Transport Operations Inspectors
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Transport Operations Inspectors monitor scheduled train, tram and bus services and investigate accidents, complaints and service disruptions.
Specialisations: Bus Inspector, Tram Inspector.
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Transport Operations Inspector. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in transport or a related field.
Tasks
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Ensures that train, tram and bus services are provided according to schedule, monitors the cleanliness, presentation and condition of vehicles, as well as recommending improvements and changes to services.
Characteristics
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- 599518 Transport Operations Inspectors
- 599521 Water Inspectors
- 599599 Other Inspectors and Regulatory Officers
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Administrative
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Enterprising
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Inspectors and Regulatory Officers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 92% of people employed as Transport Operations Inspectors work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 26 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 42 hours per week in their main job. This is similar to the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Transport Operations Inspectors work in the Transport, postal and warehousing industry. They are also employed in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Transport Operations Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 24.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 51.1 | 25.6 |
QLD | 11.7 | 20.0 |
SA | 3.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 8.1 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.3 | 2.0 |
NT | 0.0 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.8 | 1.9 |
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Around 78% of Transport Operations Inspectors live in capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 62%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Transport Operations Inspectors is 45 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 22% of the workforce. This is 26 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Transport Operations Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.4 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 1.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 20.9 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 25.8 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 27.9 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 11.5 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 7.2 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 4.3 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 45 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Formal qualifications are not essential to work as a Transport Operations Inspector. Although some workers have a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification in transport or a related field.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Local Government and Public Sector VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Transport Operations Inspectors | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 6.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 13.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 16.2 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 33.7 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 18.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 5.1 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 7.5 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Inspectors and Regulatory Officers who have a good attention to detail, strong people skills and a good work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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57%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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55%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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52%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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50%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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50%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
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48%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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46%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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45%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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43%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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43%
PersuasionTalking people into changing their minds or their behaviour.
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43%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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43%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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43%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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41%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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37%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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59%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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57%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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50%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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46%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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45%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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42%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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42%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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39%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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38%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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37%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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33%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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33%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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32%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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30%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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27%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
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26%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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26%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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26%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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26%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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24%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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55%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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54%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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54%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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54%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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50%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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50%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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50%
Speech claritySpeak clearly so others can understand you.
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48%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
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46%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
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45%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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45%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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45%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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45%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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45%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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43%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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43%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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43%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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78%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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70%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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60%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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59%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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58%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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57%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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56%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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55%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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53%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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53%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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51%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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48%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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48%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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47%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
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47%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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41%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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41%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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38%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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38%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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36%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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90%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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81%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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71%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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33%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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19%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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81%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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71%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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62%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
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52%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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48%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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43%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
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98%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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96%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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94%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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93%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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90%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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90%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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87%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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86%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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86%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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86%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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86%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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83%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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83%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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81%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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80%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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79%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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78%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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77%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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76%
Bright or inadequate lightingWork in extremely bright or dark lighting conditions.
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75%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 53-4031.00 - Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.