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What They Do

About This Career

Operates and tends bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.

This career is part of the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics cluster Transportation Operations pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Controls machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
  • Directs movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
  • Observes position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
  • Records names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
  • Observes approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listens for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
  • Moves levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
  • Writes and submits maintenance work requisitions.
  • Logs data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
  • Prepares accident reports.
  • Performs maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would often handle loads up to 10 lbs., sometimes up to 20 lbs. You might do a lot of walking or standing, or you might sit but use your arms and legs to control machines, equipment or tools.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Picking out a particular sound in the presence of other sounds
  • Seeing clearly at a distance
  • Detecting sounds and hearing the differences between sounds of different pitch and loudness
  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Rotating shift work

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Bridge Operator

Contact

  • Email Support
  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900
  • North Dakota Career Resource Network
    ndcrn@nd.gov | (701) 328-9733

Support