Sign Installation Technician

This position has primary responsibility to install signs and will assist with all aspects of the physical printing and construction of signs. The Install Tech maintains the installation schedule to optimize customer production deadlines and sales commitments. On-site installation of signs and graphics may include minor excavation, carpentry or metal frame assembly & installation in or out of doors, ground level or at heights. Install signs to wood, metal or masonry exterior surfaces or interior installations to sheetrock, painted, masonry or ceramic surfaces. Signmaker will set-up wide format full color printers, with completed sign and graphic files received from graphic designers. Print files onto various substrates and media. Sign construction includes preparing substrates, mounting pre-printed digital image media to substrates, printing images direct to substrate, painting, routing foam or plastic substrates, assembly of hardware for installation.   Signmaker must also mount and/or laminate digital prints including over-laminating, encapsulating of digital printed products. Sign Maker must also proofread signs and conduct quality assurance to ensure the efficient production of high quality, accurate signs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Perform on-site and in-store sign installations in ground and on building interiors or exteriors.
2. Mount sign cabinets to building exteriors or interiors to various framing and surface materials [wood, metal, masonry etc]
3. Follow written layout instructions to place vinyl or full color graphic image(s) on a predetermined substrate or medium.
4. Accurately prepare substrates for vinyl application. This may include cutting, painting, laminating and cleaning the substrates for vinyl application.
5. Accept and organize print files, prepared by graphic designers, following work order specs through Onyx RIP software driving various printers.
6. Operate various printers, cutters, routers or laser engravers on a highly productive schedule, in coordination with the Production Team Leader, producing sign and graphic products with various substrates.
7. Maintain knowledge of printer maintenance, substrate print specifications and production parameters appropriate to equipment requirements and quality standards.
8. Weed excess vinyl from computer cut images. Weeding techniques vary with size, type of vinyl and complexity of image.  Sign Maker must know how and when to use each technique.
9. Perform quality assurance measures pre and post-construction by accurately reading and interpreting a Work Order and then proofing for errors or unacceptable standards (i.e., bubbles, creases, ragged edges, poor registration).
10. Performs finishing operations such as laminating, encapsulating or mounting of printed pieces
11. Thread laminating material into machine, set pressure and guides for proper feeding of printed vinyls and laminate layers.
12. Communicate with other employees and customers in a calm and professional manner; and listen well, learn and perform technical sign production techniques & tasks without continuous supervision.
13. Report inventory levels & stock reorder needs to the manager as needed.
14. Help unload and store raw materials; clean and maintain storage areas.
15. Perform routine machine maintenance and minor repairs when necessary
16. Maintain production rate consistency to meet or exceed product due dates and /or installation deadlines.
17. Work on different projects and /or run multiple production printers or finishing machines simultaneously.
18. Comply with relevant occupational health and safety requirements.
19. Keep the production area neat, clean and organized.
20. Understand the production installation process to respond to customer order/questions in a professional and courteous manner if necessary.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Education/Experience: Any combination of education, training or general

experience that would provide the required skill and knowledge base sufficient

for job performance. This could include:

1. Sufficient formal or informal education to assure the ability to use simple math (adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing whole numbers and fractions, as well as converting fractions to decimals and vice versa).
2. Previous experience as a sign maker or ability to learn to operate equipment and lay vinyl, assemble a variety of substrates or sign materials to manufacture a completed graphic product.
3. Pass all assessments/inventories administered during the hiring process.

Knowledge: Correct English language usage including spelling, grammar and punctuation; ability to proofread; interpreting a ruler; using a calculator.

Skills: General computer skills; weeding and taping of vinyl; aligning vinyl on a substrate; using a squeegee; operating light, but potentially dangerous power equipment; working with wide format printers; cutting substrates and sign finishing, installation skills for posts and panels mounted in ground or pin mounting signs on buildings.

Desirable Qualifications/Traits: Driven to excel, adaptable personality; positive “get it done” attitude; flexibility to work (and be compensated for) occasional overtime; ability to work at a fast pace; an eye for color and design.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, toxic chemicals, and heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Some independent travel may be required.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

1. Ability to stand for long periods of time.
2. Ability to lift 75 or more pounds.
3. Perform installations in outdoor or indoor environments
4. Flexibility to lean over a waist-high table and use back and forth hand motion to apply vinyl letters and graphics to a substrate, also, too lift and reach while mounting sign structures from lift platforms or ladders.
5. Ability to work under pressure to output high volume, high quality work.
6. Ability to use light power equipment.

LEVEL OF AUTHORITY

1. No supervisory requirements.
2. Reports directly to Production Manager, General Manager or owner.

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

1. Personal Time Off [PTO] used for vacation, sick or other needs. Accrues from day one of employment with employee entitled to use PTO after 6 months successful employment.
2. Seven paid holidays: Birthday; New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
3. Employee health insurance (premium cost shared between Employer/employee).
4. Dental Insurance paid by employer.
5. AD&D / Life Insurance

PERFORMANCE AND SALARY REVIEWS

1. A ninety day performance assessment upon successfully completing the orientation phase will be performed and shared with employee. The first formal written review will occur after 6 months.
2. Subsequent performance reviews will take place every 12 months.