Description
Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.
Interests
- Realistic
- Conventional
Work Values
- Support
- Independence
- Relationships
Work Styles
- Dependability
- Attention to Detail
- Cooperation
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Integrity
Tasks
- Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
- Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
- Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
- Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
- Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
Work Activities
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Processing Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Technology Skills
- Spreadsheet software
- Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Office suite software
- Operating system software
Abilities
- Control Precision
- Multilimb Coordination
- Far Vision
- Manual Dexterity
- Rate Control
Skills
- Operation and Control
- Operations Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Time Management
- Active Listening
Knowledge
- Transportation
- Production and Processing
- English Language
- Public Safety and Security
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
National Ballast Control Operator (BCO)Certifying Organization
United States Coast Guard National Maritime Center
Type
Advanced
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $42,232 |
| Median (50%) | $55,784 |
| High (90%) | $62,777 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $51,816 |
| Mid Level | $50,150 |
| Senior Level | $51,895 |
| Expert Level | N/A |
Employability
There are currently 12,700 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 13,200 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 4%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 4%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
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