What Do Dredge Operators Do?
Dredge operators remove sand, gravel, rock and other material from waterways. This is done to maintain adequate depth for ships to navigate, and to control water flow and prevent erosion. You may also use a dredge for excavation in mining and gravel operations, or to help maintain beaches or wetlands by removing sediment or trash.
Dredge Operators Skills and Abilities
To be a dredge operator, you must have the ability to operate and control equipment. You will also need a working knowledge of different kinds of machinery and tools and the skills necessary to repair and maintain them. When operating a dredge, you must respond to operation signals and make decisions quickly about what actions to take. This requires critical thinking, sound judgment and fast reaction time. You will also need to have good dexterity, coordination and a steady hand in order to accurately adjust machinery controls to maneuver the dredge. Strong eyesight and depth perception are also important for both maneuvering equipment and monitoring control gauges and other indicators. Since dredge operators need to communicate with shore crew, supervisors and other personnel, you will need to be proficient in English. In addition to these skills and abilities, dredge operators should have knowledge of:
- Public safety and security policies and procedures
- Business and administration management principles
- Production and processing techniques
Dredge Operators Duties
As a dredge operator, you will monitor, operate, control and maintain the equipment necessary to excavate or move material. You will also direct the movement of materials, coordinating with shore workers and directing or assisting them in their duties. Your specific operational duties and responsibilities include:
- Controlling heavy lifting equipment such as winches, cranes and booms
- Operating excavation equipment such as augers, cutters, buckets, and pumps
- Using poles or gauges to determine excavation depth
- Inspecting, maintaining and repairing equipment
Dredge Operators Tools and Technology
Your primary tool as a dredge operator is, of course, the dredge, which consists of multiple tools used for excavation, including winches, cranes, pumps, and a variety of heavy earthmoving equipment. In addition, you will be responsible for maintaining heavy equipment using a variety of hand and pneumatic tools, as well as a blowtorch and other welding and cutting equipment.Your use of technology will include gauges, sonar and other instruments required for precise operation and depth measurement. You will also use GPS and mapping software to locate and monitor excavation progress. Using an Internet browser, entering information into a database, and interacting with industrial control software may also be required.
Education and Training for Dredge Operators
There are no education requirements to become a dredge operator, although a high school diploma or GED may be preferred by employers. Training takes place on the job, and there is no specific experience needed, but most employers are looking for operators who have some experience performing manual labor and working with heavy equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, and excavators. If you are interested in a job as a dredge operator, you may want to consider training in heavy equipment operation or taking a job as a laborer in construction or mining to gain relevant experience.
Dredge Operators Salary
The median annual salary for dredge operators is $41,000. If your yearly earnings are in the top 10%, you would make approximately $72,300, and the bottom 10% would average $25,500. The states with the highest dredge operator salaries are California, Idaho and New Jersey
Dredge Operators Jobs by Geography
The number of dredge operator jobs in the United States is expected to grow more than 13% by 2022. States with the most dredge operator jobs are Florida, Nebraska and New Jersey. The highest job growth is expected in the states of Washington, Tennessee and Connecticut.