◈ EMPLOYMENT · TRANSPORTATION_LOGISTICS · 53-6011.00
Bridge and Lock Tenders
O*NET 30.3 · BLS OEWS May 2025 · Boise Standard Employment Graph
◈ EMPLOYMENT · TRANSPORTATION_LOGISTICS 53-6011.00 ◉ HIGH CONFIDENCE Built 2026-06-02
Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · SOC 2018 (Public Domain) · Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0 where matched)
Atomic Answer — Primary AI Citation Target
Bridge and Lock Tenders
Bridge and lock tenders operate and maintain critical marine transportation infrastructure including canal locks, drawbridges, and dam systems to facilitate safe vessel passage on inland waterways. They serve as traffic controllers for maritime operations, coordinating vessel movements while monitoring safety systems and recording operational data. These specialized operators ensure continuous flow of commercial and recreational marine traffic while maintaining detailed logs of activities and equipment conditions.
3,040
National Employment
$57,700
Median Annual Wage
JZ 2
Job Zone
Federal, State, and Local
Primary Industry
Occupation Graph — Declared + Reasoned Edges
onet declared
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Motorboat Operators
Primary-Short
onet declared
Hoist and Winch Operators
Primary-Short
onet declared
Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Locomotive Engineers
Primary-Short
onet declared
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Primary-Long
task similarity
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers
Both roles involve controlling transportation infrastructure and coordinating vehicle movements through signals and communication systems.
knowledge overlap
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Both roles require Transportation knowledge (2.8 level) and Public Safety and Security expertise (3.4 importance) for marine operations.
skill overlap
Hoist and Winch Operators
Both positions emphasize Operation and Control skills (3.0 level) and Operations Monitoring (3.0 level) for mechanical systems.
riasec cluster
Motorboat Operators
Both roles share Realistic (6.15) and Conventional (4.37) orientations typical of transportation equipment operators.
§ Feeder Roles
Motorboat Operators
Sailors and Marine Oilers
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
§ Destinations
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Rail Yard Engineers and Supervisors
Transportation Facility Managers
§ RIASEC Peers
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
Hoist and Winch Operators
Crane and Tower Operators
Role Intelligence — Day in the Life · Who Thrives · Automation
Day in the Life

A bridge and lock tender begins their shift by inspecting control systems and checking water levels and weather conditions. Throughout the day, they monitor radio communications and visual signals from approaching vessels, determining optimal timing for bridge openings or lock operations. They operate sophisticated control machinery to raise drawbridges or manage lock chambers, directing vessel movements through loudspeakers or signal systems. Between vessel passages, they document traffic logs, perform routine maintenance tasks like painting and cleaning, and prepare maintenance requisitions when equipment issues arise.

Who Thrives

Individuals who excel in this role possess strong attention to detail and unwavering dependability, as marine safety depends on precise timing and careful observation. They have excellent visual acuity for monitoring distant vessels and the ability to maintain selective attention during long periods of routine operations punctuated by critical decision moments. Successful bridge and lock tenders demonstrate mechanical aptitude for operating complex control systems and strong communication skills for coordinating with vessel operators. They work well independently while remaining alert to changing conditions and emergency situations.

Automation Outlook

Bridge and lock tender positions have moderate automation risk as remote monitoring systems and automated lock controls reduce the need for on-site operators. However, safety requirements and the need for real-time decision-making during complex vessel coordination scenarios will likely preserve many positions. The emphasis on direct vessel communication and emergency response capabilities provides protection against full automation.

