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Log Graders and Scalers Occupation Detailed Description

Log Graders and Scalers career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Log Graders and Scalers

The main tasks and work activities of Log Graders and Scalers are to evaluate log quality, record agricultural or forestry inventory data, mark agricultural or forestry products for identification, measure physical characteristics of forestry or agricultural products. In general, for the Log Graders and Scalers, critical Thinking, active Listening, speaking, judgment and Decision Making and other 5 skills are required.
Log Graders and Scalers 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 Log Graders and Scalers jobs. 64.23% of Log Graders and Scalers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 10.99% of Log Graders and Scalers have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
11.18%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
64.23%
Post-Secondary Certificate
10.99%
Some College Courses
11.64%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
1.96%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Log Graders and Scalers

  • Evaluate log characteristics and determine grades, using established criteria.
  • Record data about individual trees or load volumes into tally books or hand-held collection terminals.
  • Paint identification marks of specified colors on logs to identify grades or species, using spray cans, or call out grades to log markers.
  • Measure felled logs or loads of pulpwood to calculate volume, weight, dimensions, and marketable value, using measuring devices and conversion tables.
  • Measure log lengths and mark boles for bucking into logs, according to specifications.
  • Identify logs of substandard or special grade so that they can be returned to shippers, regraded, recut, or transferred for other processing.
  • Jab logs with metal ends of scale sticks, and inspect logs to ascertain characteristics or defects such as water damage, splits, knots, broken ends, rotten areas, twists, and curves.
  • Drive to sawmills, wharfs, or skids to inspect logs or pulpwood.
  • Communicate with coworkers by using signals to direct log movement.
  • Weigh log trucks before and after unloading, and record load weights and supplier identities.
  • Saw felled trees into lengths.
  • Tend conveyor chains that move logs to and from scaling stations.
  • Arrange for hauling of logs to appropriate mill sites.
  • Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or PeopleAssessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationEstimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Evaluate log quality.
  • Record agricultural or forestry inventory data.
  • Mark agricultural or forestry products for identification.
  • Measure physical characteristics of forestry or agricultural products.
  • Communicate with other workers to coordinate activities.
  • Cut trees or logs.
  • Operate forestry equipment.
  • Direct material handling or moving activities.

Skills and Abilities for Log Graders and Scalers

  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Active ListeningGiving 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.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • 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.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • 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).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • 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.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Laser measuring systemse.g. 3D laser scanning systems
  • Ball peen hammere.g. Ball peen hammers
  • Power sawse.g. Chain saws
  • Measuring wheels for distancee.g. Digital measuring wheels
  • Hard hatse.g. Forestry hard hats
  • Safety glassese.g. Forestry safety glasses
  • Pocket calculatore.g. Hand calculators
  • Portable data input terminalse.g. Handheld computers
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Infrared imagerse.g. Light curtains
  • Caliperse.g. Log calipers
  • Electronic counterse.g. Log counters
  • Truck or rail scalese.g. Log truck scales
  • Measuring tapese.g. Logger tapes
  • Crayonse.g. Lumber crayons
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Safety hornse.g. Safety whistles
  • Hatchetse.g. Single-bit hatchets
  • Tablet computerse.g. Tablet computers
  • Measuring rodse.g. Tree scale sticks
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge 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.
  • 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.