What You'll Do

  • Start machine, engage clutch, and push and move levers to guide machine along forms or guidelines and to control the operation of machine attachments.
  • Inspect, clean, maintain, and repair equipment, using mechanics' hand tools, or report malfunctions to supervisors.
  • Operate machines to spread, smooth, level, or steel-reinforce stone, concrete, or asphalt on road beds.
  • Operate oil distributors, loaders, chip spreaders, dump trucks, and snow plows.
  • Coordinate truck dumping.
  • Set up and tear down equipment.
  • Operate tamping machines or manually roll surfaces to compact earth fills, foundation forms, and finished road materials, according to grade specifications.
  • Shovel blacktop.
  • Drive machines onto truck trailers, and drive trucks to transport machines and material to and from job sites.
  • Observe distribution of paving material to adjust machine settings or material flow, and indicate low spots for workers to add material.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.62/5
Operation and Control 3.38/5
Monitoring 3.25/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Troubleshooting 3.0/5
Repairing 3.0/5
Active Listening 2.88/5
Speaking 2.88/5
Equipment Maintenance 2.88/5
Judgment and Decision Making 2.88/5
Quality Control Analysis 2.75/5

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

Attention to Detail, Dependability, Integrity, Independence, Self-Control

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 3.75/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.38/5
Rate Control 3.25/5
Reaction Time 3.25/5
Static Strength 3.12/5
Trunk Strength 3.12/5
Far Vision 3.12/5

Technologies & Tools

Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D Database software Email software HCSS HeavyBid Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Spreadsheet software Time report software Warehouse management system WMS Word processing software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.06/5)
  • Dependability (High importance: 4.04/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 3.9/5)
  • Independence (High importance: 3.83/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 3.78/5)

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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:

Asphalt Distributor Operator Asphalt Distributor Tender Asphalt Equipment Crew Member Asphalt Equipment Operator Asphalt Paver Asphalt Paver Operator Asphalt Paving Machine Operator Asphalt Paving Operator Asphalt Plant Operator Asphalt Raker Asphalt Roller Operator Asphalt Screed Operator Asphalt Screedman Asphalt Spreader Operator Asphalt Surface Heater Operator Asphalt Tamping Machine Operator Bituminous Paving Machine Operator Black Top Machine Operator Black Top Paver Operator Black Top Roller Black Top Spreader Machine Operator Blacktop Paver Operator Concrete and Asphalt Equipment Operator Concrete Equipment Crew Member Concrete Finishing Machine Operator Concrete Paving Machine Operator Crew Member Curb Machine Operator Equipment Operator (EO) Form Grader Form Tamper Form Tamper Operator Heater Planer Operator Joint Cleaning Machine Operator Joint Grooving Machine Operator Joint Machine Operator Loader Operator Machine Operator Maintenance Equipment Operator (MEO) Mechanical Spreader Operator Mud Jack Operator Paver Operator Paving Crew Member Paving Equipment Operator Paving Machine Operator Paving Operator Reinforcing Steel Machine Operator Road Mixer Operator Road Oiling Truck Driver Road Packer Operator Road Roller Operator Roller Machine Operator Roller Operator Screed Operator Steam Roller Operator Stone Spreader Operator Strike Off Machine Operator Tamping Machine Operator