Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

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.

Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.

Yearly Salary

High: $76K
Median: $54K
Low: $36K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Measure furnace walls to determine dimensions and cut required number of sheets from plastic block, using saws.
  • Reline or repair ladles and pouring spouts with refractory clay, using trowels.
  • Dry and bake new linings by placing inverted linings over burners, building fires in ladles, or by using blowtorches.
  • Remove worn or damaged plastic block refractory linings of furnaces, using hand tools.
  • Chip slag from linings of ladles or remove linings when beyond repair, using hammers and chisels.
  • Climb scaffolding, carrying hoses, and spray surfaces of cupolas with refractory mixtures, using spray equipment.
  • Mix specified amounts of sand, clay, mortar powder, and water to form refractory clay or mortar, using shovels or mixing machines.
  • Spread mortar on stopper heads and rods, using trowels, and slide brick sleeves over rods to form refractory jackets.
  • Dump and tamp clay in molds, using tamping tools.
  • Transfer clay structures to curing ovens, melting tanks, and drawing kilns, using forklifts.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Facilities management software
Maintenance management software
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Time accounting software
Time tracking software
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Personal computers
Foundry machines and equipment and supplies
Foundry transfer ladles
Hand tools
Cordless saws
Heating and ventilation and air circulation
Rotary kilns
Heavy construction machinery and equipment
Skid steer tractors
Industrial filtering and purification
Acid scrubbers
Industrial pumps and compressors
Variable speed mortar pumps
Laboratory and scientific equipment
Burner management systems
Material handling machinery and equipment
Boom trucks
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Trough finders
Metal cutting machinery and accessories
Band saws
Mixers and their parts and accessories
Horizontal helical blade mixers
Motor vehicles
Mixer trucks
Welding and soldering and brazing machinery and accessories and supplies
Cutting torches

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Mechanical
71%
Importance

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

Production and Processing
60%
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
55%
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.

English Language
54%
Importance

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

Mathematics
52%
Importance

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

Chemistry
50%
Importance

Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Design
49%
Importance

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

Education and Training
49%
Importance

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

Building and Construction
46%
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.

Engineering and Technology
45%
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.

Top 10 Skills

Operations Monitoring
65%
Importance

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

Repairing
63%
Importance

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

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.

Equipment Maintenance
60%
Importance

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

Operation and Control
60%
Importance

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Coordination
58%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking
58%
Importance

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

Reading Comprehension
58%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Time Management
58%
Importance

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

Troubleshooting
58%
Importance

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

Top 10 Abilities

Arm-Hand Steadiness
73%
Importance

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

Extent Flexibility
70%
Importance

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

Near Vision
70%
Importance

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

Control Precision
68%
Importance

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

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.

Multilimb Coordination
68%
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.

Oral Comprehension
68%
Importance

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

Gross Body Equilibrium
65%
Importance

The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.

Trunk Strength
65%
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.

Oral Expression
63%
Importance

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

Top 10 Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects
86%
Importance

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

Performing General Physical Activities
81%
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.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
76%
Importance

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

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
75%
Importance

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

Getting Information
74%
Importance

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

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
74%
Importance

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

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
72%
Importance

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

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
71%
Importance

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

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
69%
Importance

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

Training and Teaching Others
67%
Importance

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
  • Prepare compounds or solutions to be used for repairs.
  • Measure distances or dimensions.
  • Cut materials according to specifications or needs.
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Repair structural components.
  • Climb equipment or structures to access work areas.
  • Seal gaps or cracks to prevent leakage or moisture intrusion.
  • Place materials into molds.
  • Move large objects using heavy 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
51%
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
32%
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
19%
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.

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.

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
62%
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
43%
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
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
34%
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.