Working with your hands, installing and maintaining equipment, tinkering with a malfunctioning piece until the solution clicks, mechanical equipment repair workers keep a variety of equipment running and earn the appreciation of their customers. Mechanical door repairers work on garage doors, automatic door mechanisms, and hydraulic doors. They install door frames and rails or rollers, as well as electric door openers and closers. They drive to job sites, generally outdoors, complete work orders, and collect payment from customers. Control and valve installers and repairers work for utility companies. They test equipment such as electric meters and gas regulators, identify leaks or malfunctions, and make repairs. They typically work outdoors in teams, and use safety equipment and procedures to minimize the hazards involved in keeping power sources connected. Home appliance repairers repair all types of electric or gas appliances, such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, and ovens. They drive to different job sites daily, and work indoors, often in cramped, awkward work spaces. In addition to skills with hand and power tools, these repair workers rely on communication skills every day to interact with customers and coworkers. Most positions require a high school diploma or equivalent, though some valve and control installers may need technical training or an associate’s degree.
What they do:
Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.
On the job, you would:
Record maintenance information, including test results, material usage, and repairs made.
Disassemble and repair mechanical control devices or valves, such as regulators, thermostats, or hydrants, using power tools, hand tools, and cutting torches.
Lubricate wearing surfaces of mechanical parts, using oils or other lubricants.
Engineering and Technology
mechanical
product and service development
Safety and Government
public safety and security
Business
customer service
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Hand and Finger Use
keep your arm or hand steady
hold or move items with your hands
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
order or arrange things
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Independence
Integrity
Initiative
Cooperation
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Industrial control software
Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
Wonderware software
high school diploma/GED or certificate after high school usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
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