Crane and Tower Operators

Skills

• Operation and Control

  Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

• Operations Monitoring

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

• Critical Thinking

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

• 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.

• Monitoring

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

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.

• Far Vision

  The ability to see details at a distance.

• 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.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

• Post-secondary certificate
  61 %

  Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)

• High school diploma or equivalent
  32 %

  or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

• Less than high school diploma
  8 %

Work Activities

• 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 Materials

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

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

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

• 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.

Detailed Work Activities

• Weigh materials to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Verify information or specifications.
• Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
• Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
• Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.

Work Interests

• Realistic

  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

  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.