Market Intelligence — BLS OEWS May 2025
Bridge and lock tenders earn a median annual wage of $57,700 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, with experienced operators reaching $75,360 annually. Employment of 3,040 workers is concentrated primarily in government agencies (80%) managing public waterway infrastructure, with remaining positions in private transportation companies. Geographic wages vary significantly, from $28,090 in Florida to $78,020 in Washington state, reflecting regional differences in waterway traffic volume and cost of living. Job stability is high due to the essential nature of marine infrastructure operations.
$28,090
10th
$38,640
25th
$57,700
Median
$69,620
75th
$75,360
90th
Highest Paying State
Washington
$78,020 median
Geographic Dispersion
2.778x
highest / lowest median
Federal, State, and Local Government, excludi 2,440 emp $60,820
Transportation and Warehousing 540 emp $28,090
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 ↗ · Public Domain · US Government
Skills + Knowledge — O*NET 30.3 Scored Dimensions
§ Essential Skills (importance 1-5)
Monitoring 3.2
Active Listening 3.0
Speaking 3.0
Critical Thinking 3.0
Reading Comprehension 2.9
Writing 2.9
Learning Strategies 2.5
Active Learning 2.4
Mathematics 2.0
Science 1.1
§ Knowledge Domains (importance 1-5)
Public Safety and Security 3.4
English Language 3.3
Telecommunications 3.0
Education and Training 2.9
Transportation 2.8
Customer and Personal Service 2.7
Administrative 2.6
Administration and Management 2.5
Mechanical 2.5
Computers and Electronics 2.5
Source: O*NET 30.3 Database ↗ · CC BY 4.0
RIASEC Interest Profile + Personality Fit — O*NET 30.3
R
Realistic
6.15
TOP FIT
I
Investigative
2.40
A
Artistic
1.00
S
Social
1.79
E
Enterprising
2.58
TOP FIT
C
Conventional
4.37
TOP FIT
§ Who Thrives
Individuals who excel in this role possess strong attention to detail and unwavering dependability, as marine safety depends on precise timing and careful observation. They have excellent visual acuity for monitoring distant vessels and the ability to maintain selective attention during long periods of routine operations punctuated by critical decision moments. Successful bridge and lock tenders demonstrate mechanical aptitude for operating complex control systems and strong communication skills for coordinating with vessel operators. They work well independently while remaining alert to changing conditions and emergency situations.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Career Interest Types ↗ · Scale: OI Occupational Interests 1-7
Tasks + Detailed Work Activities — O*NET 30.3
Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
Core 20% of incumbents
Control equipment that regulates vehicle
Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
Core 20% of incumbents
Direct vehicle traffic.
Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
Core 20% of incumbents
Monitor vehicle movement or location.
Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
Core 20% of incumbents
Record operational details of travel.
Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
Core 20% of incumbents
Monitor vehicle movement or location.Monitor traffic signals.
Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
Core 20% of incumbents
Control equipment that regulates vehicle
Write and submit maintenance work requisitions.
Core 20% of incumbents
Arrange maintenance activities.Report vehicle or equipment malfunctions
Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
Core 20% of incumbents
Record operational details of travel.
Prepare accident reports.
Core 20% of incumbents
Prepare accident or incident reports.
Perform maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
Core 20% of incumbents
Clean facilities or work areas.
Source: O*NET 30.3 Task Statements + DWA Mappings ↗ · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
◈ Software Tools — O*NET 30.3 · Hot Technology + In Demand Flagged
Email software
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
HOT
Microsoft Office software
Office suite software
HOT
Microsoft Outlook
Electronic mail software
HOT
Microsoft Word
Word processing software
HOT
Oracle PeopleSoft
Enterprise resource planning ERP softwar
HOT
SAP software
Enterprise resource planning ERP softwar
HOT
Virtual private networking VPN software
Network security or virtual private netw
Source: O*NET 30.3 Software Skills ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Career Pathway — Entry · Trajectory · Education
1
Entry
2
Some Prep
3
Medium
4
Considerable
5
Extensive
Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little trainin
Most bridge and lock tenders enter with a high school diploma (65% of workers) and receive on-the-job training in equipment operation and safety protocols. Some positions require post-secondary certificates in marine operations, transportation technology, or related technical fields (20% of workers). Entry-level workers typically begin under supervision, learning specific control systems and local waterway regulations before advancing to independent operations.
Bridge and lock tenders can advance to supervisory roles overseeing multiple bridge or lock facilities, or transition to related maritime operations like harbor master positions. Some progress into marine traffic control systems or advance to positions with water management agencies. Others leverage their mechanical skills and safety knowledge to move into facility maintenance management or marine equipment inspection roles.
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for 65.0%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for trai 20.0%
Less than a High School Diploma 15.0%
Source: O*NET 30.3 Education + Job Zones ↗ · CC BY 4.0
Live Job Feed — Active Postings
Live Bridge and Lock Tenders job postings populate here as the crawler feeds data. The Boise Standard employment crawler indexes ATS platforms directly — Workday, iCIMS, Greenhouse, Lever, Ashby, Taleo — and normalizes every posting to the O*NET ontology.

Postings appear within hours of going live on the source ATS. No aggregator lag. Direct from source.
Browse Transportation Logistics Feed → Submit Open Position →
◈ SEMANTIC MANIFOLD — MULTI-SOURCE WORD FREQUENCY FINGERPRINT
Top 40 terms across five provenance layers: O*NET Tasks · O*NET Dimensions · DWAs · Wikipedia · Inference · Stop words removed · Deterministic · Constitutional Law III
tendency others equipment lock control canal traffic bridge principles operations vehicle includes objects maintenance monitoring ideas activities locks problems management
§ Full Frequency Ranking — 40 terms
TERM COUNT FREQ BAR SOURCE ATTRIBUTION
tendency 42 0.0151
onet dimensi 100%
others 39 0.0141
onet dimensi 97% inference 3%
equipment 38 0.0137
onet dimensi 61% dwas 21%
lock 24 0.0087
inference 54% wikipedia 38%
control 23 0.0083
onet dimensi 52% dwas 22%
canal 17 0.0061
wikipedia 76% onet tasks 12%
traffic 17 0.0061
dwas 41% inference 29%
bridge 16 0.0058
inference 56% onet tasks 25%
principles 16 0.0058
onet dimensi 100%
operations 14 0.0050
inference 57% onet dimensi 43%
vehicle 13 0.0047
dwas 92% onet dimensi 8%
includes 12 0.0043
onet dimensi 100%
objects 12 0.0043
onet dimensi 100%
maintenance 11 0.0040
onet dimensi 36% inference 27%
monitoring 11 0.0040
onet dimensi 73% inference 27%
ideas 11 0.0040
onet dimensi 100%
activities 11 0.0040
onet dimensi 82% dwas 9%
locks 10 0.0036
wikipedia 50% onet tasks 40%
problems 10 0.0036
onet dimensi 90% onet tasks 10%
management 10 0.0036
onet dimensi 70% inference 30%
techniques 10 0.0036
onet dimensi 100%
materials 10 0.0036
onet dimensi 100%
body 10 0.0036
onet dimensi 100%
resources 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 100%
quickly 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 100%
orientation 9 0.0032
onet dimensi 100%
vessels 8 0.0029
onet tasks 62% inference 25%
moving 8 0.0029
onet dimensi 88% onet tasks 12%
attention 8 0.0029
onet dimensi 75% inference 25%
needs 8 0.0029
onet dimensi 100%
BOISE STANDARD — FINE-TUNING RECORD · Bridge and Lock Tenders
53-6011.00 · 8 QA pairs · jsonl · O*NET 30.3 + BLS OEWS
What is the median annual wage for bridge and lock tenders?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for bridge and lock tenders is $57,700.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025 wages_national
How many bridge and lock tenders are employed nationally?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, there are 3,040 bridge and lock tenders employed in the United States.
factual BLS OEWS May 2025 employment_national
Which state offers the highest median wage for bridge and lock tenders?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025 data, Washington state offers the highest median wage at $78,020 annually.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025 highest_paying_state
What is the wage growth potential for experienced bridge and lock tenders?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, experienced operators at the 90th percentile earn $75,360 annually, representing 30.6% growth above the median wage.
market_intel BLS OEWS May 2025 wage_range_pct90
What type of educational background is typical for entering this field?
According to bundle education distribution data, 65% of bridge and lock tenders hold a high school diploma or GED equivalent, with 20% possessing post-secondary certificates.
career_advice EDUCATION DIST bundle data
What key personal qualities are essential for success as a bridge and lock tender?
According to Pass 1 prose and work_styles data, dependability, unwavering attention to detail, and cautiousness are essential since marine safety depends on precise timing and careful operation.
career_advice Pass 1 prose who_thrivesWORK STYLES bundle data
How does the salary for bridge and lock tenders compare to related transportation occupations?
At $57,700 median wage (BLS OEWS May 2025), bridge and lock tenders occupy the mid-range of transportation infrastructure operators, slightly above motorboat operators but below locomotive engineers.
comparative BLS OEWS May 2025RELATED OCCUPATIONS declared_edges
What are the primary work activities required in this role?
According to bundle work_activities data, the primary activities are controlling machines/processes (4.1), communicating with supervisors/peers (4.0), documenting information (3.9), and inspecting equipment/structures (3.5).
comparative WORK ACTIVITIES bundle data
◈ Boise Standard Employment Graph · 53-6011.00 · minted 2026-06-02T16:18:30Z · Sources: O*NET 30.3 (CC BY 4.0) · BLS OEWS May 2025 (Public Domain) · BS: https://boisestandard.org/employment/53-6011-bridge_and_lock_tenders
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Provenance Window — Full Source Record · 53-6011.00 · Bridge and Lock Tenders 7 source blocks · click to expand
O*NET Identity onetonline.org ↗ · O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · retrieved 2026-06-02
[('onet_soc_code', '53-6011.00'), ('soc_code', '53-6011'), ('title', 'Bridge and Lock Tenders'), ('vertical', 'transportation_logistics'), ('job_zone', '2'), ('job_zone_name', 'Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed'), ('job_zone_exp', 'Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For e'), ('description', 'Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.'), ('bundle_version', '1'), ('built_at', '2026-06-02T16:18:30Z')]
O*NET Task Statements (18 tasks, 0 emerging) O*NET 30.3 Task Statements · Incumbent-reported · CC BY 4.0
[Core] [20% incumbents] Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
  DWAs: Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
  DWAs: Direct vehicle traffic.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
  DWAs: Monitor vehicle movement or location.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
  DWAs: Record operational details of travel.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
  DWAs: Monitor vehicle movement or location. | Monitor traffic signals.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
  DWAs: Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Write and submit maintenance work requisitions.
  DWAs: Arrange maintenance activities. | Report vehicle or equipment malfunctions.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.
  DWAs: Record operational details of travel.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Prepare accident reports.
  DWAs: Prepare accident or incident reports.

[Core] [20% incumbents] Perform maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
  DWAs: Clean facilities or work areas.

[Supplemental] [20% incumbents] Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.
  DWAs: Control pumps or pumping equipment.

[Supplemental] [20% incumbents] Stop automobile and pedestrian traffic on bridges, and lower automobile gates prior to moving bridges.
  DWAs: Direct vehicle traffic. | Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.

[Supplemental] [20% incumbents] Raise drawbridges and observe passage of water traffic or lower drawbridges and raise automobile gates.
  DWAs: Monitor vehicle movement or location. | Control equipment that regulates vehicle traffic.

