What does an assistant operator do?
The duties of an assistant operator depend on one's industry of employment or the kind of machine that they are operating. Typically, their tasks may revolve around coordinating with operators and other staff, handling and managing documents, understanding blueprints, and adhering to the directives of operators and supervisors. Furthermore, as an assistant operator, it is essential to perform support tasks, such as preparing tools and conducting regular maintenance checks to ensure the efficiency of machines and maintain a safe work environment.
Assistant operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real assistant operator resumes:
- Manage proper removal and allocation for full yarn spindles.
- Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
- Maintain current MSHA training requirements.
- Coordinate special movement of ISO tanks.
- Certify in MSHA hard-rock mine safety.
- Maintain spinning/winding machines by putting idle spindles and cones back into production.
- Keep machine running at all time until its time to doff and label.
- Plant maintenance, yard loader, asphalt loader, welder, and mill operator.
- Ensure proper cooking, cut, shape, moisture and weight of pet food6.
- Fill bobbins into pockets of machine then doff when package become a full ball of yarn.
- Climb ladders to inspect loads after loading are complete, in order to ensure that cargo are secure.
- Used either Microsoft word or PowerPoint to write reports depicting events and send to higher level for briefing.
- Used and maintain slings, nets, hooks, pallets, winches, hoists, and other cargo handling equipment.
- Assist operator wherever need and maintain the work place clean and organize while observing all safety policies and utilizing proper PPE.
- Prepare starter bars for casting, repair and adjust mechanical torches, set up tundish equipment and repair ladles as required.
Assistant operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 28% of Assistant Operators are proficient in Customer Service, Ladders, and Safety Procedures. They’re also known for soft skills such as Interpersonal skills, Organizational skills, and Writing skills.
We break down the percentage of Assistant Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 28%
Provided intermittent evaluation and mandatory yearly training of drivers in both safety and customer service to increase customer satisfaction.
- Ladders, 11%
Stooped, climbed ladders and lifted heavy loads during set-up for production assembly.
- Safety Procedures, 9%
Influenced a proactive company safety program and raised awareness of tactical and operational safety procedures for 3 companies.
- Safety Committee, 6%
Chaired the Workplace Safety Committee, analyzed working conditions and took proactive actions to mitigate hazardous work conditions.
- Quality Checks, 6%
Complete quality checks throughout manufacturing process of corrugate boxes.
- PPE, 5%
Followed the proper PPE's* Trained others to do their jobs.
Common skills that an assistant operator uses to do their job include "customer service," "ladders," and "safety procedures." You can find details on the most important assistant operator responsibilities below.
Interpersonal skills. One of the key soft skills for an assistant operator to have is interpersonal skills. You can see how this relates to what assistant operators do because "secretaries and administrative assistants interact with clients, customers, or staff." Additionally, an assistant operator resume shows how assistant operators use interpersonal skills: "work on the assembly line,operate the hi-lo when needed skills used computer skills, interpersonal and assertiveness skill. "
Organizational skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling assistant operator duties is organizational skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "secretaries and administrative assistants keep files, folders, and schedules in order so that an office runs efficiently." According to an assistant operator resume, here's how assistant operators can utilize organizational skills in their job responsibilities: "key responsibilities handled assist the hr manager in planning of organizational recruitment. "
Writing skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of assistant operators is writing skills. This skill is critical to many everyday assistant operator duties, as "secretaries and administrative assistants write memos and emails when communicating with managers, employees, and customers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "headed up safety & training for the company including writing safety procedures to comply with osha requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most assistant operators are:
- 7-Eleven186 assistant operators jobs
- ProAmpac52 assistant operators jobs
- Badger Daylighting39 assistant operators jobs
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Compare different assistant operators
Assistant operator vs. District administrative assistant
The district administrative assistant works as the primary contact person between the district administrator for education and its clients and customers. The district admin assistant helps with everyday administrative work. This includes evaluating daily performance, monitoring issues and problems from clients, and providing suggestions on how to improve the current state of the business. The district administrator assistant organizes all data from daily activities and generates reports and strategies from the data received.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, assistant operator responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "ladders," "safety procedures," and "cash control." Meanwhile a typical district administrative assistant has skills in areas such as "scheduling appointments," "travel arrangements," "financial reports," and "telephone calls." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
District administrative assistants really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $40,561. Comparatively, assistant operators tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $43,976.The education levels that district administrative assistants earn slightly differ from assistant operators. In particular, district administrative assistants are 3.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an assistant operator. Additionally, they're 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant operator vs. Administrative support assistant
Administrative support assistants are individuals who provide support to employees and managers. They provide assistance in general functions in various administrative or academic units. Their primary duties involve the management and dissemination of information within an organization. They take memos, maintain files, and answer phone calls. They should develop skills in technology, written and verbal communication, independence, and organization. Excellent skills in problem-solving, time management, and attention to detail are also important.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, assistant operator responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "ladders," "safety procedures," "cash control," and "safety committee." Meanwhile, an administrative support assistant has duties that require skills in areas such as "provides administrative support," "data entry," "patients," and "travel arrangements." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Administrative support assistants earn a lower average salary than assistant operators. But administrative support assistants earn the highest pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $37,118. Additionally, assistant operators earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $43,976 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Administrative support assistants tend to reach similar levels of education than assistant operators. In fact, they're 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.8% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant operator vs. Machine operator assistant
A press operator assistant is responsible for conducting various tasks such as maintaining the quality of machines, replenishing and securing the supplies attached, and operating printing equipment. Aside from this, they also have administrative duties ranging from overseeing the workflow and the workforce, conducting quality control inspections, producing progress reports, monitoring inventory, and even procuring supplies. There are also instances where a press operator assistant must clean devices and monitor efficiency to ensure smooth daily operations.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an assistant operator is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "ladders," "cash control," and "safety committee," while a typical machine operator assistant is skilled in "machine operators," "basic math," "tape measure," and "math."
Machine operators assistant make a very good living in the media industry with an average annual salary of $37,777. On the other hand, assistant operators are paid the highest salary in the energy industry, with average annual pay of $43,976.Most machine operators assistant achieve a similar degree level compared to assistant operators. For example, they're 3.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Assistant operator vs. Press operator assistant
Types of assistant operator
Updated January 8, 2025
