Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Overview

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Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Education

Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

Yearly Salary

High: $75K
Median: $50K
Low: $32K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
  • Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
  • Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
  • Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
  • Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
  • Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
  • Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
  • Inspect or test damaged machine parts, and mark defective areas or advise supervisors of repair needs.
  • Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
  • Start machines and observe mechanical operation to determine efficiency and to detect problems.
  • Collect and discard worn machine parts and other refuse to maintain machinery and work areas.
  • Transport machine parts, tools, equipment, and other material between work areas and storage, using cranes, hoists, or dollies.
  • Inventory and requisition machine parts, equipment, and other supplies so that stock can be maintained and replenished.
  • Remove hardened material from machines or machine parts, using abrasives, power and hand tools, jackhammers, sledgehammers, or other equipment.
  • Clean machines and machine parts, using cleaning solvents, cloths, air guns, hoses, vacuums, or other equipment.
  • Replace, empty, or replenish machine and equipment containers such as gas tanks or boxes.
  • Replace or repair metal, wood, leather, glass, or other lining in machines, or in equipment compartments or containers.
  • Measure, mix, prepare, and test chemical solutions used to clean or repair machinery and equipment.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Calendar and scheduling software
Scheduling software
Data base user interface and query software
Database software
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software
Facilities management software
Computerized maintenance management system software CMMS
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Operating system software
Operating system software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Tablet computers
Construction and maintenance support equipment
Ladders
Grinding and polishing and smoothing materials
Abrasive wheels
Hand tools
Hacksaws
Heavy construction machinery and equipment
Manlifts
Industrial process machinery and equipment and supplies
Safety blocks
Janitorial equipment
Industrial vacuums
Material handling machinery and equipment
Jacks
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Dial indicators
Metal cutting machinery and accessories
Metal cutting taps
Metal forming machinery and accessories
Metal cutting dies
Personal safety and protection
Safety glasses
Pneumatic machinery and equipment
Compressed air guns
Printed circuits and integrated circuits and microassemblies
Programmable logic controllers PLC
Raw materials processing machinery
Milling machines
Security surveillance and detection
Lockout hasps
Transportation services equipment
Hones
Welding and soldering and brazing machinery and accessories and supplies
Soldering guns

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Mechanical
91%
Importance

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

Production and Processing
68%
Importance

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

Administration and Management
65%
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
61%
Importance

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

English Language
61%
Importance

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

Education and Training
60%
Importance

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

Engineering and Technology
58%
Importance

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Mathematics
56%
Importance

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

Computers and Electronics
51%
Importance

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

Public Safety and Security
48%
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

Equipment Maintenance
75%
Importance

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Operations Monitoring
75%
Importance

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

Repairing
75%
Importance

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Troubleshooting
75%
Importance

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Operation and Control
73%
Importance

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Quality Control Analysis
63%
Importance

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

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.

Judgment and Decision Making
60%
Importance

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

Top 10 Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
80%
Importance

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

Problem Sensitivity
73%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Manual Dexterity
68%
Importance

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

Near Vision
68%
Importance

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

Control Precision
65%
Importance

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

Extent Flexibility
63%
Importance

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.

Multilimb Coordination
63%
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.

Visualization
63%
Importance

The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Deductive Reasoning
60%
Importance

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

Finger Dexterity
60%
Importance

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

Top 10 Work Activities

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
87%
Importance

Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Controlling Machines and Processes
84%
Importance

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

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
84%
Importance

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

Getting Information
82%
Importance

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

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
79%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
79%
Importance

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

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
75%
Importance

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

Handling and Moving Objects
75%
Importance

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

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
74%
Importance

Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
73%
Importance

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

Detailed Work Activities

  • Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
  • Reassemble equipment after repair.
  • Maintain repair or maintenance records.
  • Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
  • Install machine or equipment replacement parts.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Confer with coworkers to resolve equipment problems.
  • Read work orders or descriptions of problems to determine repairs or modifications needed.
  • Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
  • Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Communicate with coworkers to coordinate installations or repairs.
  • Observe equipment in operation to detect potential problems.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Clean work areas.
  • Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
  • Order materials, supplies, or equipment.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
  • Position containers to receive materials or workpieces.
  • Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Test fluids to identify contamination or other problems.
  • Prepare compounds or solutions to be used for repairs.

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
64%
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.

Enterprising
18%
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.

Artistic
15%
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
15%
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.

Work Values

Support
81%
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
72%
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
58%
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
55%
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
48%
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
34%
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.