First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine and Vehicle Operators
SOC code 53-1043 · O*NET-SOC 53-1043.00 · Medium preparation needed · Transportation
What do first-line supervisors of material-moving machine and vehicle operators do?
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of material-moving machine and vehicle operators and helpers.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Enforce safety rules and regulations.
- Interpret transportation or tariff regulations, shipping orders, safety regulations, or company policies and procedures for workers.
- Resolve worker problems or collaborate with employees to assist in problem resolution.
- Confer with customers, supervisors, contractors, or other personnel to exchange information or to resolve problems.
- Plan work assignments and equipment allocations to meet transportation, operations or production goals.
- Examine, measure, or weigh cargo or materials to determine specific handling requirements.
- Explain and demonstrate work tasks to new workers or assign training tasks to experienced workers.
- Review orders, production schedules, blueprints, or shipping or receiving notices to determine work sequences and material shipping dates, types, volumes, or destinations.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 30% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 3 — Medium preparation needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)30%
- Some College Courses29%
- Bachelor's Degree25%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree14%
Common questions
Can you become a first-line supervisors of material-moving machine and vehicle operators without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 3, meaning the typical entry route is most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Reading Comprehension3.6/5
- Critical Thinking3.6/5
- Monitoring3.5/5
Knowledge areas
- Administration and Management4.3/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Mathematics4.1/5
- Production and Processing4.0/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.9/5
- Public Safety and Security3.9/5
- Computers and Electronics3.8/5
Transferable strengths: Coordination, Time Management, Management of Personnel Resources, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making.