Summary for:
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline OperatorsDescription:
Operate or tend machinery equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets, to excavate and load loose materials.Sample of reported job titles:
Sample of reported job titles: Loader Operator, Dragline Operator, Heavy Equipment Operator, Equipment Operator, Backhoe Operator, Track Hoe Operator, Dragline Oiler, Operating Engineer, Pit Operator, End Loader Operator
Tasks | Knowledge | Skills | Abilities | Activites | Experience | Example | Education | Work Style | Work Values | Related Jobs | Wage | Employment | Expected Growth | Expected Need
Tasks:
- Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery such as power shovels, stripping-shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
- Set up and inspect equipment prior to operation.
- Observe hand signals, grade stakes, and other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
- Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and with efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
- Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, and making winter roads.
- Create and maintain inclines and ramps, and handle slides, mud, and pit cleanings and maintenance.
- Lubricate, adjust, and repair machinery, and replace parts such as gears, bearings, and bucket teeth.
- Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.
- Measure and verify levels of rock or gravel, bases, and other excavated material.
- Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
Knowledge:
| Mechanical ó Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. |
| Building and Construction ó Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. |
| Public Safety and Security ó Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. |
Skills:
| Equipment Maintenance ó Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. |
| Operation and Control ó Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
| Operation Monitoring ó Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
| Equipment Selection ó Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job. |
| Repairing ó Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. |
| Troubleshooting ó Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. |
| Instructing ó Teaching others how to do something. |
| Coordination ó Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
| Critical Thinking ó Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
| Active Listening ó Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
Abilities:
| Control Precision ó The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. |
| Multilimb Coordination ó The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion. |
| Depth Perception ó The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. |
| Manual Dexterity ó The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects. |
| Far Vision ó The ability to see details at a distance. |
| Spatial Orientation ó The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you. |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness ó The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. |
| Rate Control ó The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene. |
| Response Orientation ó The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part. |
| Auditory Attention ó The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds. |
Work Activities:
| Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment ó Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft. |
| Controlling Machines and Processes ó Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). |
| Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material ó Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. |
| Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings ó Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. |
| Handling and Moving Objects ó Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things. |
| Getting Information ó Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. |
| Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates ó Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. |
| identifying Objects, Actions, and Events ó identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. |
| Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work ó Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. |
| Making Decisions and Solving Problems ó Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. |
Work Experience:
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.Work Examples:
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.Education Requirements:
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.Work Style:
| Dependability ó Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. |
| Attention to Detail ó Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. |
| Cooperation ó Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. |
| Independence ó Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. |
| Initiative ó Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. |
| Integrity ó Job requires being honest and ethical. |
| Adaptability/Flexibility ó Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. |
| Concern for Others ó Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. |
| Stress Tolerance ó Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations. |
| Analytical Thinking ó Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. |
Work Values:
| Support ó Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. |
| Independence ó Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
| Relationships ó Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. |
Related Jobs:
| 45-4022.00 | Logging Equipment Operators |
| 47-2071.00 | Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators  |
| 47-2072.00 | Pile-Driver Operators |
| 47-2073.00 | Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators |
| 47-4051.00 | Highway Maintenance Workers |
| 47-4061.00 | Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators |
| 47-5081.00 | Helpers--Extraction Workers |
| 53-7021.00 | Crane and Tower Operators |
| 53-7031.00 | Dredge Operators |
| 53-7051.00 | Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators |