Dredge Operator Job Description

The Dredge Operator operates dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials from lakes, rivers, or streams; and to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.

Tasks for Dredge Operator

• The Dredge Operator moves levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutter heads.
• The Dredge Operator starts and stops engines to operate equipment.
• The Dredge Operator starts power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
• The Dredge Operator pumps water to clear machinery pipelines.
• The Dredge Operator lowers anchor poles to verify depths of excavations, using winches, or scan depth gauges to determine depths of excavations.
• The Dredge Operator directs or assists workers placing shore anchors and cables, laying additional pipes from dredges to shore, and pumping water from pontoons.

The Dredge Operator needs knowledge of machines and tools, including their, uses, repair, and maintenance. The Dredge Operator needs knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. The Dredge Operator needs knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property and institutions. The Dredge Operator needs knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

The Dredge Operator needs certain skills that will enable him to perform his job function. He needs the skill required to perform routine maintenance on equipment and the ability to determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed. The Dredge Operator watches gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. The Dredge Operator repairs machines or systems using the needed tools. The Dredge Operator controls operations of equipment or systems in order to make sure that the job is completed. The Dredge Operator determines causes of operating errors and then decides what to do about the errors to help maintain operation. This requires the Dredge Operator to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. The Dredge Operator must give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. The Dredge Operator must have the ability to determine the kind of tools and equipment he will need In order to do the job. Also he needs to be able to install any of the equipment, machines, wiring, or programs needed to meet specifications. Often the Dredge Operator talks to others to convey information effectively in order for them to help perform the job.

Abilities for Dredge Operator

• The Dredge Operator needs the ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• The Dredge Operator needs the ability to coordinate two or more limbs for example, two arms, two legs, or one arm and one leg while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
• The Dredge Operator must have depth perception which includes the ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
• The Dredge Operator needs the ability to quickly move hand, hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• The Dredge Operator needs the ability to see details at a distance.
• The Dredge Operator also needs the ability to see things at close range within a few feet from where they may be working.
• The Dredge Operator monitors and reviews information from materials, events, or the environment to detect or assess problems.
• The Dredge Operator needs the ability to service, repair, adjust, and test machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical not electronic principles.