Construction equipment technician

Construction equipment technicians inspect, maintain and repair heavy-duty vehicles used in construction, forestry and earthworks such as bulldozers, excavators and harvesters. They perform evaluations of the equipment, and ensure the safety and optimal efficiency of the machinery.

The following job titles also refer to construction equipment technician:

building construction equipment maintenance inspector
building equipment inspector
building equipment mechanic
building equipment servicer
building construction equipment operator
building construction equipment mechanic
heavy equipment inspector
building equipment operator
heavy equipment mechanic
building construction equipment servicer

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a construction equipment technician.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Construction equipment technician is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to construction equipment technician.

forge equipment technician
agricultural machinery technician
moulding machine technician
pneumatic systems technician
fluid power technician

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of construction equipment technician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of construction equipment technician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

pneumatic engineering technician
industrial engineering technician
process engineering technician
production engineering technician
medical device engineering technician

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of construction equipment technician.

• Construction equipment related to building materials: Equipment required for handling building materials in all stages of construction, from foundation work to external and internal finish.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills are necessary for the role of construction equipment technician.

• Keep heavy construction equipment in good condition: Inspect heavy equipment for construction projects before each use. Maintain the machine in good working order, taking care of small repairs and alerting the responsible person in case of serious defects.
• Resolve equipment malfunctions: Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.
• Manage heavy equipment: Supervise the operation of heavy-duty equipment. Compute the availability of the equipment. Schedule maintenance periods.
• Operate welding equipment: Use welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel; wear protective eyewear during the working process.
• Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
• Perform test run: Perform tests putting a system, machine, tool or other equipment through a series of actions under actual operating conditions in order to assess its reliability and suitability to realise its tasks, and adjust settings accordingly.
• Monitor heavy machinery: Monitor the performance of heavy-duty equipment. Record troubleshooting, ensure that all operations comply with safety and health requirements.
• Conduct routine machinery checks: Check machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.
• Use testing equipment: Use equipment to test performance and operation of machinery.
• Perform machine maintenance: Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.
• Consult technical resources: Read and interpret such technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.
• Operate soldering equipment: Use soldering equipment, such as a soldering gun, a soldering torch or a gas-powered iron, to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction equipment technician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Construction products: The offered construction materials, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Hydraulics: The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.
• Electronics: The functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications. Apply this knowledge to ensure electronic equipment runs smoothly.
• Pneumatics: The application of pressurised gas to produce mechanical motion.
• Wood products: The various wood products such as lumber and furniture, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
• Construction industry: The products, brands and suppliers active in the construction field.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of construction equipment technician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Manage inspections of equipment: Monitor formal or official viewings and examinations in order to regularly test and inspect property and equipment.
• Perform risk analysis: Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation’s functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
• Order supplies: Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
• Inspect heavy surface mining equipment: Inspect heavy-duty surface mining machinery and equipment. Identify and report defects and abnormalities.
• Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
• Advise on safety improvements: Provide relevant recommendations following the conclusion of an investigation; ensure that recommendations are duly considered and where appropriate acted upon.
• Maintain electrical equipment: Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as required.
• Install electrical and electronic equipment: Install equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes switchboards, electric motors, generators or direct current systems.
• Secure working area: Secure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.
• Install hydraulic systems: Install systems and components that use liquid fluid power to create mechanical movements such as hydraulic pumps, valves, hydraulic motors, hydraulic cylinders and other elements that power hydraulic machinery.
• Estimate restoration costs: Estimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.
• Install pneumatic systems: Install systems and components that use pneumatics to create mechanical movements such as air brakes, pneumatic cylinders, air compressors and other systems.
• Maintain hydraulic systems: Perform routine maintenance and repairs on systems which use pressurised fluids to provide power to machines and equipment.
• Maintain forestry equipment: Check forestry equipment to make sure that it is in working order.
• Prepare compliance documents: Prepare documents with legal value which prove that an installation or a facility is conform to the regulations.
• Maintain electronic equipment: Check and repair electronic equipment. Detect malfunction, locate faults and take measures to prevent damage.
• Apply technical communication skills: Explain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.
• Use safety equipment in construction: Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
• Write inspection reports: Write the results and conclusions of the inspection in a clear and intelligible way. Log the inspection’s processes such as contact, outcome, and steps taken.
• Provide technical training: Explain and demonstrate the use of training equipment and system functions.
• Advise on mine equipment: Provide advice on mining and equipment for mineral treatment; communicate and collaborate with engineering experts.
• Write records for repairs: Write records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.

7233 – Agricultural and industrial machinery mechanics and repairers

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References

1. Construction equipment technician – ESCO