Graphic Design Pre-Flight Operator

The State of New Hampshire; Concord (NH); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

HMO or POS medical and prescription

Dental plan at minimal cost

Flexible Spending healthcare and child

State defined retirement plan and 457b

Work/life balance with flexible hours

Life insurance $50,000

Wellness program (up to $500)

State retirement benefit contribution

Job summary

The State of New Hampshire is seeking a pre-press production lead to manage a small team, producing camera-ready outputs for offset printing, and supporting various web and online order forms.

You will prepare electronic typesetting, page layouts, and drafts for state print shops, working across Windows and MAC environments with PageMaker, In Design, Quark Express, and Microsoft Word. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Equivalent combination of 3 years of education and experience in graphic arts, printing, or computer-related discipline.
• Experience in the printing industry is required.
• Desktop publishing experience with Aldus PageMaker, QuarkXPress, and similar software preferred in MAC/PC environments.
• Knowledge of printing, typesetting, computer logic, and networking.
• Typing ability of at least 60 wpm (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Lead a co-team to run daily operations for desktop publishing pre-press workflow.
• Prepare electronic typesetting, page layout, and design for mechanicals used by State print shops and printers.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate design projects by translating codes and testing macros in Microsoft Word.
• Transfer data to desktop publishing tools across Windows and MAC environments for production of legal and public documents.
• Direct and assist Pre-Press Operators with logo and advertisement design using Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Schedule workflow to meet deadlines and coordinate with agencies and printing schedules.
• Coordinate with graphics and bindery departments to support cost-effective production methods.
• Train staff on new formatting and programming methods to improve efficiency.

Skills

Typing 60 wpm

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Education

3+ years in graphic arts/printing related field

Tools

Aldus PageMaker

QuarkXPress

Microsoft Word

PageMaker

InDesign

Windows

MAC

Adobe Photoshop

Illustrator

PostScript printers

4-color copier

Job description

Join a small pre-press production department supporting camera-ready output, web page needs, and online order form sites.

Responsibilities

• Lead a co-team to run daily operations for a desktop publishing pre-press production workflow, producing camera-ready artwork for offset printing and copying.
• Prepare electronic typesetting, page layout, and design for mechanicals used by State print shops and commercial printers.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate design projects by translating word-processor codes and writing and testing macros in Microsoft Word.
• Transfer data to desktop publishing tools including PageMaker, In Design, and Quark Express across Windows and MAC environments for production of law books, legislative documents, brochures, booklets, forms, mailers, and posters.
• Direct and/or assist Pre-Press Production Computer Operators with logo, artwork, and advertisement design and layout using electronic scanning devices and tools such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Advise client agencies, Pre-Press Production Computer Operators, and the immediate supervisor on production methods and format and design choices to help avoid costly delays and reproduction issues.
• Schedule workflow and delegation to meet critical deadlines, priority projects, and regular work needs while avoiding conflicts with agency demands and printing schedules.
• Coordinate with Graphic Services printing and bindery departments to support the most cost-effective production methods.
• Evaluate and interpret electronically retrieved data (including from disks), and define methods for providing files to outside sources when requested.
• Maintain close staff contact with Senate and House Clerks’ offices to support overnight reproduction of telecommunicated legislative documents via the internet and shared computer networks, as dictated.
• Monitor equipment and networking links; troubleshoot computer hardware and software issues and peripheral devices (including backup drives, postscript laser printers, and a 4-color copier).
• Schedule service and support as needed; maintain supply inventories and place orders using appropriate purchasing authority for materials required to keep the department operating efficiently.
• Research and recommend new software and equipment.
• Train and communicate with Pre-Press Production Computer Operators on new formatting and programming methods to improve efficiency and capability.
• Estimate typesetting, color copy, and related charges to support accurate billing and cost recovery of projects submitted by State agencies.
• Report to and maintain close contact with the immediate supervisor to ensure area projects and internal issues are known and handled by appropriate authority.
• Write memos, e-mail correspondence, reports, and summaries.
• Schedule and attend meetings, programs, and classes as required or useful for improving the department.
• Treat everyone encountered as a customer with consistent courtesy, respect, and professionalism.

Requirements

• Education/Experience: Equivalent combination of 3 years of education and experience after completion of high school; education must be in graphic arts, printing, or a computer-related discipline.
• Printing industry experience: Experience must be in the printing industry.
• Desktop publishing (preferred): Use of desktop publishing skills on Aldus Pagemaker, Quark Express, and/or similar software in a MAC/personal computer environment.
• Knowledge of printing, typesetting, computer logic, and networking.
• Good working knowledge of arithmetic, spelling, and grammar.
• Typing: Ability to type a minimum of 60 wpm (preferred).
• Some knowledge of cost estimating and typesetting requirements (and some knowledge of web design, online posting, and site management).
• Ability to organize a diverse workload to support an effective production schedule.
• Strong decision-making and organizational capabilities; ability to write and communicate effectively; analytical skills for problem solving.
• Reliable ability to maintain confidentiality as required.
• License/Certification: None
• Other Requirements: None

Technologies

• Aldus Pagemaker
• Quark Express
• Microsoft Word
• PageMaker
• In Design
• Windows
• MAC
• Adobe Photoshop
• Illustrator
• postscript laser printers
• 4-color copier

Benefits

• HMO or POS medical and prescription drug benefits
• Dental plan at minimal cost for employees and their families ($500-$1800 value)
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• State defined benefit retirement plan and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/life balance with flexible schedules, paid holidays, and a generous leave plan
• $50,000 state-paid life insurance plus additional low-cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program (ability to earn up to $500)
• Value of State share of Employee’s Retirement: 12.87% of pay

Location: Concord, NH (onsite)

Salary: USD 19 - 26 per hourly

Minimum Experience: 3 years

YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience, and/or each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.