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Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Occupation Detailed Description

Maintenance and Repair Workers, General career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

The main tasks and work activities of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General are to repair electrical circuits or wiring, install electrical components, equipment, or systems, assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems, read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs. In general, for the Maintenance and Repair Workers, General, repairing, equipment Maintenance, troubleshooting, monitoring and other 14 skills are required.
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General jobs. 36.77% of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 29.97% of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
14.79%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
36.77%
Post-Secondary Certificate
29.97%
Some College Courses
14.41%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
3.97%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.09%

Tasks and Work Activities of Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

  • Assemble, install, or repair wiring, electrical or electronic components, pipe systems, plumbing, machinery, or equipment.
  • Diagnose mechanical problems and determine how to correct them, checking blueprints, repair manuals, or parts catalogs, as necessary.
  • Inspect, operate, or test machinery or equipment to diagnose machine malfunctions.
  • Record type and cost of maintenance or repair work.
  • Clean or lubricate shafts, bearings, gears, or other parts of machinery.
  • Plan and lay out repair work, using diagrams, drawings, blueprints, maintenance manuals, or schematic diagrams.
  • Adjust functional parts of devices or control instruments, using hand tools, levels, plumb bobs, or straightedges.
  • Paint or repair roofs, windows, doors, floors, woodwork, plaster, drywall, or other parts of building structures.
  • Operate cutting torches or welding equipment to cut or join metal parts.
  • Align and balance new equipment after installation.
  • Inspect used parts to determine changes in dimensional requirements, using rules, calipers, micrometers, or other measuring instruments.
  • Set up and operate machine tools to repair or fabricate machine parts, jigs, fixtures, or tools.
  • Fabricate or repair counters, benches, partitions, or other wooden structures, such as sheds or outbuildings.
  • Lay brick to repair or maintain buildings, walls, arches, or other structures.
  • Grind and reseat valves, using valve-grinding machines.
  • Assemble boilers at installation sites, using tools such as levels, plumb bobs, hammers, torches, or other hand tools.
  • Install equipment to improve the energy or operational efficiency of residential or commercial buildings.
  • Perform routine maintenance on boilers, such as replacing burners or hoses, installing replacement parts, or reinforcing structural weaknesses to ensure optimal boiler efficiency.
  • Position, attach, or blow insulating materials to prevent energy losses from buildings, pipes, or other structures or objects.
  • Test and treat water supply.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • 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.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Repair electrical circuits or wiring.
  • Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
  • Assemble electrical components, subsystems, or systems.
  • Read technical information needed to perform maintenance or repairs.
  • Troubleshoot equipment or systems operation problems.
  • Test mechanical equipment to ensure proper functioning.
  • Inspect mechanical equipment to locate damage, defects, or wear.
  • Record information about parts, materials or repair procedures.
  • Lubricate equipment to allow proper functioning.
  • Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
  • Lay out work according to specifications.
  • Plan work procedures.
  • Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
  • Paint surfaces or equipment.
  • Operate welding equipment.
  • Align equipment or machinery.
  • Measure distances or dimensions.
  • Fabricate parts or components.
  • Assemble structural components.
  • Repair structural components.

Skills and Abilities for Maintenance and Repair Workers, General

  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Equipment SelectionDetermining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • 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.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable crescent wrenches
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable slip lock nut wrenches
  • Adjustable widemouth plierse.g. Adjustable widemouth pliers
  • Air compressorse.g. Air compressors
  • Hex keyse.g. Allen wrenches
  • Augerse.g. Augers
  • Ball peen hammere.g. Ball peen hammers
  • Specialty wrenchese.g. Basin wrenches
  • Pullerse.g. Bearing pullers
  • Biscuit jointerse.g. Biscuit joiners
  • Blocks or pulleyse.g. Block and tackle equipment
  • Welder torche.g. Brazing equipment
  • Levelse.g. Bubble levels
  • Caulking gunse.g. Caulking guns
  • Punches or nail sets or driftse.g. Center punches
  • Pullerse.g. Chain pullers
  • Locking plierse.g. Channel lock pliers
  • Demolition hammerse.g. Chipping hammers
  • Hole sawse.g. Circle cutters
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.