Excavator Operator Career

*A job as an Excavator Operator falls under the broader career category of Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators. The information on this page will generally apply to all careers in this category but may not specifically apply to this career title.

Job Description for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators : 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.


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Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operator Career

What skills are required for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?

Importance Skills
  Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  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.
  Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

What knowledge is needed to be an Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operator?

Importance Knowledge
  Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Public Safety and Security - 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.
  Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  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.
  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.
  Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Work Styles

Importance Styles
  Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
  Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
  Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
  Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
  Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
  Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
  Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
  Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
  Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
  Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
  Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
  Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
  Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.