Pile Driver Operators

realistic interests equipment building construction operate machines conduct checks control move levers structure

Pile Driver, Pile Driver Operator, Pile Driving Operator

What they do:
Operate pile drivers mounted on skids, barges, crawler treads, or locomotive cranes to drive pilings for retaining walls, bulkheads, and foundations of structures such as buildings, bridges, and piers.
On the job, you would:
  • Move hand and foot levers of hoisting equipment to position piling leads, hoist piling into leads, and position hammers over pilings.
  • Move levers and turn valves to activate power hammers, or to raise and lower drophammers that drive piles to required depths.
  • Drive pilings to provide support for buildings or other structures, using heavy equipment with a pile driver head.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • building and construction
  • mechanical

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics

Transportation

  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Skills

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

Problem Solving

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

Abilities

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

Spatial

  • imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed
  • know where things are around you

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted

Personality

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

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Concern for Others
  • Self Control
  • Cooperation
  • Stress Tolerance

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology

Analytical or scientific software

  • GRL Engineers Wave Equation Analysis Program GRLWEAP
  • Pile Dynamics Pile Driving Analyzer PDA

Electronic mail software

  • Email software

Education

Education: (rated 2 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about pile driver operators.