First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
What is a First-Line Supervisor of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers?
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers are responsible for overseeing the work of mechanics and technicians who install, repair, and maintain machinery and equipment. They ensure that their team follows safety regulations and procedures, while also monitoring work quality and quantity. These supervisors play a key role in organizing workloads, coordinating schedules, and providing training and instruction to subordinate staff. They are often involved in assessing job performance, resolving operational issues, and implementing maintenance programs to enhance efficiency. Their leadership is essential in fostering a productive work environment, ensuring technical competency, and meeting project deadlines within budget constraints. Their role balances hands-on technical skills with managerial duties, requiring strong communication, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
Tasks
- Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
- Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
- Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
- Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance.
- Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment.
Technology Skills
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Presentation software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Project management software
- Electronic mail software
Tools Used
- Tape measures
- Liquid penetrant examination equipment
- Power drills
- Plasma arc welding machine
- Spot welding machine
Knowledge
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Administration and Management
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.
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Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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Customer and Personal Service
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.
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Administrative
Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Skills
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Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Management of Personnel Resources
Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Some college, no degree
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Post-secondary certificate
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)
Work Activities
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
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Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Detailed Work Activities
- Supervise employees.
- Train others in operational procedures.
- Inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning.
- Interpret blueprints, specifications, or diagrams to inform installation, development or operation activities.
- Measure distances or dimensions.
Work Interests
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Enterprising
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.
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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.
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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.

Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$46070.0 - $118980.0
New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.