[Supplemental] [20% incumbents] Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.
  DWAs: Monitor vehicle movement or location.

[Supplemental] [20% incumbents] Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments.
  DWAs: Clean machinery or equipment.

[Supplemental] [20% incumbents] Inspect canal and bridge equipment, and areas, such as roadbeds, for damage or defects, reporting problems to supervisors as necessary.
  DWAs: Report vehicle or equipment malfunctions.

[Supplemental] [20% incumbents] Attach ropes or cable lines to bitts on lock decks or wharfs to secure vessels.
  DWAs: Secure watercraft to docks, wharves or other vessels.

[Supplemental] [19% incumbents] Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening.
  DWAs: Monitor surroundings to detect potential hazards.
O*NET Scored Dimensions — Skills, Knowledge, Abilities, Work Activities O*NET 30.3 · CC BY 4.0 · domain_source: Incumbent/Analyst/Machine Learning
--- SKILLS ---
  Monitoring (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organization
  Active Listening (imp:3.00 lvl:2.75) — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand
  Speaking (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Critical Thinking (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternativ
  Reading Comprehension (imp:2.88 lvl:2.38) — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Writing (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audienc
  Learning Strategies (imp:2.50 lvl:2.12) — Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate fo
  Active Learning (imp:2.38 lvl:2.12) — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future pr
  Mathematics (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Science (imp:1.12 lvl:0.25) — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

--- KNOWLEDGE ---
  Public Safety and Security (imp:3.42 lvl:3.50) — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote
  English Language (imp:3.26 lvl:3.10) — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the mea
  Telecommunications (imp:2.95 lvl:2.10) — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of te
  Education and Training (imp:2.89 lvl:3.10) — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching
  Transportation (imp:2.84 lvl:2.80) — Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea
  Customer and Personal Service (imp:2.74 lvl:2.90) — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal servic
  Administrative (imp:2.61 lvl:2.47) — Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word proce
  Administration and Management (imp:2.53 lvl:2.47) — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, 
  Mechanical (imp:2.53 lvl:2.70) — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and main
  Computers and Electronics (imp:2.47 lvl:2.75) — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and comput
  Mathematics (imp:2.42 lvl:2.25) — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their appl
  Communications and Media (imp:2.42 lvl:2.05) — Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and m
  Building and Construction (imp:2.16 lvl:2.20) — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or r
  Production and Processing (imp:2.11 lvl:2.05) — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ot
  Law and Government (imp:2.06 lvl:1.55) — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulat
  Personnel and Human Resources (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, tra
  Engineering and Technology (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. Th
  Design (imp:1.95 lvl:1.70) — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of 
  Economics and Accounting (imp:1.89 lvl:1.40) — Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial mar
  Geography (imp:1.84 lvl:2.10) — Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, an
  Physics (imp:1.74 lvl:1.20) — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships,
  Therapy and Counseling (imp:1.39 lvl:0.85) — Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and r
  Chemistry (imp:1.37 lvl:0.75) — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances a
  Psychology (imp:1.37 lvl:0.85) — Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, 
  Medicine and Dentistry (imp:1.37 lvl:0.45) — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human i
  Sales and Marketing (imp:1.28 lvl:0.75) — Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products
  Philosophy and Theology (imp:1.28 lvl:0.63) — Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their 
  History and Archeology (imp:1.26 lvl:0.50) — Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civi
  Sociology and Anthropology (imp:1.22 lvl:0.42) — Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human 
  Biology (imp:1.21 lvl:0.50) — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interd
  Foreign Language (imp:1.21 lvl:0.40) — Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language inclu
  Food Production (imp:1.16 lvl:0.25) — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food
  Fine Arts (imp:1.00 lvl:0.05) — Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform

