Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers

Description

Inspect, test, sort, sample, or weigh nonagricultural raw materials or processed, machined, fabricated, or assembled parts or products for defects, wear, and deviations from specifications. May use precision measuring instruments and complex test equipment.

Tasks

  • Inspect, test, or measure materials, products, installations, or work for conformance to specifications.
  • Measure dimensions of products to verify conformance to specifications, using measuring instruments such as rulers, calipers, gauges, or micrometers.
  • Read blueprints, data, manuals, or other materials to determine specifications, inspection and testing procedures, adjustment methods, certification processes, formulas, or measuring instruments required.
  • Record inspection or test data, such as weights, temperatures, grades, or moisture content, and quantities inspected or graded.
  • Mark items with details such as grade or acceptance-rejection status.
  • Notify supervisors or other personnel of production problems.
  • Discard or reject products, materials, or equipment not meeting specifications.
  • Collect or select samples for testing or for use as models.
  • Write test or inspection reports describing results, recommendations, or needed repairs.
  • Compare colors, shapes, textures, or grades of products or materials with color charts, templates, or samples to verify conformance to standards.
  • Recommend necessary corrective actions, based on inspection results.
  • Grade, classify, or sort products according to sizes, weights, colors, or other specifications.
  • Analyze test data, making computations as necessary, to determine test results.
  • Clean, maintain, calibrate, or repair measuring instruments or test equipment, such as dial indicators, fixed gauges, or height gauges.
  • Remove defects, such as chips, burrs, or lap corroded or pitted surfaces.
  • Read dials or meters to verify that equipment is functioning at specified levels.
  • Check arriving materials to ensure that they match purchase orders, submitting discrepancy reports as necessary.
  • Make minor adjustments to equipment, such as turning setscrews to calibrate instruments to required tolerances.
  • Fabricate, install, position, or connect components, parts, finished products, or instruments for testing or operational purposes.
  • Inspect or test raw materials, parts, or products to determine compliance with environmental standards.
  • Compute defect percentages or averages, using formulas and calculators.
  • Position products, components, or parts for testing.
  • Stack or arrange tested products for further processing, shipping, or packaging.
  • Monitor production operations or equipment to ensure conformance to specifications, making necessary process or assembly adjustments.
  • Adjust, clean, or repair products or processing equipment to correct defects found during inspections.
  • Monitor machines that automatically measure, sort, or inspect products.
  • Compute usable amounts of items in shipments.
  • Weigh materials, products, containers, or samples to verify packaging weights or ingredient quantities.
  • Interpret legal requirements, provide safety information, or recommend compliance procedures to contractors, craft workers, engineers, or property owners.
  • Disassemble defective parts or components, such as inaccurate or worn gauges or measuring instruments.
  • Administer tests to assess whether engineers or operators are qualified to use equipment.
  • Inspect or test cleantech or green technology parts, products, or installations, such as fuel cells, solar panels, or air quality devices, for conformance to specifications or standards.

Knowledge

Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Operation Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Written Comprehension
The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
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.
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.

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
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.

Work Context

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?
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
Face-to-Face Discussions
How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
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?
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?
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?
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?
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?
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Interests

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.
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.
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.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Artistic
Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Work Style

Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Self Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
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.

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.
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.
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.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Lay Titles

Abrasive Grader
Acid Tester
Air Box Tester
Air Conditioning Unit Tester
Air Sampler
Air Value Tester
Aircraft Instrument Tester
Aircraft Launching and Arresting Systems Inspector
Airplane Inspector
Aligning Inspector
Alining Inspector
Alloy Weigher
Aluminum Boat Inspector
Aluminum Container Tester
Ammunition Components Inspector
Ampoule Examiner
Ampoule Inspector
Argon Tester
Armature Inspector
Armature Tester
Artificial Teeth Inspector
Asbestos Shingle Inspector
Assembler
Assemblies and Installations Inspector
Assembly Adjuster
Assembly Inspector
Assembly Line Inspector
Assorter
Auditor
Auto Job Estimator
Auto Service Advisor
Auto Service Writer
Auto Tester
Automatic Tire Tester
Automatic Typewriter Inspector
Automobile Repair Service Estimator
Automobile Service Advisor
Automobile Service Writer
Automobile Tester
Automotive Exhaust Emissions Technician
Automotive Tire Tester
Bad Cloth Checker
Bag Cutter
Bag Grader
Bag Sorter
Bag Tester
Bagger
Balance Bridge Inspector
Balance Truer
Balance Truing Inspector
Balance Wheel Motion Inspector
Ball Points Inspector
Ballast Inspector
Ballpoint Pen Cartridge Tester
Barometers Calibrator
Barrel Assembly Inspector
Barrel Endshaker Adjuster
Barrel Inspector
Barrel Tester
Barrelhead Inspector
Baseball Inspector
Baseball Inspector and Repairer
Basket Grader
Basket Sorter
Batch Tester
Batch Weigher
Bath Tester
Battery Charger Tester
Battery Checker
Battery Container Tester
Battery Inspector
Battery Recharger
Battery Tester
Bead Inspector
Beaming Inspector

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):
$16.57 hourly, $34,460 annual.
Employment (2008):
454,010 employees