ideas; and to put facts together to form a new solution.

Test Content Areas
The following list is an outline of Test Content Areas. Each content area is a Knowledge, Skill, or Ability that is required to perform the Essential Duties listed above. Since all of the Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities are required to perform the Essential Duties they are all equally important in the demonstration of acceptable competency. Thus, all of the content areas listed below are equally weighted on the test. Candidates should also be thoroughly familiar with the Grade I Plant Maintenance and Grade II Mechanical Technologist Test Content Areas.

Test Content Areas Grade III

1. Knowledge, skills and abilities identified on the Test Content Specifications for Plant Maintenance Grade I, and Mechanical Technology Grade II.
2. The operations, theory, methods, materials, tools, equipment, and safety practices involved in maintenance, construction and repair of mechanical components of potable water, wastewater, and storm drainage systems.
3. Supervisory principles and practices including training, planning and scheduling work, efficient use of personnel, equipment and materials.
4. Methods and techniques of metal fabrication.
5. Methods and techniques of handling and transporting hazardous waste and materials, chemicals and gases.
6. Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
7. Interpret and explain policies, safety practices and standard operational procedures.
8. Respond to and maintain order in emergency situations.
9. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, in the English language.
10. Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
11. Handle public contacts with tact and diplomacy.
12. Supervise, organize and review the work of lower level staff.
13. Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.

14. Troubleshoot and maintain plant equipment, machinery and related facilities used in predictive and maintenance equipment as necessary.

15. Interpret computer maintenance program

16. printouts and determine proper course of action.

17. Read and interpret blueprints, specifications, maps, technical instructions, and information.

18. Keep records and prepare reports.

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