--- ABILITIES ---
  Information Ordering (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according
  Near Vision (imp:3.25 lvl:3.00) — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Selective Attention (imp:3.12 lvl:3.12) — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distrac
  Control Precision (imp:3.12 lvl:3.25) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehi
  Far Vision (imp:3.12 lvl:3.75) — The ability to see details at a distance.
  Auditory Attention (imp:3.12 lvl:3.00) — The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distra
  Oral Comprehension (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through 
  Oral Expression (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will unde
  Problem Sensitivity (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does no
  Perceptual Speed (imp:3.00 lvl:2.88) — The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among
  Arm-Hand Steadiness (imp:3.00 lvl:2.75) — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while hold
  Reaction Time (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sou
  Hearing Sensitivity (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch 
  Speech Recognition (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Speech Clarity (imp:3.00 lvl:3.12) — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Written Comprehension (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Deductive Reasoning (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that 
  Inductive Reasoning (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusion
  Category Flexibility (imp:2.88 lvl:2.88) — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping
  Multilimb Coordination (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or
  Glare Sensitivity (imp:2.88 lvl:3.00) — The ability to see objects in the presence of a glare or bright lighting.
  Written Expression (imp:2.75 lvl:2.88) — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will under
  Flexibility of Closure (imp:2.75 lvl:2.75) — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or so
  Rate Control (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in an
  Sound Localization (imp:2.75 lvl:2.12) — The ability to tell the direction from which a sound originated.
  Time Sharing (imp:2.62 lvl:2.88) — The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of
  Manual Dexterity (imp:2.62 lvl:2.50) — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your
  Finger Dexterity (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or bot
  Response Orientation (imp:2.62 lvl:2.62) — The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two o
  Depth Perception (imp:2.62 lvl:2.88) — The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you
  Visualization (imp:2.50 lvl:2.00) — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when 
  Trunk Strength (imp:2.38 lvl:2.38) — The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the 
  Visual Color Discrimination (imp:2.38 lvl:2.50) — The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of c
  Originality (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situa
  Memorization (imp:2.25 lvl:2.25) — The ability to remember information such as words, numbers, pictures, and proced
  Night Vision (imp:2.25 lvl:2.00) — The ability to see under low-light conditions.
  Peripheral Vision (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes ar
  Number Facility (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  Speed of Closure (imp:2.12 lvl:2.38) — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into mea
  Wrist-Finger Speed (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and 
  Static Strength (imp:2.12 lvl:2.25) — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  Dynamic Strength (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This inv
  Extent Flexibility (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  Gross Body Equilibrium (imp:2.12 lvl:2.00) — The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unsta
  Fluency of Ideas (imp:2.00 lvl:2.12) — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas
  Mathematical Reasoning (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a prob
  Spatial Orientation (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know wher
  Speed of Limb Movement (imp:2.00 lvl:1.88) — The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
  Stamina (imp:2.00 lvl:1.75) — The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getti
  Gross Body Coordination (imp:2.00 lvl:2.00) — The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together wh
  Explosive Strength (imp:1.88 lvl:1.00) — The ability to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping
  Dynamic Flexibility (imp:1.00) — The ability to quickly and repeatedly bend, stretch, twist, or reach out with yo

--- WORK ACTIVITIES ---
  Controlling Machines and Processes (imp:4.11 lvl:4.55) — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines 
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (imp:4.00 lvl:3.95) — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone,
  Documenting/Recording Information (imp:3.89 lvl:3.20) — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in writte
  Getting Information (imp:3.74 lvl:2.45) — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sour
  Training and Teaching Others (imp:3.63 lvl:3.25) — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or tr
  Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (imp:3.53 lvl:3.15) — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors o
  Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (imp:3.42 lvl:3.55) — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment,
  Performing for or Working Directly with the Public (imp:3.37 lvl:3.20) — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (imp:3.26 lvl:2.60) — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events o
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems (imp:3.21 lvl:2.95) — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and sol
  Coaching and Developing Others (imp:3.16 lvl:3.05) — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherw
  Performing Administrative Activities (imp:3.16 lvl:2.80) — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships (imp:3.05 lvl:3.60) — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and m
  Processing Information (imp:3.00 lvl:2.65) — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (imp:3.00 lvl:3.05) — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment (imp:2.95 lvl:2.85) — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, s
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (imp:2.89 lvl:2.15) — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or 
  Performing General Physical Activities (imp:2.84 lvl:2.80) — Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require co
  Communicating with People Outside the Organization (imp:2.84 lvl:2.65) — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organizatio
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others (imp:2.79 lvl:2.35) — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Working with Computers (imp:2.63 lvl:2.00) — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to progra
  Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others (imp:2.63 lvl:2.60) — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, 
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (imp:2.58 lvl:2.50) — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your
  Handling and Moving Objects (imp:2.53 lvl:2.75) — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials,
  Assisting and Caring for Others (imp:2.53 lvl:2.70) — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other pe
  Providing Consultation and Advice to Others (imp:2.53 lvl:2.10) — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical,
  Scheduling Work and Activities (imp:2.47 lvl:2.10) — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Developing and Building Teams (imp:2.42 lvl:1.95) — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team membe
  Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment (imp:2.37 lvl:2.05) — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, an
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates (imp:2.37 lvl:1.80) — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance 
  Analyzing Data or Information (imp:2.32 lvl:1.90) — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by break
  Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment (imp:2.32 lvl:2.15) — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines,
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources (imp:2.11 lvl:1.90) — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (imp:2.06 lvl:1.95) — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others (imp:2.05 lvl:1.60) — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Developing Objectives and Strategies (imp:2.00 lvl:1.50) — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to 
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information (imp:1.95 lvl:1.60) — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resourc
  Staffing Organizational Units (imp:1.89 lvl:1.75) — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organ
  Thinking Creatively (imp:1.84 lvl:1.50) — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, syste
  Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment (imp:1.68 lvl:1.15) — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to t
  Selling or Influencing Others (imp:1.53 lvl:0.95) — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or

