Pipelayers

Lay pipe for storm or sanitation sewers, drains, and water mains. Perform any combination of the following tasks: grade trenches or culverts, position pipe, or seal joints.

On the job, you would:

Install or use instruments such as lasers, grade rods, or transit levels.
Cut pipes to required lengths.
Connect pipe pieces and seal joints, using welding equipment, cement, or glue.

Personality

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Characteristics of this Career
		87%	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
		82%	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
		76%	Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
		75%	Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
		75%	Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
		74%	Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
		74%	Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
		73%	Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
		71%	Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
		69%	Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
		69%	Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
		67%	Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
		66%	Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
		66%	Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
		63%	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.
		59%	Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Strengths
		100%	Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Values of the Work Environment
		67%	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.

Aptitude

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Abilities \| Cognitive, Physical, Personality
		66%	Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
		66%	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.
		66%	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
		60%	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
		56%	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
		56%	Extent Flexibility - The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
		53%	Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
		53%	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.
		53%	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 that there is a problem.
		53%	Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
		53%	Multilimb Coordination - The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
		53%	Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
		53%	Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Job Details

Responsibilities

Evaluate projects to determine compliance with technical specifications.

Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces.

Apply adhesives to construction materials.

Weld metal components.

Cut metal components for installation.

Install plumbing or piping.

Maintain plumbing structures or fixtures.

Position hand tools.

Compact materials to create level bases.

Mark reference points on construction materials.

Communicate with other construction or extraction personnel to discuss project details.

Install plumbing or piping.

Dig holes or trenches.

Operate equipment or vehicles to clear construction sites or move materials.

Drive trucks or truck-mounted equipment.

Train construction or extraction personnel.

Direct construction or extraction personnel.

Drill holes in construction materials.

Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent
		100%	Outdoors, Exposed to Weather - How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
		100%	Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
		99%	Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
		94%	Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
		92%	Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
		91%	Exposed to Hazardous Equipment - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
		90%	Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
		89%	Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
		88%	Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
		87%	Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
		86%	Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
		84%	Exposed to Whole Body Vibration - How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (e.g., operate a jackhammer)?
		84%	Spend Time Standing - How much does this job require standing?
		81%	Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
		80%	Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
		77%	Exposed to Contaminants - How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
		77%	Spend Time Bending or Twisting the Body - How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
		77%	Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions - How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
		76%	Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
		75%	Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
		74%	Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment - How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
		72%	Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings - How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
		71%	Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?
		71%	Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job?
		71%	Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
		69%	Very Hot or Cold Temperatures - How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
		67%	Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
		67%	Spend Time Walking and Running - How much does this job require walking and running?
		67%	In an Open Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or equipment (e.g., tractor)?
		66%	In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment - How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
		62%	Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable?
		60%	Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions - How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
		59%	Level of Competition - To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
		56%	Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?
		56%	Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling - How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
		53%	Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection - How much does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
		51%	Exposed to Hazardous Conditions - How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
		80%	Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week.

A3	Your Strengths	Importance	Tasks & Values
		90%	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
		88%	Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
		86%	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
		85%	Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
		84%	Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
		80%	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
		76%	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
		73%	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
		72%	Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
		70%	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
		66%	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
		65%	Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
		59%	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
		58%	Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
		53%	Communicating with People Outside the 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.
		51%	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
		51%	Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Getting Started

Education:

71%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

24%

Less than a High School Diploma

Pipelayers

What they do:

On the job, you would:

Personality

Characteristics of this Career

Strengths

Values of the Work Environment

Aptitude

Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality

Job Details

Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent

Tasks & Values

Getting Started