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Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters

Construction and Extraction (47-5032)

Place and detonate explosives to demolish structures or to loosen, remove, or displace earth, rock, or other materials. May perform specialized handling, storage, and accounting procedures.

At a Glance

Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters earns a median of $59,110/yr with -0.9% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Autodesk AutoCAD, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Office software.

Median Annual Wage

$59,110/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

-0.9%

Annual Openings

1

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (9)

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.

3.9
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.8
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.6
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.6
Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

3.5
Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

3.5
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.4
Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

3.4
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.4

Knowledge (4)

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.

4.1
Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

4.0
Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

3.7
Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

3.3

Abilities (20)

Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

4.0
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.

4.0
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.

4.0
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

3.9
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.9
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.9
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.9
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.

3.9
Finger Dexterity

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

3.8
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.8
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.

3.6
Reaction Time

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

3.6
Visual Color Discrimination

The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

3.5
Control Precision

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

3.5
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.

3.4
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.4
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.3
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.3
Perceptual Speed

The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.

3.3
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.

3.3

Technology (7)

Autodesk AutoCAD

Category: Computer aided design CAD software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
ESRI ArcGIS software

Category: Geographic information system | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5

Work Activities (29)

Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.4
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.

4.3
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.3
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.3
Performing General Physical Activities

Performing general physical activities includes doing 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.

4.3
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

4.2
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.2
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.2
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

4.2
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.2
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

4.0
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

3.9
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.9
Controlling Machines and Processes

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

3.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

3.8
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.8
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.8
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.8
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.7
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.7
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.5
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.5
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.5
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.

3.5
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.5
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.4
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.4
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.4
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.3

Work Styles (2)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

4.3
Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

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