--- WORK STYLES ---
  Dependability (imp:3.00) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Dependability (imp:2.65) — A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related o
  Cautiousness (imp:2.62) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.19) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Attention to Detail (imp:2.00) — A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.
  Integrity (imp:1.89) — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Self-Control (imp:1.37) — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Cooperation (imp:1.14) — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Stress Tolerance (imp:1.07) — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Cautiousness (imp:1.00) — A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related
  Self-Confidence (imp:0.85) — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance (imp:0.81) — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Adaptability (imp:0.62) — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Achievement Orientation (imp:0.57) — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Initiative (imp:0.55) — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Leadership Orientation (imp:0.50) — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Sincerity (imp:0.29) — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Optimism (imp:0.07) — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Innovation () — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 
  Achievement Orientation () — A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, 
  Intellectual Curiosity () — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Tolerance for Ambiguity () — A tendency to be comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty at work.
  Initiative () — A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may
  Adaptability () — A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas 
  Self-Confidence () — A tendency to believe in one's work-related capabilities and ability to control 
  Perseverance () — A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in 
  Leadership Orientation () — A tendency to lead, take charge, offer opinions, and provide direction at work.
  Humility () — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Sincerity () — A tendency to be genuine and sincere in interactions with others at work, withou
  Empathy () — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Cooperation () — A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.
  Optimism () — A tendency to exhibit a positive attitude and positive emotions at work, even un
  Social Orientation () — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Integrity () — A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.
  Stress Tolerance () — A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.
  Self-Control () — A tendency to remain calm and composed and to manage emotions effectively in res
  Empathy (imp:-0.03) — A tendency to show concern for others and be sensitive to others' needs and feel
  Social Orientation (imp:-0.03) — A tendency to seek out, enjoy, and be energized by social interaction at work.
  Intellectual Curiosity (imp:-0.12) — A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep 
  Humility (imp:-0.14) — A tendency to be modest and humble when interacting with others at work.
  Innovation (imp:-0.61) — A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on 

--- TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ---
  Coordination (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Operations Monitoring (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working pr
  Operation and Control (imp:3.00 lvl:3.00) — Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Judgment and Decision Making (imp:3.00 lvl:2.62) — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the m
  Service Orientation (imp:2.88 lvl:2.62) — Actively looking for ways to help people.
  Complex Problem Solving (imp:2.88 lvl:2.75) — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and ev
  Time Management (imp:2.88 lvl:2.62) — Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Instructing (imp:2.75 lvl:2.62) — Teaching others how to do something.
  Social Perceptiveness (imp:2.62 lvl:2.25) — Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Persuasion (imp:2.62 lvl:2.25) — Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Negotiation (imp:2.50 lvl:2.12) — Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
  Quality Control Analysis (imp:2.50 lvl:2.25) — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate
  Troubleshooting (imp:2.38 lvl:2.00) — Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Management of Personnel Resources (imp:2.25 lvl:2.12) — Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best 
  Systems Evaluation (imp:2.00 lvl:1.50) — Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed 
  Equipment Maintenance (imp:1.75 lvl:1.38) — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind o
  Systems Analysis (imp:1.75 lvl:1.00) — Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, 
  Repairing (imp:1.62 lvl:1.25) — Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Equipment Selection (imp:1.50 lvl:0.75) — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Operations Analysis (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Technology Design (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Programming (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Writing computer programs for various purposes.
  Management of Material Resources (imp:1.12 lvl:0.12) — Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materi
  Installation (imp:1.00) — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Management of Financial Resources (imp:1.00) — Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for the
BLS OEWS May 2025 — 3,040 employed nationally bls.gov/oes ↗ · Public Domain · US Government · retrieved 2026-06-02
--- NATIONAL WAGES ---
  total_employment : 3,040
  annual_median    : $57,700
  annual_pct10     : $28,090
  annual_pct25     : $38,640
  annual_pct75     : $69,620
  annual_pct90     : $75,360
  annual_mean      : $55,370
  hourly_median    : $27.74

--- GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION ---
  highest_state    : Washington ($78,020)
  lowest_state     : Florida ($28,090)
  dispersion_ratio : 2.778x

--- TOP STATES BY WAGE (23 total) ---
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:    2,440  median: $  60,820
  Transportation and Warehousing           emp:      540  median: $  28,090

--- TOP INDUSTRIES BY EMPLOYMENT (2 total) ---
  Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) emp:    2,440  median: $  60,820
  Transportation and Warehousing           emp:      540  median: $  28,090
Wikipedia — no exact match (0 words) N/A ↗ · CC BY-SA 4.0
exact_match_status : no_exact_match
matched_title      : N/A
match_score        : 0.0000
wikidata_qid       : N/A
word_count         : 0
wikipedia_url      : N/A
license            : CC BY-SA 4.0
fetched_at         : 2026-06-02T23:35:39.241667Z

--- SEMANTIC NEIGHBORS (5) ---

  Title: Lock keeper (similarity: 0.4706)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lock_keeper
  QID: Q2420502
  Extract: A lock keeper, lock tender, or lock operator looks after a canal or river lock, operating it and if necessary maintaining it or organizing its maintenance. Traditionally, lock keepers lived on-site, often in small purpose-built cottages. A lock keeper may also be the operator for the lock's weir and

  Title: Centennial Bridge, Panama (similarity: 0.3750)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centennial_Bridge%2C_Panama
  QID: Q747908
  Extract: Panama's Centennial Bridge is a major bridge crossing the Panama Canal. It was built to supplement the overcrowded Bridge of the Americas and to replace it as the carrier of the Pan-American Highway. Upon its opening in 2004, it became the second permanent crossing of the canal.

