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First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators

First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators

Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
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.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

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.

Examples

These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of material-moving machine and vehicle operators and helpers.

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Enforce safety rules and regulations.

Plan work assignments and equipment allocations to meet transportation, operations or production goals.

Review orders, production schedules, blueprints, or shipping or receiving notices to determine work sequences and material shipping dates, types, volumes, or destinations.

Inspect or test materials, stock, vehicles, equipment, or facilities to ensure that they are safe, free of defects, and consistent with specifications.

Confer with customers, supervisors, contractors, or other personnel to exchange information or to resolve problems.

Monitor field work to ensure proper performance and use of materials.

Dispatch personnel and vehicles in response to telephone or radio reports of emergencies.

Drive vehicles or operate machines or equipment to complete work assignments or to assist workers.

Examine, measure, or weigh cargo or materials to determine specific handling requirements.

Interpret transportation or tariff regulations, shipping orders, safety regulations, or company policies and procedures for workers.

Maintain or verify records of time, materials, expenditures, or crew activities.

Prepare, compile, and submit reports on work activities, operations, production, or work-related accidents.

Resolve worker problems or collaborate with employees to assist in problem resolution.

Perform or schedule repairs or preventive maintenance of vehicles or other equipment.

Recommend or implement personnel actions, such as employee selection, evaluation, rewards, or disciplinary actions.

Explain and demonstrate work tasks to new workers or assign training tasks to experienced workers.

Compute or estimate cash, payroll, transportation, personnel, or storage requirements.

Recommend and implement measures to improve worker motivation, equipment performance, work methods, or customer services.

Requisition needed personnel, supplies, equipment, parts, or repair services.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Accounting software
General ledger software
Bar coding software
Barcode software
Calendar and scheduling software
Scheduling software
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Map creation software
Mapping software
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Optimum Logistics LoadPlanner
Mobile location based services software
Commercial vehicle operations CVO software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Two way radios
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Personal computers
Hand tools
Grease guns
Material handling machinery and equipment
Hand trucks
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Micrometers
Transportation services equipment
Lug wrenches
Vehicle bodies and trailers
Lowboys
Welding and soldering and brazing machinery and accessories and supplies
Portable welding equipment
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Transportation
92%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Customer and Personal Service
87%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Administration and Management
85%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

English Language
79%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Personnel and Human Resources
74%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Clerical
72%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Computers and Electronics
69%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Mathematics
66%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Production and Processing
64%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Public Safety and Security
64%
Importance

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.

Top 10 Skills
Active Listening
80%
Importance

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.

Coordination
80%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Management of Personnel Resources
80%
Importance

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Time Management
80%
Importance

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Critical Thinking
78%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking
78%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Monitoring
75%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Reading Comprehension
75%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Social Perceptiveness
75%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Complex Problem Solving
73%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity
75%
Importance

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.

Written Comprehension
75%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Deductive Reasoning
73%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Near Vision
73%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Inductive Reasoning
70%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Speech Clarity
70%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
70%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Written Expression
70%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Top 10 Work Activities
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
93%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
91%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Getting Information
90%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Scheduling Work and Activities
87%
Importance

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
85%
Importance

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
85%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
85%
Importance

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
85%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Developing and Building Teams
83%
Importance

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
82%
Importance

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Detailed Work Activities

Direct material handling or moving activities.

Plan work operations.

Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures.

Test materials, solutions, or samples.

Inspect motor vehicles.

Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with safety, quality, or service standards.

Resolve issues affecting transportation operations.

Monitor work environment to ensure safety or adherence to specifications.

Direct emergency management activities.

Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.

Verify information or specifications.

Record operational or production data.

Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.

Prepare accident or incident reports.

Resolve personnel problems.

Recommend personnel decisions or human resources activities.

Arrange maintenance activities.

Maintain vehicles in good working condition.

Acquire supplies or equipment.

Measure product or material dimensions.

Weigh materials to ensure compliance with specifications.

Determine resource needs.

Load shipments, belongings, or materials.

Direct passenger or freight transport activities.

Schedule product or material transportation.

Work Context
Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Electronic Mail

How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Responsibility for Outcomes and Results

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Education
Majors
Major
Ground Transportation
Interests
Enterprising
100%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
81%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Realistic
67%
Importance

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 outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social
29%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Investigative
24%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
93%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Leadership
92%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Stress Tolerance
92%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Cooperation
91%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail
90%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity
89%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Adaptability/Flexibility
88%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Self Control
88%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Concern for Others
86%
Importance

Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Initiative
85%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Work Values
Support
86%
Importance

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
81%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Relationships
77%
Importance

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.

Working Conditions
65%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Achievement
62%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.