Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

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  Career Profile

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

What they do

Load and unload chemicals and bulk solids, such as coal, sand, and grain, into or from tank cars, trucks, or ships, using material moving equipment. May perform a variety of other tasks relating to shipment of products. May gauge or sample shipping tanks and test them for leaks.

Also Called: Load Out Person, Loader, Loader Operator, Loading Operator, Oil Movements Operator, PVC Loader (Polyvinyl Chloride Loader), Rail Car Loader, Tank Car Loader, Tankerman, Truck Loader, Load Out Person, Loader, Loader Operator, Loading Operator, Oil Movements Operator, PVC Loader (Polyvinyl Chloride Loader), Rail Car Loader, Tank Car Loader, Tankerman, Truck Loader

$38,850
Starting Salary (2023)
$58,620
Median Salary (2023)
1.6%
Projected Job Growth
11,400
Employment (2022)

Typical Tasks

Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.
Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.
Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.

What kind of work is this?

Realistic
Practical, Physical Work
Conventional
Organized, Procedural Work
Investigative
Studying, Research based work

What personality traits do you need to succeed?

Dependability
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Integrity
Adaptability/Flexibility
Concern for Others

What key skills are needed for this job?

Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Time Management
Monitoring
Critical Thinking

Expected Knowledge

Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Common Activities

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

More Info

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