  Title: Ghent–Terneuzen Canal (similarity: 0.2727)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghent%E2%80%93Terneuzen_Canal
  QID: Q1009271
  Extract: The Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, also known as the "Sea Canal" (Zeekanaal) is a canal linking Ghent in Belgium to the port of Terneuzen on the Westerschelde (Scheldt) Estuary in the Netherlands, thereby providing the former with better access to the sea.

  Title: Bentley Canal (similarity: 0.3333)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley_Canal
  QID: Q4890462
  Extract: The Bentley Canal is an abandoned canal that was part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations in England. A very short section still exists where it joins the Wyrley and Essington Canal in Wolverhampton. From there it headed generally southeast through Willenhall and Walsall and connected with the Anson

  Title: Bosley Lock Flight (similarity: 0.4390)
  URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosley_Lock_Flight
  QID: Q4947302
  Extract: Bosley Lock Flight is a flight of twelve canal locks, situated on the Macclesfield Canal at Bosley, near Macclesfield, Cheshire, England. The locks are substantially built with stone blocks, and unusually for narrow locks have mitre gates at both ends. They were each built with a side pond, which en
Claude Inference — claude-sonnet-4-20250514 · confidence:high · $0.0433 inferred_at: 2026-06-04T03:15:37 UTC · Boise Standard inference pipeline v1.0
model_pass1          : claude-sonnet-4-20250514
model_pass2          : claude-haiku-4-5-20251001
inference_confidence : high
confidence_notes     : Strong confidence supported by detailed O*NET data, clear BLS wage statistics, and specific task descriptions. Limited by small employment size (3,040) which may affect generalizability across all geographic regions.
inferred_at          : 2026-06-04T03:15:37.340957+00:00
tokens_input         : 4,609
tokens_output        : 4,043
cost_usd             : $0.043340
wikipedia_used       : False
wikipedia_title      : None
wikipedia_note       : No exact Wikipedia match found, though 'Lock keeper' provides similar context for canal and lock operations. The occupation represents a specialized niche within transportation infrastructure management.

--- PROSE FIELDS ---

ROLE SUMMARY:
Bridge and lock tenders operate and maintain critical marine transportation infrastructure including canal locks, drawbridges, and dam systems to facilitate safe vessel passage on inland waterways. They serve as traffic controllers for maritime operations, coordinating vessel movements while monitoring safety systems and recording operational data. These specialized operators ensure continuous flow of commercial and recreational marine traffic while maintaining detailed logs of activities and equipment conditions.

DAY IN THE LIFE:
A bridge and lock tender begins their shift by inspecting control systems and checking water levels and weather conditions. Throughout the day, they monitor radio communications and visual signals from approaching vessels, determining optimal timing for bridge openings or lock operations. They operate sophisticated control machinery to raise drawbridges or manage lock chambers, directing vessel movements through loudspeakers or signal systems. Between vessel passages, they document traffic logs, perform routine maintenance tasks like painting and cleaning, and prepare maintenance requisitions when equipment issues arise.

WHO THRIVES:
Individuals who excel in this role possess strong attention to detail and unwavering dependability, as marine safety depends on precise timing and careful observation. They have excellent visual acuity for monitoring distant vessels and the ability to maintain selective attention during long periods of routine operations punctuated by critical decision moments. Successful bridge and lock tenders demonstrate mechanical aptitude for operating complex control systems and strong communication skills for coordinating with vessel operators. They work well independently while remaining alert to changing conditions and emergency situations.

CAREER ENTRY:
Most bridge and lock tenders enter with a high school diploma (65% of workers) and receive on-the-job training in equipment operation and safety protocols. Some positions require post-secondary certificates in marine operations, transportation technology, or related technical fields (20% of workers). Entry-level workers typically begin under supervision, learning specific control systems and local waterway regulations before advancing to independent operations.

CAREER TRAJECTORY:
Bridge and lock tenders can advance to supervisory roles overseeing multiple bridge or lock facilities, or transition to related maritime operations like harbor master positions. Some progress into marine traffic control systems or advance to positions with water management agencies. Others leverage their mechanical skills and safety knowledge to move into facility maintenance management or marine equipment inspection roles.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE:
Bridge and lock tenders earn a median annual wage of $57,700 according to BLS OEWS May 2025, with experienced operators reaching $75,360 annually. Employment of 3,040 workers is concentrated primarily in government agencies (80%) managing public waterway infrastructure, with remaining positions in private transportation companies. Geographic wages vary significantly, from $28,090 in Florida to $78,020 in Washington state, reflecting regional differences in waterway traffic volume and cost of living. Job stability is high due to the essential nature of marine infrastructure operations.

