What You'll Do

  • Move levers, depress foot pedals, and turn dials to operate power machinery, such as power shovels, stripping shovels, scraper loaders, or backhoes.
  • Set up or inspect equipment prior to operation.
  • Observe hand signals, grade stakes, or other markings when operating machines so that work can be performed to specifications.
  • Become familiar with digging plans, machine capabilities and limitations, and efficient and safe digging procedures in a given application.
  • Operate machinery to perform activities such as backfilling excavations, vibrating or breaking rock or concrete, or making winter roads.
  • Lubricate, adjust, or repair machinery and replace parts, such as gears, bearings, or bucket teeth.
  • Move materials over short distances, such as around a construction site, factory, or warehouse.
  • Measure and verify levels of rock or gravel, bases, or other excavated material.
  • Receive written or oral instructions regarding material movement or excavation.
  • Adjust dig face angles for varying overburden depths and set lengths.

Essential Skills

Operation and Control 4.12/5
Operations Monitoring 3.62/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Reading Comprehension 3.0/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Active Learning 3.0/5
Social Perceptiveness 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Persuasion 3.0/5
Complex Problem Solving 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Stress Tolerance, Adaptability/Flexibility, Integrity

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 4.12/5
Multilimb Coordination 4.12/5
Depth Perception 4.0/5
Manual Dexterity 3.88/5
Reaction Time 3.88/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.75/5
Response Orientation 3.75/5
Rate Control 3.75/5

Technologies & Tools

Email software Google Gmail Machine control systems Machine monitoring software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Spreadsheet software Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.31/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 3.94/5)
  • Stress Tolerance (High importance: 3.68/5)
  • Adaptability/Flexibility (High importance: 3.61/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 3.61/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Aerial Tram Operator Air Shovel Operator Back Digger Operator Back Filler Operator Back Hoe Machine Operator Back Hoe Operator Backhoe Operator Clam Shovel Operator Coal Equipment Operator Diesel Scoop Operator Dragline Oiler Dragline Operator Earth Moving Equipment Operator Earth Moving Machine Operator Earth Moving Technician Electric Scoop Operator Electric Shovel Operator End Loader Operator Equipment Operator Excavation Operator Excavator Excavator Backhoe Operator Excavator Operator Foundation Digger Gas Shovel Operator Harvester Operator Heavy Equipment Operator Horseback Excavator Hydro Excavation Operator Loader Operator Mechanical Shovel Operator Mining Backhoe Operator Mining Bulldozer Operator Mining Earth Moving Equipment Operator Mining End Loader Operator Mining Excavator Operator Mining Payloader Operator Mining Shovel Operator Mining Yard Loader Operator Mucking Machine Operator Payloader Machine Operator Payloader Operator Pit Operator Pit Shovel Operator Plunger Scoop Operator Plunger Shovel Operator Power Digger Operator Power Shovel Operator Scoop Driver Scoop Operator Septic Tank Installer Septic Tank Setter Shift Operator Shovel Operator Steam Shovel Operator Steam Shovelman Stripper Shovel Operator Tower Excavator Operator Track Hoe Operator Tram Operator Trench Shovel Operator Trencher Driver Trenching Machine Operator Yard Loader Operator