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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators - 47-2073.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Back Hoe Operator
  • Engineering Equipment Operator
  • Equipment Operator (EO)
  • Forklift Operator
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO)
  • Hot Mix Asphalt Operator
  • Machine Operator
  • Motor Grader Operator
  • Operating Engineer
  • Track Hoe Operator

SOC Occupation Groups

47-0000 Construction and Extraction Occupations
47-2000 Construction Trades Workers
47-2070 Construction Equipment Operators
47-2073.00 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust handwheels and depress pedals to control attachments, such as blades, buckets, scrapers, or swing booms.
  • Align machines, cutterheads, or depth gauge makers with reference stakes and guidelines or ground or position equipment, following hand signals of other workers.
  • Check fuel supplies at sites to ensure adequate availability.
  • Compile cost estimates for jobs.
  • Connect hydraulic hoses, belts, mechanical linkages, or power takeoff shafts to tractors.
  • Coordinate machine actions with other activities, positioning or moving loads in response to hand or audio signals from crew members.
  • Drive and maneuver equipment equipped with blades in successive passes over working areas to remove topsoil, vegetation, or rocks or to distribute and level earth or terrain.
  • Drive tractor-trailer trucks to move equipment from site to site.
  • Keep records of material or equipment usage or problems encountered.
  • Learn and follow safety regulations.
  • Load and move dirt, rocks, equipment, or other materials, using trucks, crawler tractors, power cranes, shovels, graders, or related equipment.
  • Locate underground services, such as pipes or wires, prior to beginning work.
  • Monitor operations to ensure that health and safety standards are met.
  • Operate compactors, scrapers, or rollers to level, compact, or cover refuse at disposal grounds.
  • Operate equipment to demolish or remove debris or to remove snow from streets, roads, or parking lots.
  • Operate loaders to pull out stumps, rip asphalt or concrete, rough-grade properties, bury refuse, or perform general cleanup.
  • Operate road watering, oiling, or rolling equipment, or street sealing equipment, such as chip spreaders.
  • Operate tractors or bulldozers to perform such tasks as clearing land, mixing sludge, trimming backfills, or building roadways or parking lots.
  • Perform specialized work, using equipment, such as pile drivers, dredging rigs, drillers, or concrete pumpers.
  • Push other equipment when extra traction or assistance is required.
  • Repair and maintain equipment, making emergency adjustments or assisting with major repairs as necessary.
  • Select and fasten bulldozer blades or other attachments to tractors, using hitches.
  • Signal operators to guide movement of tractor-drawn machines.
  • Start engines, move throttles, switches, or levers, or depress pedals to operate machines, such as bulldozers, trench excavators, road graders, or backhoes.
  • Take actions to avoid potential hazards or obstructions, such as utility lines, other equipment, other workers, or falling objects.
  • Talk to clients and study instructions, plans, or diagrams to establish work requirements.
  • Test atmosphere for adequate oxygen or explosive conditions when working in confined spaces.
  • Turn valves to control air or water output of compressors or pumps.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Assist skilled construction or extraction personnel.
  • Communicate with clients about products, procedures, and policies.
  • Compact materials to create level bases.
  • Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.
  • Estimate construction project costs.
  • Install equipment attachments or components.
  • Load or unload materials used in construction or extraction.
  • Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
  • Maintain construction tools or equipment.
  • Monitor construction operations.
  • Move construction or extraction materials to locations where they are needed.
  • Operate equipment or vehicles to clear construction sites or move materials.
  • Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.
  • Operate pumps or compressors.
  • Operate road-surfacing equipment.
  • Position construction or extraction equipment.
  • Record operational or environmental data.
  • Remove debris or vegetation from work sites.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Select construction equipment.
  • Signal equipment operators to indicate proper equipment positioning.
  • Test air quality at work sites.
  • Update job related knowledge or skills.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Advanced Construction Mechanic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Advanced Equipment Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Systems Tactician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Air and Missile Defense (AMD) Systems Technician (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, A10 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, All Other (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, B-1 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, B-52/B-2 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, F-15 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, F-16 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, F-35 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, F/A-22 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Apprentice, RPA (MQ-1/MQ-9) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, A10 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, All Other (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, B-1 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, B-52/B-2 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, F-15 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, F-16 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, F-35 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, F/A-22 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Helper, RPA (MQ-1/MQ-9) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Armament Systems Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Antitank Missile Gunner (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Armor (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Armor Marine (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Assault Amphibian (AA) Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Assault Amphibious Master Gunner (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Assault Amphibious Vehicle (AAV) Crewmember (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV)/Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge (AVLB) Crewman (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Aircraft Handling (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Maintenance Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Bridge Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Cannon Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Carpentry and Masonry Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Engineer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Engineer (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Concrete and Asphalt Equipment Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Construction Equipment Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Construction Equipment Repairer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Construction Mechanic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Constructionman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Conversion NEC EO Equipment Operator Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Crane Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Critical Skills Operator (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Damage Controlman (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Elevated Causeway System (Modular) Specialist (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Engineer Equipment Maintenance Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Engineer Equipment Operator (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Engineer Senior Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)
  • Engineer Tracked Vehicle Crewman (Army - Enlisted)
  • Equipment Operator (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Equipment Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Equipment Operator - Construction (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Equipment Operator - Hauling (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Field Artillery (FA) Weapons Locating Radar (WLR) Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • General Construction Equipment Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Grader Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Construction Equipment Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Heavy Repair Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Horizontal Construction Engineer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Infantry Unit Leader (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Operations Chief (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Unit Leader (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Light Armored Reconnaissance Marine (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Light-Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • M1 Armor Crewman (Army - Enlisted)
  • M1A1 Tank Master Gunner (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Machinery Technician (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Marine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Master Chief Constructionman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Missile Facility Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS)/High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Munitions Systems (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Munitions Systems Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Munitions Systems Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Munitions Systems Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Munitions Systems Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Munitions Systems Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Naval Engineering Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Nuclear Weapons (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Nuclear Weapons Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Nuclear Weapons Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Nuclear Weapons Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Nuclear Weapons Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Nuclear Weapons Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Operations Chief (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • PATRIOT Fire Control Enhanced Operator/Maintainer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Powered Bridge Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Quarrying Specialist (RC) (Army - Enlisted)
  • Rough Terrain Forklift and Loader Operator (Army - Enlisted)
  • Self Propelled Artillery Systems Mechanic (Army - Enlisted)
  • Senior Armor SNCO (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Senior Automotive Maintenance Warrant Officer/Senior Ordnance Logistics Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Special Forces Engineer Sergeant (Army - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Structural (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Structural Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Structural Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Structural Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Structural Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tank Officer (Marine Corps - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Water Well Drilling Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Wheeled Tractor Operator (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Elevating-Grader Operator
  • Motor-Grader Operator
  • Operating Engineer (Alternate Title: Heavy Construction Equipment Mechanic)

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Bulldozer Operator I
  • Ditcher Operator
  • Elevating-Grader Operator
  • Form-Grader Operator
  • Motor-Grader Operator
  • Operating Engineer
  • Operating-Engineer Apprentice
  • Sanitary Landfill Operator
  • Scraper Operator
  • Utility-Tractor Operator