Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators - 53-7032.00    
Summary Occupational Forecast Data
Annual Average Employment Employment Change Average Annual Job Openings Wage and Training Levels
2013 2018 Numerical Percent New Jobs Replacement Jobs Total Median Hourly   Median Annual     Education & Training Level  
225
231
6
3%
1
7
8
$21.62
$44,967
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Staffing Pattern Data Forecast Data Source: EMSI (1st Quarter 2013)
 
Description
Operate or tend machinery equipped with scoops, shovels, or buckets, to excavate and load loose materials.
 
 

Occupation Details
 The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Tasks
  • Knowledge and Skills
  • Job Zone
  • Work Styles and Values
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 or inspect equipment prior to operation.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or 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, or making winter roads.
  • Create and maintain inclines and ramps, and handle slides, mud, and pit cleanings and maintenance.
  • Lubricate, adjust, or repair machinery and replace parts, such as gears, bearings, or 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, or other excavated material.
  • Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
  • Adjust dig face angles for varying overburden depths and set lengths.
  • Drive machines to work sites.
  • Perform manual labor to prepare or finish sites, such as shoveling materials by hand.
Knowledge
  Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  Building and Construction - 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 - 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
  Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Active Listening - 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.
  Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Abilities
  Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  Multilimb Coordination - 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 - 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 - 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 - The ability to see details at a distance.
  Spatial Orientation - The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
  Response Orientation - 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.
  Rate Control - 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.
  Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
  Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Peripheral Vision - The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
  Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  Speed of Limb Movement - The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
  Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes compa
  Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  Time Sharing - The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
  Glare Sensitivity - The ability to see objects in the presence of glare or bright lighting.
  Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Work Activities
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Job Zone  
Title Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Overall Experience Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
Education These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Interests
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi
 
Work Styles
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
 
Work Values