Fence Erectors

Overview

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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, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.

Erect and repair fences and fence gates, using hand and power tools.

Yearly Salary

High: $57K
Median: $37K
Low: $26K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Establish the location for a fence, and gather information needed to ensure that there are no electric cables or water lines in the area.
  • Align posts, by lines or sighting, and verify vertical alignment of posts, using plumb bobs or spirit levels.
  • Measure and lay out fence lines and mark posthole positions, following instructions, drawings, or specifications.
  • Set metal or wooden posts in upright positions in postholes.
  • Attach rails or tension wire along bottoms of posts to form fencing frames.
  • Assemble gates, and fasten gates into position, using hand tools.
  • Attach fence rail supports to posts, using hammers and pliers.
  • Dig postholes, using spades, posthole diggers, or power-driven augers.
  • Mix and pour concrete around bases of posts, or tamp soil into postholes to embed posts.
  • Make rails for fences, by sawing lumber or by cutting metal tubing to required lengths.
  • Nail top and bottom rails to fence posts, or insert them in slots on posts.
  • Discuss fencing needs with customers, and estimate and quote prices.
  • Stretch wire, wire mesh, or chain link fencing between posts, and attach fencing to frames.
  • Complete top fence rails of metal fences by connecting tube sections, using metal sleeves.
  • Erect alternate panel, basket weave, and louvered fences.
  • Insert metal tubing through rail supports.
  • Nail pointed slats to rails to construct picket fences.
  • Blast rock formations and rocky areas with dynamite to facilitate posthole digging.
  • Construct and repair barriers, retaining walls, trellises, and other types of fences, walls, and gates.
  • Weld metal parts together, using portable gas welding equipment.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD
Project management software
Software Design Associates Computer Fencing System CFS
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Tablet computers
Hand tools
Comealongs
Heavy construction machinery and equipment
Cement mixers
Material handling machinery and equipment
Hand jacks
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Electric fence testers
Metal cutting machinery and accessories
Pipe cutters
Personal safety and protection
Electric fence grounding rods
Security surveillance and detection
Remote opening systems
Welding and soldering and brazing machinery and accessories and supplies
Portable gas operated arc welders

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Customer and Personal Service
81%
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.

Building and Construction
80%
Importance

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Transportation
78%
Importance

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

Administration and Management
76%
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.

Design
75%
Importance

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Mathematics
70%
Importance

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

Education and Training
67%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

English Language
67%
Importance

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

Mechanical
66%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Sales and Marketing
65%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Top 10 Skills

Active Listening
60%
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
60%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking
60%
Importance

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

Monitoring
60%
Importance

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

Speaking
60%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Time Management
60%
Importance

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

Judgment and Decision Making
58%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Operation and Control
58%
Importance

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operations Monitoring
58%
Importance

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Complex Problem Solving
53%
Importance

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

Top 10 Abilities

Manual Dexterity
75%
Importance

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Trunk Strength
75%
Importance

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

Multilimb Coordination
73%
Importance

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.

Static Strength
68%
Importance

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Arm-Hand Steadiness
65%
Importance

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Finger Dexterity
65%
Importance

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Control Precision
63%
Importance

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Dynamic Strength
63%
Importance

The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.

Information Ordering
63%
Importance

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).

Near Vision
63%
Importance

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

Top 10 Work Activities

Controlling Machines and Processes
79%
Importance

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Performing General Physical Activities
78%
Importance

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Getting Information
76%
Importance

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

Handling and Moving Objects
75%
Importance

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
74%
Importance

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

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
73%
Importance

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
72%
Importance

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

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
71%
Importance

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

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
69%
Importance

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
67%
Importance

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

Detailed Work Activities

  • Determine appropriate locations for operations or installations.
  • Position structural components.
  • Measure work site dimensions.
  • Mark reference points on construction materials.
  • Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
  • Install fencing or other barriers.
  • Dig holes or trenches.
  • Install wooden structural components.
  • Mix substances or compounds needed for work activities.
  • Pour materials into or on designated areas.
  • Cut wood components for installation.
  • Communicate with clients about products, procedures, and policies.
  • Install metal structural components.
  • Weld metal components.
  • Operate detonation equipment.

Education

Interests

Realistic
100%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Conventional
53%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Investigative
31%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Artistic
20%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Social
20%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Enterprising
15%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Work Values

Relationships
53%
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.

Support
53%
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
39%
Importance

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

Working Conditions
39%
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
29%
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
29%
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.