Bridge and Lock Tenders Go Back to List Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Electronic mail software

Tasks
	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 utilization 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.

Skills
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	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.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	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.
	Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Knowledge
	Public Safety and Security - 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.
	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 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.
	Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
	Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
	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.
	Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
	Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

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Education & Training   Education:   Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.   Related Experience:   Little or no previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, a person can become a waiter or waitress even if he/she has never worked before.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $55,973.00 $26.91  $23.45  $24.13 - $28.17

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