What sort of person is an Operating Engineer?
An Operating Engineer is someone who likes to work outside and can tolerate all types of weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, mud, dust); someone who can work under conditions that may require sitting in the same position or in an awkward position for an indefinite period of time; be able to withstand strenuous work; someone who likes the challenge of hard work and the satisfaction of having been a part of a project such as creating a new road or building. An Operating Engineer has to be flexible with work days and hours. One job may require working six or even seven, ten-hour days while another may require four, ten-hour days rather than the usual eight-hour, five day-a-week job. Other jobs may last only a few days. Because the work schedule can be erratic and because the work is seasonal, the Operating Engineer must be financially able to budget for these situations. Many Operating Engineers have young children and are sure to have reliable child care as well as “back-up” child care
