Description
Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Support
- Relationships
- Working Conditions
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Self-Control
- Integrity
- Cooperation
Tasks
- Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
- Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
- Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
- Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
- Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Getting Information
- Training and Teaching Others
Detailed Work Activities
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Technology Skills
- Electronic mail software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Spreadsheet software
- Network security or virtual private network VPN management software
- Office suite software
Abilities
- Information Ordering
- Near Vision
- Auditory Attention
- Control Precision
- Far Vision
Skills
- Monitoring
- Active Listening
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Judgment and Decision Making
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- English Language
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Coating Inspector Program - Nuclear SpecialtyCertifying Organization
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Coating Inspector Program Level 1 - Marine SpecialtyCertifying Organization
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
Type
Specialty
Certifying Organization
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Coating Inspector Program - Bridge SpecialtyCertifying Organization
The Association for Materials Protection and Performance
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $43,492 |
| Median (50%) | $46,969 |
| High (90%) | $59,903 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $46,710 |
| Mid Level | N/A |
| Senior Level | N/A |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 3,600 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 3,600 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 1%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 1%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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