Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Description

Help installation, maintenance, and repair workers in maintenance, parts replacement, and repair of vehicles, industrial machinery, and electrical and electronic equipment. Perform duties such as furnishing tools, materials, and supplies to other workers; cleaning work area, machines, and tools; and holding materials or tools for other workers.

Tasks

  • Transfer tools, parts, equipment, and supplies to and from work stations and other areas.
  • Disassemble broken or defective equipment to facilitate repair and reassemble equipment when repairs are complete.
  • Install or replace machinery, equipment, and new or replacement parts and instruments, using hand or power tools.
  • Examine and test machinery, equipment, components, and parts for defects to ensure proper functioning.
  • Hold or supply tools, parts, equipment, and supplies for other workers.
  • Position vehicles, machinery, equipment, physical structures, and other objects for assembly or installation, using hand tools, power tools, and moving equipment.
  • Adjust, maintain, and repair tools, equipment, and machines, and assist more skilled workers with similar tasks.
  • Adjust, connect, or disconnect wiring, piping, tubing, and other parts, using hand or power tools.
  • Clean or lubricate vehicles, machinery, equipment, instruments, tools, work areas, and other objects, using hand tools, power tools, and cleaning equipment.
  • Assemble and maintain physical structures, using hand or power tools.
  • Tend and observe equipment and machinery to verify efficient and safe operation.
  • Apply protective materials to equipment, components, and parts to prevent defects and corrosion.
  • Order new parts to maintain inventory.
  • Diagnose electrical problems and install and rewire electrical components.
  • Prepare work stations for use by mechanics and repairers.
  • Design, weld, and fabricate parts, using blueprints or other mechanical plans.

Knowledge

Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
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.

Skills

Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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.
Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

Extent Flexibility
The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Static Strength
The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Spend Time Walking and Running
How much does this job require walking and running?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Structured versus Unstructured Work
To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Frequency of Decision Making
How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Interests

Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Work Style

Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Self Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Lay Titles

Air Conditioner Installer Helper
Air-Conditioner Window Unit Installer-Servicer Helper
Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic Helper
Apprentice/Lineman
Armature Winder Repair Helper
Automobile Body Repairer Helper
Automobile Mechanic Helper
Automotive Electrical Helper
Blacksmith Assistant
Blacksmith Helper
Building Equipment Operator (BEO)
Cable Splicer Helper
Car Mechanic Helper
Car Repairer Helper
Car Sander
Compressed Gas Equipment Service Mechanic Helper
Construction Equipment Mechanic Helper
Cooper Helper
Diesel Mechanic Helper
Diver Helper
Electrical Assistant
Electrical/Instrument Technician (E/I Tech)
Electrician Technician
Elevator Constructor Helper
Elevator Repairer Helper
Environmental Control System Installer Servicer Helper
Facilities Locator
Facilities Maintenance Technician
Factory or Mill Maintenance Repairer Helper
Fire Equipment Inspector Helper
Furnace Mechanic Helper
Garage Helper
Gas Appliance Servicer Helper
Gas Fitter Helper
Gas Leak Inspector Helper
Gas Main Fitter Helper
Gas Meter Installer Helper
Gas Regulator Repairer Helper
General Maintenance Mechanic
Heating and Air-Conditioning Installer-Servicer Helper
Hot Air Furnace Installer and Repairer Helper
Hydroblaster
Hydroelectric Machinery Mechanic Helper
Industrial Gas Service Helper
Industrial Gas Servicer Helper
Industrial Maintenance Repairer Helper
Installation Technician
Instrument Repairer Helper
Instrument Technician Helper
Laboratory Helper
Laborer
Last Repairer Helper
Locksmith Helper
Machinist Helper
Maintenance Aide
Maintenance Assistant
Maintenance Helper
Maintenance Man
Maintenance Mechanic
Maintenance Mechanic Helper
Maintenance Technician
Maintenance Worker
Mechanic Helper
Mechanic's Assistant
Mechanical Maintenance Worker
Mechanical System Technician
Meter Repairer Helper
Millwright Helper
Motorboat Mechanic Helper
Oil Burner Servicer and Installer Helper
Ordnance Artificer Helper
Outside Machinist Helper
Over Hauler Helper
Overhauler
Overhauler Helper

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):
$11.64 hourly, $24,210 annual.
Employment (2008):
124,370 employees