Press Operator Assistant - All Widths jobs in Tacoma, WA

**We're now offering retention bonuses for this position! New employee will receive two $600 bonuses, one after 90 days and a second after 180 days of service with the company!**

The Seattle Times, the Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, is looking for an experienced journey-level Press Operator. On this team, you will prepare the press for standard printing projects by operating a cylinder-type printing press. In addition, you will be asked to verify size, color, and type of paper and color of ink for each job order. You should be comfortable directing and overseeing a print job while evaluating and assisting direct reports and crew members. In addition, you will be responsible for comparing printed product to proofs for quality assurance, adjusting where needed to ensure compliance with standards for customer approved samples.

Responsibilities

• Inspects printed sheet visually during the production run and corrects the ink and water balance as needed. Uses measuring equipment (i.e. densitometer, loupe, line gauge, etc.) to measure product quality.
• Registers forms and mixes colors.
• Cleans inking rollers with solvent and replaces them in press.
• Adjusts controls to regulate volume of ink to achieve target and color values.
• Packs impression cylinder with packing.
• Adjusts press controls, inking fountains, and automatic feeders, and repacks cylinder with packing to equalize uneven areas as required.
• Performs preventative maintenance as required.
• Runs press in place of operator when necessary.
• Maintains a constant color-match to color proofs or customer approved samples.

Qualifications

• Experience: Two to three years related experience or the completion of a recognized apprenticeship program.
• Education: High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Able to regularly stand, walk, and talk or hear.
• Able to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Compensation

The full salary range for this position is $27.21 to $33.41 per hour. 

Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Optional life, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term care insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution 
• 10 days of annual vacation accrual, increasing with tenure up to 20 days
• Sick pay accrues at a rate of .025 hour per hour worked
• 5 paid holidays and 4 personal paid days off
• Complimentary Seattle Times subscription
• Wellness program
• Parental leave options

Please Note: This position requires you to join a union and pay ongoing union dues each month. In addition, you will be required to undergo a pre-employment drug screen for controlled substances (excludes cannabis) once an offer has been made.

Founded in 1896, The Seattle Times continues its tradition as a family-owned, Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that cuts through the clutter and provides readers with timely, relevant news. We serve the Pacific Northwest with thoughtful, independent journalism that makes a real difference in our community. And as a media solutions company, we combine cutting-edge digital capabilities and service with the values and integrity of respected traditional media… with an established audience of 2.1 million. At The Seattle Times, you'll find work that matters.

If you need assistance to accommodate a disability, please contact Human Resources at careers@seattletimes.com and provide a description of the reasonable accommodation(s) needed.