"It takes concentration, training, and teamwork to operate a mechanical boom safely. It's a lot of responsibility, and you have to have nerves of steel to do the job well. When you are moving thousands of pounds of materials, you have to know what you're doing and you have to trust your team. I handle pressure well, and I can keep up with changing instructions. When you swing loads with only inches to spare, you have to pay attention, but it creates a strong sense of community."

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Job Description

SOC Code: 53-7021

Crane and Tower Operators operate mechanical boom and cable or tower and cable equipment to lift and move materials, machines, or products in many directions.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Work in team environment
• Maintain equipment
• Preventative maintenance
• Welding
• Customer Service

General Work Activities:

• Interacting With Others
  • Direct material handling or moving activities
• Information Input
  • Weigh materials to ensure compliance with specifications
  • Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems
  • Inspect work to ensure standards are met
  • Review work orders or schedules to determine operations or procedures
• Work Output
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment
  • Maintain material moving equipment and keep in good working condition
  • Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment
  • Clean machinery or equipment
  • Load shipments, belongings, or materials
  • Record operational or production data

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

*All data is factual, but names, images, and quotations have been adapted to protect the identity of employees and businesses

 

Job Statistics

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

• Trident
• Midlands
• Waccamaw
• Pee Dee
• Greenville
• Worklink

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

 

• CMC
• Detyens Shipyards, Inc.
• Phillips & Jordan
• The Heico Companies' Construction Solutions Group
• Valmont Industries, Inc.

 

Related Occupations

 

• Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining
• Hoist and Winch Operators
• Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

 

Learn More with SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.