First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

What this job is

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of mechanics, installers, and repairers. May also advise customers on recommended services. Excludes team or work leaders.

What they do day to day

• Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
• Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
• Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
• Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance.
• Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment.
• Compute estimates and actual costs of factors such as materials, labor, or outside contractors.
• Monitor tool and part inventories and the condition and maintenance of shops to ensure adequate working conditions.
• Requisition materials and supplies, such as tools, equipment, or replacement parts.
• Confer with personnel, such as management, engineering, quality control, customer, or union workers' representatives, to coordinate work activities, resolve employee grievances, or identify and review resource needs.
• Determine schedules, sequences, and assignments for work activities, based on work priority, quantity of equipment, and skill of personnel.

Skills and knowledge that matter most

Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).

Education and preparation

Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.

Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.

Who this job suits

Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.

Job titles you'll see in postings

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