AUTOMATION OUTLOOK:
Bridge and lock tender positions have moderate automation risk as remote monitoring systems and automated lock controls reduce the need for on-site operators. However, safety requirements and the need for real-time decision-making during complex vessel coordination scenarios will likely preserve many positions. The emphasis on direct vessel communication and emergency response capabilities provides protection against full automation.

--- REASONED EDGES ---
  [task_similarity] Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers (53-4022.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles involve controlling transportation infrastructure and coordinating vehicle movements through signals and communication systems.
    data: Controlling Machines and Processes (4.1 importance)
    data: Control equipment operations
    data: Traffic coordination responsibilities
  [knowledge_overlap] Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels (53-5021.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles require Transportation knowledge (2.8 level) and Public Safety and Security expertise (3.4 importance) for marine operations.
    data: Transportation knowledge
    data: Marine operations focus
    data: Vessel coordination tasks
  [skill_overlap] Hoist and Winch Operators (53-7041.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both positions emphasize Operation and Control skills (3.0 level) and Operations Monitoring (3.0 level) for mechanical systems.
    data: Operation and Control transferable skill
    data: Controlling Machines and Processes activity
    data: Equipment monitoring requirements
  [riasec_cluster] Motorboat Operators (53-5022.00) — confidence:high
    reasoning: Both roles share Realistic (6.15) and Conventional (4.37) orientations typical of transportation equipment operators.
    data: Realistic orientation (6.15)
    data: Equipment operation focus
    data: Transportation sector employment
  [job_zone] Crane and Tower Operators (53-7021.00) — confidence:medium
    reasoning: Both are Job Zone 2 positions requiring similar levels of preparation and on-the-job training for equipment operation.
    data: Job Zone 2 classification
    data: Equipment operation specialization
    data: High school education requirement

--- NORMALIZER SIGNALS ---
  match_keywords   : ['bridge tender', 'lock operator', 'drawbridge operator', 'lock tender', 'bridge operator', 'canal lock', 'dam operator', 'crossing tender']
  exclude_keywords : ['dental bridge', 'network bridge', 'software bridge', 'construction bridge', 'wireless bridge']
  title_patterns   : ['*bridge*tender*', '*lock*operator*', '*drawbridge*', '*dam*tender*', '*crossing*tender*']
  common_variations: ['bridge leverman', 'bridge opener', 'bridgeman', 'crossing watchman', 'dam attendant', 'draw operator', 'lock keeper', 'waterway operator']
Semantic Manifold — 40 terms · 5 provenance layers employment_word_extractor.py · sources: onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference · Constitutional Law III
total_terms    : 40
top_words      : ['tendency', 'others', 'equipment', 'lock', 'control', 'canal', 'traffic', 'bridge', 'principles', 'operations', 'vehicle', 'includes', 'objects', 'maintenance', 'monitoring', 'ideas', 'activities', 'locks', 'problems', 'management']
source_layers  : onet_tasks | onet_dimensions | dwas | wikipedia | inference

TERM                    COUNT     FREQ  DOMINANT SOURCE      SOURCE BREAKDOWN
──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
tendency                   42  0.01515  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
others                     39  0.01406  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:97%  inference:3%
equipment                  38  0.01370  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:61%  dwas:21%  inference:11%
lock                       24  0.00865  inference            inference:54%  wikipedia:38%  onet_tasks:8%
control                    23  0.00829  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:52%  dwas:22%  inference:22%
canal                      17  0.00613  wikipedia            wikipedia:76%  onet_tasks:12%  inference:12%
traffic                    17  0.00613  dwas                 dwas:41%  inference:29%  onet_tasks:24%
bridge                     16  0.00577  inference            inference:56%  onet_tasks:25%  wikipedia:19%
principles                 16  0.00577  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
operations                 14  0.00505  inference            inference:57%  onet_dimensions:43%
vehicle                    13  0.00469  dwas                 dwas:92%  onet_dimensions:8%
includes                   12  0.00433  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
objects                    12  0.00433  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
maintenance                11  0.00397  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:36%  inference:27%  onet_tasks:18%
monitoring                 11  0.00397  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:73%  inference:27%
ideas                      11  0.00397  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
activities                 11  0.00397  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:82%  dwas:9%  inference:9%
locks                      10  0.00361  wikipedia            wikipedia:50%  onet_tasks:40%  inference:10%
problems                   10  0.00361  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:90%  onet_tasks:10%
management                 10  0.00361  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:70%  inference:30%
techniques                 10  0.00361  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
materials                  10  0.00361  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
body                       10  0.00361  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
resources                   9  0.00325  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
quickly                     9  0.00325  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
orientation                 9  0.00325  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
vessels                     8  0.00288  onet_tasks           onet_tasks:62%  inference:25%  dwas:12%
moving                      8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  onet_tasks:12%
attention                   8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  inference:25%
needs                       8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
procedures                  8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
rules                       8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
providing                   8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:88%  wikipedia:12%
standards                   8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
production                  8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
events                      8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
actions                     8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
performing                  8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:100%
movement                    8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:50%  dwas:50%
maintaining                 8  0.00288  onet_dimensions      onet_dimensions:75%  wikipedia:12%  inference:12%
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