If you want to work as a bridge operator, you’ll need to learn not only how to operate different types of drawbridges, but also how to repair them and understand maritime law. Most transportation departments have different levels of expertise, which can lead to a career path in which you manage larger and more complex structures. Many years of on-the-job training, practice, and study are required to master the world of bridge operation.
To work as a bridge operator, you must be familiar with the steps involved in raising a drawbridge for passing ships. To activate the electrical warnings that stop traffic and trains, bridge operators must understand what each button and lever on the control panel does. The operator must also raise the bridge in a safe manner to allow boats to pass through without incident. When traffic resumes, the bridge is properly lowered so that vehicles can safely cross the structure.
In order to communicate with oncoming boats, a bridge operator must also know how to use ship-to-shore radio equipment. A thorough understanding of maritime law and how passing ships should behave is also required. If you want to be a bridge operator, you must be able to recognize problems and make simple mechanical and electrical repairs on everything from the navigation lights to the bridge gates.
If you want to become a bridge operator, you may have to perform some less-than-glamorous duties, depending on the bridge. Many bridge operators are required to perform preventative maintenance such as light bulb replacements, routine oiling, and painting. Once you’ve reached a certain level of responsibility, training less experienced operators can become routine.
There are no bridge operator schools in your area that can teach you these skills. Strong math and physics grades can help you understand things faster, but on-the-job training is the only way to gain the skills you’ll need to work on your own bridge someday. Assisting a bridge operator is the best way to start learning about bridge dynamics, maritime law, and mechanics. Many times, such positions do not have a budget, so offering to work for free is one way to get your foot in the door. This isn’t a high-paying job, but it’ll help you build your résumé and get a job as a bridge operator at a lower level.
Most countries have a transportation department in charge of bridge maintenance, and many will have jobs divided by level of expertise. You must work your way up this experience ladder to become a bridge operator, most likely starting with simple one-lane bridges and progressing to more complex, multi-layered structures. In the United States, for example, the most basic bridge workers are classified as Bridge Operator one. With larger, more difficult bridges, this number rises, and promotion requires enough time at each position. The on-the-job training never ends because you will gain more knowledge and understanding of bridges with each new structure you work on.
Being a bridge operator necessitates extensive on-the-job training and patience. The job also comes with a lot of responsibilities, as the safety of any passing boats and waiting automobiles is in your hands. If you enjoy boating and mechanics, operating a bridge could be a good fit for you.