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Career Exploration

Dredge Operators

Also called: Dredge Operator, Dredger

What they do:

Operate dredge to remove sand, gravel, or other materials in order to excavate and maintain navigable channels in waterways.

On the job, you would:
  • Move levers to position dredges for excavation, to engage hydraulic pumps, to raise and lower suction booms, and to control rotation of cutterheads.
  • Start and stop engines to operate equipment.
  • Start power winches that draw in or let out cables to change positions of dredges, or pull in and let out cables manually.
On the job, you'll need:

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Business

  • management

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Concern for Others
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control

Data base user interface and query software

  • Teledyne Odom Hydrographic ODOM eChart

Industrial control software

  • HYPACK DREDGEPACK
  • Programmable logic controller PLC software

Mobile location based services software

  • Global positioning system GPS software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $47,090

Education

High school diploma/GED is usually needed.