STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Portal

Tasks

		Record details of repairs made and parts used.
		Reassemble machines and equipment following repair; test operation; and make adjustments as necessary.
		Maintain, repair, and overhaul farm machinery and vehicles, such as tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems.
		Examine and listen to equipment, read inspection reports, and confer with customers to locate and diagnose malfunctions.
		Dismantle defective machines for repair, using hand tools.
		Test and replace electrical components and wiring, using test meters, soldering equipment, and hand tools.
		Repair or replace defective parts, using hand tools, milling and woodworking machines, lathes, welding equipment, grinders, or saws.
		Clean and lubricate parts.
		Tune or overhaul engines.
		Drive trucks to haul tools and equipment for on-site repair of large machinery.

Skills

		Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
		Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
		Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
		Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
		Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
		Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
		Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
		Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
		Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
		Active Listening - Giving 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.

Knowledge

		Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
		Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
		Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
		Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
		Administration and Management - 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.
		Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
		Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
		Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
		Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
		English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education & Training


	Education:	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
	Related Experience:	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.