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Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Occupation Detailed Description

Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

The main tasks and work activities of Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers are to mark reference points on construction materials, measure materials or objects for installation or assembly, review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements, install building fixtures. In general, for the Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, critical Thinking and other -2 skills are required.
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers jobs. 24.36% of Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 19.30% of Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
41.87%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
24.36%
Post-Secondary Certificate
19.30%
Some College Courses
9.65%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
4.82%

Tasks and Work Activities of Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

  • Measure and mark surfaces to lay out work, according to blueprints or drawings, using tape measures, straightedges or squares, and marking devices.
  • Read blueprints or other specifications to determine methods of installation, work procedures, or material or tool requirements.
  • Fit and fasten wallboard or drywall into position on wood or metal frameworks, using glue, nails, or screws.
  • Hang dry lines to wall moldings to guide positioning of main runners.
  • Measure and cut openings in panels or tiles for electrical outlets, windows, vents, plumbing, or other fixtures, using keyhole saws or other cutting tools.
  • Hang drywall panels on metal frameworks of walls and ceilings in offices, schools, or other large buildings, using lifts or hoists to adjust panel heights, when necessary.
  • Assemble or install metal framing or decorative trim for windows, doorways, or vents.
  • Coordinate work with drywall finishers who cover the seams between drywall panels.
  • Trim rough edges from wallboard to maintain even joints, using knives.
  • Cut and screw together metal channels to make floor or ceiling frames, according to plans for the location of rooms or hallways.
  • Inspect furrings, mechanical mountings, or masonry surfaces for plumbness and level, using spirit or water levels.
  • Cut fixture or border tiles to size, using keyhole saws, and insert them into surrounding frameworks.
  • Cut metal or wood framing and trim to size, using cutting tools.
  • Install horizontal and vertical metal or wooden studs to frames so that wallboard can be attached to interior walls.
  • Scribe and cut edges of tile to fit walls where wall molding is not specified.
  • Fasten metal or rockboard lath to the structural framework of walls, ceilings, or partitions of buildings, using nails, screws, staples, or wire-ties.
  • Suspend angle iron grids or channel irons from ceilings, using wire.
  • Seal joints between ceiling tiles and walls.
  • Mount tile, using adhesives, or by nailing, screwing, stapling, or wire-tying lath directly to structural frameworks.
  • Install blanket insulation between studs and tack plastic moisture barriers over insulation.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming 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.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of OthersGetting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentProviding documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Mark reference points on construction materials.
  • Measure materials or objects for installation or assembly.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Install building fixtures.
  • Cut openings in existing structures.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Install trim or paneling.
  • Coordinate construction project activities.
  • Trim excess material from installations.
  • Cut metal components for installation.
  • Install metal structural components.
  • Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
  • Cut tile, stone, or other masonry materials.
  • Install masonry materials.
  • Cut wood components for installation.
  • Install wooden structural components.
  • Apply material to fill gaps in surfaces.
  • Install insulation in equipment or structures.
  • Apply mortar.
  • Clean surfaces in preparation for work activities.

Skills and Abilities for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Gross Body EquilibriumThe ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • StaminaThe ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe 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.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Glue gunse.g. Adhesive guns
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Tape guidee.g. Automatic taping tools
  • Levelse.g. Box beam levels
  • Trowelse.g. Bullnose trowels
  • Caulking gunse.g. Caulking guns
  • Chalk linese.g. Chalk lines
  • Miter sawe.g. Chop saws
  • Hole sawse.g. Circle cutters
  • Putty knivese.g. Corner knives
  • Hammerse.g. Crowhead hammers
  • Hammerse.g. Drywall hammers
  • Hatchetse.g. Drywall hatchets
  • Jackse.g. Drywall jacks
  • Liftse.g. Drywall lifts
  • Plaster or mortar mixerse.g. Drywall mud mixers
  • Sawse.g. Drywall ripping tools
  • Power routerse.g. Drywall routers
  • Sawse.g. Drywall saws
  • Scriberse.g. Drywall scoring tools
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge 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.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.