Freight and Cargo Inspectors - 53-6051.08

Inspect the handling, storage, and stowing of freight and cargoes.

Sample of reported job titles: Cargo Surveyor, Inspector, Marine Cargo Surveyor, Marine Surveyor, Petroleum Inspector, Surveyor

Tasks

• Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.
• Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.
• Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.
• Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.
• Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.
• Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections.
• Inspect loaded cargo, cargo lashed to decks or in storage facilities, and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with health and safety regulations and need for maintenance.
• Measure ships' holds and depths of fuel and water in tanks, using sounding lines and tape measures.
• Notify workers of any special treatment required for shipments.
• Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.
• Check temperatures and humidities of shipping and storage areas to ensure that they are at appropriate levels to protect cargo.
• Determine cargo transportation capabilities by reading documents that set forth cargo loading and securing procedures, capacities, and stability factors.
• Read draft markings to determine depths of vessels in water.
• Issue certificates of compliance for vessels without violations.
• Write certificates of admeasurement that list details such as designs, lengths, depths, and breadths of vessels, and methods of propulsion.
• Calculate gross and net tonnage, hold capacities, volumes of stored fuel and water, cargo weights, and ship stability factors, using mathematical formulas.
• Post warning signs on vehicles containing explosives or flammable or radioactive materials.
• Measure heights and widths of loads to ensure they will pass over bridges or through tunnels on scheduled routes.
• Time rolls of ships, using stopwatches.

Technology Skills

• Data base user interface and query software - Data entry software
• Document management software - Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Electronic mail software - Email software
• Internet browser software - Web browser software
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Benchtop centrifuges - Centrifugal testers
• Calipers
• Depth indicators - Measuring rods; Sounding lines; Ullage tapes
• Desktop computers
• Digital cameras
• Floor or platform scales - Cargo scales
• Grease guns
• Handheld thermometer - Portable electronic thermometers
• Hydrometers
• Magnifiers - Hand magnifying lenses
• Notebook computers - Laptop computers
• Oil gun - Oilcans
• Personal computers
• Portable data input terminals - Handheld computers
• Sample holders - Sample containers
• Scientific calculator - Programmable calculators
• Tape measures - Calibrated measuring tapes
• Water samplers - Automatic samplers; Bottom samplers
• X ray radiography examination equipment - X ray scanners

Knowledge

• Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• 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.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Law and Government - Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• 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.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Abilities

• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 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.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• 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).
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Perceptual Speed - The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

Interests

• Interest code: RC
  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Work Context

• Telephone - 86% responded “Every day.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 63% responded “Extremely important.”
• Electronic Mail - 83% responded “Every day.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 61% responded “A lot of freedom.”
• Contact With Others - 70% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 52% responded “A lot of freedom.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 51% responded “Very important results.”
• Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - 56% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 55% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 42% responded “Every day.”
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - 46% responded “Every day.”
• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - 42% responded “Every day.”
• Time Pressure - 58% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - 42% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Deal With External Customers - 44% responded “Extremely important.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 58% responded “More than 40 hours.”
• Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - 32% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Letters and Memos - 54% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 35% responded “Moderate responsibility.”
• Exposed to Contaminants - 42% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 35% responded “Very important.”
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 36% responded “Every day.”
• Outdoors, Under Cover - 44% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 29% responded “Very important.”
• Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - 40% responded “High responsibility.”
• Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - 31% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 27% responded “Very important.”
• Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting - 48% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
• Physical Proximity - 49% responded “Slightly close (e.g., shared office).”
• Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions - 38% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Spend Time Standing - 41% responded “About half the time.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - 38% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Exposed to High Places - 42% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
43%	Bachelor's degree
26%	Post-secondary certificate
14%	Some college, no degree

Work Styles

• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Work Values

• Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
• Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $34.68 hourly, $72,140 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 28,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Average (5% to 9%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 2,900