Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock tenders and operators, and slip bridge operators.

Add and remove balance weights to bridge mechanisms as necessary. Attach ropes or cable lines to bitts on lock decks or wharfs to secure vessels. Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms. Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges. Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges. Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers. Prepare accident reports. Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass. Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best utilization of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces. Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic. Inspect canal and bridge equipment, and areas such as roadbeds for damage or defects, reporting problems to supervisors as necessary. Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments. Log data such as water levels and weather conditions. Write and submit maintenance work requisitions. Perform maintenance duties such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order. Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening. Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks. Stop automobile and pedestrian traffic on bridges, and lower automobile gates prior to moving bridges. Raise drawbridges and observe passage of water traffic, then lower drawbridges and raise automobile gates. Operate lighthouses to assist marine passage near shores and dangerous waters.

Public Safety and Security -- Knowledge 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 Language -- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Education and Training -- Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Operation and Control -- Controlling operations of equipment or systems. Instructing -- Teaching others how to do something. Active Listening -- Giving 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. Reading Comprehension -- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Operation Monitoring -- Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. Speaking -- Talking to others to convey information effectively. Writing -- Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. Equipment Maintenance -- Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. Social Perceptiveness -- Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Troubleshooting -- Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Speech Clarity -- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Control Precision -- The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions. Problem Sensitivity -- The 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. Speech Recognition -- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Depth Perception -- The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object. Near Vision -- The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Arm-Hand Steadiness -- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position. Selective Attention -- The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted. Information Ordering -- The 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). Inductive Reasoning -- The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public -- Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests. Training and Teaching Others -- Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. Documenting/Recording Information -- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. Controlling Machines and Processes -- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles). Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material -- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates -- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. Getting Information -- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships -- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. Communicating with Persons Outside Organization -- Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail. Making Decisions and Solving Problems -- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.