Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

The work

Core tasks

1. 01Learn and follow safety regulations.
2. 02Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
3. 03Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
4. 04Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
5. 05Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
6. 06Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
7. 07Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.
8. 08Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.
9. 09Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.
10. 10Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.
11. 11Operate tractors or bulldozers to perform such tasks as clearing land, mixing sludge, trimming backfills, or building roadways or parking lots.
12. 12Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met.

Capabilities

Essential skills

Employment outlook

Where the role is heading