DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
53-6051 Transportation Inspectors
Occupational Description:
Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified. Excludes ?Transportation Security Screeners? (33-9093).| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Northeast Minnesota | N/A | 1 | N/A | $0.73/hr | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Minnesota | 510 | 101 | $37.86/hr | $3.37/hr | $13.13/hr | $16.06/hr | $38.89/hr | $55.97/hr | $62.03/hr |
| U S | 30,020 | 1,321 | $38.12/hr | $0.53/hr | $16.39/hr | $25.90/hr | $37.28/hr | $49.63/hr | $61.61/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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Tasks for Transportation Inspectors
- Inspects aircraft and components to identify damage or defects and to determine structural and mechanical airworthiness, using hand tools and test instruments.
- Examines maintenance record and flight log to determine if service and maintenance checks and overhauls were performed at prescribed intervals.
- Examines access plates and doors for security.
- Starts aircraft and observes gauges, meters, and other instruments to detect evidence of malfunction.
- Conducts flight test program to test equipment, instruments, and systems under various conditions, including adverse weather, using both manual and automatic controls.
- Recommends purchase, repair, or modification of equipment.
- Schedules and coordinates inflight testing program with ground crews and air traffic control to assure ground tracking, equipment monitoring, and related services.
- Prepares reports to document flight activities and inspection findings.
- Approves or disapproves issuance of certificate of airworthiness.
- Investigates air accidents to determine cause.
- Analyzes training program and conducts examinations to assure competency of persons operating, installing, and repairing equipment.
- Observes employees performing assigned duties to note their deportment, treatment of passengers, and adherence to company regulations and schedules.
- Observes and records time required to load and unload passengers or freight volume of traffic on vehicle and at stops.
- Investigates schedule delays, accidents, and complaints.
- Inspects company vehicles and other property for evidence of abuse, damage, and mechanical malfunction and directs repair.
- Determines need for changes in service, such as additional vehicles, route changes, and revised schedules to improve service and efficiency.
- Drives automobile along route to detect conditions hazardous to equipment and passengers and negotiates with local governments to eliminate hazards.
- Submits written reports to management with recommendations for improving service.
- Reports disruptions to service.
- Assists in dispatching equipment when necessary.
- Recommends promotions and disciplinary actions involving transportation personnel.
- Inspects loaded cargo in holds and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with regulations and need for maintenance.
- Reads vessel documents to ascertain cargo capabilities according to design and cargo regulations.
- Calculates gross and net tonnage, hold capacities, volume of stored fuel and water, cargo weight, and ship stability factors, using mathematical formulas.
- Determines type of license and safety equipment required, and computes applicable tolls and wharfage fees.
- Examines blueprints of ship and takes physical measurements to determine capacity and depth of vessel in water, using measuring instruments.
- Writes certificates of admeasurement, listing details, such as design, length, depth, and breadth of vessel, and method of propulsion.
- Issues certificate of compliance when violations are not detected or recommends remedial procedures to correct deficiencies.
- Times roll of ship, using stopwatch.
- Analyzes data, formulates recommendations, and writes reports of findings.
- Advises crew in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo, according to knowledge of hazardous cargo.
- Inspects signals and track wiring to determine continuity of electrical connections.
- Examines roadbed, switches, fishplates, rails, and ties to detect damage or wear.
- Examines locomotives and cars to detect damage or structural defects.
- Inspects and tests completed work.
- Operates switches to determine working conditions.
- Tests and synchronizes rail-flaw-detection machine, using circuit tester and hand tools, and reloads machine with paper and ink.
- Starts machine and signals worker to operate rail-detector car.
- Prepares reports on repairs made and equipment, railcars, or roadbed needing repairs.
- Tags rail cars needing immediate repair.
- Fills paint container on rail-detector car used to mark section of defective rail with paint.
- Directs crews to repair or replace defective equipment or to re-ballast roadbed.
- Places lanterns or flags in front and rear of train to signal that inspection is being performed.
- Seals leaks found during inspection that can be sealed with caulking compound.
- Replaces defective brake rod pins and tightens safety appliances.
- Notifies train dispatcher of railcar to be moved to shop for repair.
- Makes minor repairs.
- Packs brake bearings with grease.
- Inspects truck accessories, air lines and electric circuits, and reports needed repairs.
- Examines vehicles for damage, and drives vehicle to detect malfunctions.
- Tests vehicle components for wear, damage, or improper adjustment, using mechanical or electrical devices.
- Applies inspection sticker to vehicles that pass inspection, and rejection sticker to vehicles that fail.
- Prepares report on each vehicle for follow-up action by owner or police.
- Prepares and keeps record of vehicles delivered.
- Positions trailer and drives car onto truck trailer.
- Notifies authorities of owners having illegal equipment installed on vehicle.
- Services vehicles with fuel and water.
- Inspects shipment to ascertain that freight is securely braced and blocked.
- Observes loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.
- Monitors temperature and humidity of freight storage area.
- Records freight condition and handling, and notifies crews to reload freight or insert additional bracing or packing.
- Measures height and width of loads that will pass over bridges or through tunnels.
- Notifies workers of special treatment required for shipments.
- Prepares and submits report after trip.
- Posts warning signs on vehicles containing explosives or inflammatory or radioactive materials.
