Transportation Inspector

Inspect equipment or goods in connection with the safe transport of cargo or people. Includes rail transportation inspectors, such as freight inspectors, rail inspectors, and other inspectors of transportation vehicles not elsewhere classified.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Cargo Surveyor; Inspector; Marine Cargo Surveyor; Marine Surveyor; Petroleum Inspector

Tasks

• Prepare and submit reports after completion of freight shipments.
• Inspect shipments to ensure that freight is securely braced and blocked.
• Record details about freight conditions, handling of freight, and any problems encountered.
• Advise crews in techniques of stowing dangerous and heavy cargo.
• Observe loading of freight to ensure that crews comply with procedures.
• Recommend remedial procedures to correct any violations found during inspections.
• Inspect loaded cargo, cargo lashed to decks or in storage facilities, and cargo handling devices to determine compliance with health and safety regulations and need for maintenance.
• Notify workers of any special treatment required for shipments.
• Direct crews to reload freight or to insert additional bracing or packing as necessary.
• Check temperatures and humidities of shipping and storage areas to ensure that they are at appropriate levels to protect cargo.
• Determine cargo transportation capabilities by reading documents that set forth cargo loading and securing procedures, capacities, and stability factors.
• Read draft markings to determine depths of vessels in water.

Knowledge

• Transportation
• English Language
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mathematics
• Public Safety and Security
• Administration and Management
• Mechanical
• Law and Government

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Active Listening
• Monitoring

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Inductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Information Ordering
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Category Flexibility
• Flexibility of Closure
• Speech Clarity
• Perceptual Speed
• Visualization
• Selective Attention