1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Tank Car Truck And Ship Loaders
  4. Required Skills Responsibilities Activities

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders Occupation Detailed Description

Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

The main tasks and work activities of Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders are to verify information or specifications, position material handling equipment, monitor vehicle movement or location, operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment. In general, for the Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders, operation and Control, operation Monitoring, reading Comprehension, time Management and other 7 skills are required.
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders 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 Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders jobs. 81.42% of Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 3.89% of Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
12.01%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
81.42%
Post-Secondary Certificate
3.89%
Some College Courses
0.91%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
1.77%

Tasks and Work Activities of Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

  • Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.
  • Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.
  • Operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.
  • Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.
  • Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.
  • Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.
  • Operate industrial trucks, tractors, loaders, and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks, and to store and retrieve materials in warehouses.
  • Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.
  • Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.
  • Test samples for specific gravity, using hydrometers, or send samples to laboratories for testing.
  • Remove and replace tank car dome caps, or direct other workers in their removal and replacement.
  • Lower gauge rods into tanks or read meters to verify contents, temperatures, and volumes of liquid loads.
  • Clean interiors of tank cars or tank trucks, using mechanical spray nozzles.
  • Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.
  • Test vessels for leaks, damage, and defects, and repair or replace defective parts as necessary.
  • Unload cars containing liquids by connecting hoses to outlet plugs and pumping compressed air into cars to force liquids into storage tanks.
  • Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.
  • Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.
  • Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Verify information or specifications.
  • Position material handling equipment.
  • Monitor vehicle movement or location.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Communicate with others to coordinate material handling or movement.
  • Monitor loading processes to ensure they are performed properly.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Inspect cargo areas for cleanliness or condition.
  • Operate vehicles or material-moving equipment.
  • Connect cables or electrical lines.
  • Install parts, assemblies, or attachments in transportation or material handling equipment.
  • Test materials, solutions, or samples.
  • Direct maintenance or repair activities.
  • Measure the level or depth of water or other liquids.
  • Clean vessels or marine equipment.
  • Operate conveyors or other industrial material moving equipment.
  • Maintain material moving equipment in good working condition.
  • Inspect material-moving equipment to detect problems.
  • Connect hoses to equipment or machinery.
  • Mark materials or objects for identification.

Skills and Abilities for Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • 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.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • 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.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • 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.
  • Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • 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.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • 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.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • StaminaThe ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • 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.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Laser printerse.g. Computer laser printers
  • Belt conveyorse.g. Conveyor belt systems
  • Hydrometerse.g. Digital hydrometers
  • Hoistse.g. Electric hoists
  • Floor or platform scalese.g. Loading scales
  • Spray hosee.g. Mechanical spray nozzles
  • Loading equipmente.g. Mobile shiploaders
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Respiratorse.g. Protective respirators
  • Stackerse.g. Reach trucks
  • Pallet truckse.g. Riding pallet jacks
  • Skid steer loaderse.g. Skid steers
  • Loading equipmente.g. Stock pickers
  • Tablet computerse.g. Tablet computers
  • Pallet truckse.g. Walk behind pallet jacks
  • Forkliftse.g. Warehouse forklifts
  • Front end loaderse.g. Wheeled front end loaders
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • 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.