What You'll Do

  • Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
  • Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
  • Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
  • Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
  • Prepare accident reports.
  • Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
  • Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
  • Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.
  • Inspect canal and bridge equipment, and areas, such as roadbeds, for damage or defects, reporting problems to supervisors as necessary.
  • Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments.

Essential Skills

Monitoring 3.25/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Critical Thinking 3.0/5
Coordination 3.0/5
Operations Monitoring 3.0/5
Operation and Control 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Writing 2.88/5
Service Orientation 2.88/5
Complex Problem Solving 2.88/5

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.
  • Leader: Taking charge and moving ideas forward motivates you.

Common styles

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

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Information Ordering 3.25/5
Near Vision 3.25/5
Selective Attention 3.12/5
Control Precision 3.12/5
Far Vision 3.12/5
Auditory Attention 3.12/5
Oral Comprehension 3.0/5
Oral Expression 3.0/5

Technologies & Tools

Email software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Word Oracle PeopleSoft SAP software Virtual private networking VPN software Word processing software

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.77/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.75/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.46/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 4.26/5)
  • Self-Control (High importance: 3.91/5)

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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:

Bridge Crew Member Bridge Leverman Bridge Opener Bridge Operator Bridge Saw Operator Bridge Tender Bridgeman Crossing Tender Crossing Watchman Dam Attendant Dam Operator Dam Repairer Dam Tender Draw Operator Drawbridge Operator Drawbridge Tender Gate Attendant Leverman Lighthouse Keeper Lock and Dam Operator Lock and Dam Repairer Lock Keeper Lock Master Lock Operator Lock Repairer Lock Tender Lock Tender Operator Lockman Locks Tender Marine Tower Operator Slip Bridge Operator Station Gateman