Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation - 53-6051.07

Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles, or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.

Sample of reported job titles: Car Inspector, Carman, Chief Mechanical Officer (CMO), Emissions Inspector, Inspector, Quality Assurance Inspector, Railroad Track Inspector, Safety Officer, Smog Technician, Transit Vehicle Inspector

Tasks

• Inspect vehicles or other equipment for evidence of abuse, damage, or mechanical malfunction.
• Inspect vehicles or equipment to ensure compliance with rules, standards, or regulations.
• Inspect repairs to transportation vehicles or equipment to ensure that repair work was performed properly.
• Identify modifications to engines, fuel systems, emissions control equipment, or other vehicle systems to determine the impact of modifications on inspection procedures or conclusions.
• Perform low-pressure fuel evaluative tests (LPFET) to test for harmful emissions from vehicles without onboard diagnostics (OBD) equipment.
• Conduct remote inspections of motor vehicles, using handheld controllers and remotely directed vehicle inspection devices.
• Prepare reports on investigations or inspections and actions taken.
• Issue notices and recommend corrective actions when infractions or problems are found.
• Compare emissions findings with applicable emissions standards.
• Investigate and make recommendations on carrier requests for waiver of federal standards.
• Conduct visual inspections of emission control equipment and smoke emitted from gasoline or diesel vehicles.
• Conduct vehicle or transportation equipment tests, using diagnostic equipment.
• Identify emissions testing procedures and standards appropriate for the age and technology of vehicles.
• Investigate incidents or violations, such as delays, accidents, and equipment failures.
• Negotiate with authorities, such as local government officials, to eliminate hazards along transportation routes.
• Review commercial vehicle logs, shipping papers, or driver and equipment records to detect any problems or to ensure compliance with regulations.
• Attach onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner cables to vehicles to conduct emissions inspections.
• Investigate complaints regarding safety violations.
• Examine carrier operating rules, employee qualification guidelines, or carrier training and testing programs for compliance with regulations or safety standards.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Diagnostic scanner software
• Data base user interface and query software - Aspen; Commercial driver's license information system CDLIS; Inspection Selection System ISS; Past Inspection Query PIQ (see all 7 examples)
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office

Tools Used

• Adjustable wrenches
• Automobiles or cars - Passenger cars
• Automotive exhaust emission analyzers - Exhaust analyzers
• Bar code reader equipment - Barcode scanners
• Battery acid hydrometers - Battery test hydrometers
• Battery testers - Battery charge testers
• Calipers - Measurement calipers
• Desktop computers
• Dial indicator or dial gauge - Dial indicators
• Digital cameras
• Dynamometers
• Floor or platform scales - Platform scales
• Go or no go gauge - Go/no-go gauges
• Handguns - Service revolvers
• Height gauges - Tire tread depth gauges
• Jacks - Floor jacks
• Lifts - Hydraulic automobile lifts
• Locking pliers
• Measuring wheels for distance - Distance measuring wheels
• Micrometers
• Multi gas monitors - Flammable gas detection meters
• Notebook computers - Laptop computers
• Opacity or dust or visibility sensors - Opacity meters
• Personal computers
• Portable data input terminals - Handheld computers
• Rulers - Precision rulers
• Scanners - Computer data input scanners; Onboard diagnostics OBD scanners
• Screwdrivers - Straight screwdrivers
• Side slip tester - Kingpin gauges
• Speed sensors - Decelerometers; Digital timing lights; Stroboscopes
• Tachometers
• Tape measures - Steel measuring tapes
• Thickness measuring devices - Rotor gauges
• Tire pressure gauge - Tire pressure gauges
• Torque wrenches
• Truck or rail scales - Vehicle weight scales
• Two way radios
• Voltage or current meters - Voltmeters
• Wheel alignment equipment - Wheel alignment gauges
• Wheel chocks - Wheel blocks

Knowledge

• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• 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.
• 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.

Skills

• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• 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.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Abilities

• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• 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.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 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.
• 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.
• Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Interests

• Interest code: RCI
  • 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.
  • Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Context

• Face-to-Face Discussions - 90% responded “Every day.”
• Contact With Others - 72% responded “Constant contact with others.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 71% responded “Every day.”
• Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - 82% responded “Every day.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 66% responded “Very important results.”
• Spend Time Standing - 63% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 44% responded “Very important.”
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - 74% responded “Every day.”
• Time Pressure - 60% responded “Every day.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 46% responded “Some freedom.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 50% responded “Some freedom.”
• Consequence of Error - 38% responded “Very serious.”
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - 45% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 25% responded “Very important.”
• Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - 57% responded “Every day.”
• Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - 57% responded “Every day.”
• Physical Proximity - 39% responded “Very close (near touching).”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 31% responded “High responsibility.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 36% responded “Important.”
• Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - 20% responded “High responsibility.”
• Spend Time Walking and Running - 42% responded “Continually or almost continually.”
• Exposed to Contaminants - 60% responded “Every day.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week
• Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - 64% responded “Every day.”
• Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - 37% responded “Every day.”
• Telephone - 44% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - 49% responded “Every day.”
• Level of Competition - 34% responded “Extremely competitive.”
• Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - 23% responded “Important.”
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - 37% responded “Every day.”
• Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - 30% responded “Less than half the time.”
• Frequency of Conflict Situations - 26% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - 30% responded “Less than half the time.”
• Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - 38% responded “Once a week or more but not every day.”
• Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling - 27% responded “Continually or almost continually.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
58%	High school diploma or equivalent
13%	Less than high school diploma
13%	Post-secondary certificate

Work Styles

• 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.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• 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.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• 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.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

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.
• Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

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