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Dock operator skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical dock operator skills. We ranked the top skills for dock operators based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 22.1% of dock operator resumes contained pallets as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a dock operator needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 dock operator skills for your resume and career

1. Pallets

Here's how dock operators use pallets:

Open cargo, arrange shipped materials onto pallets and prepare them for pickup by truck drivers.
Transferred heavy loads and pallets from the receiving dock to a warehouse.

2. RF

Here's how dock operators use rf:

Receive product using hand-held RF gun, took to location using forklift or walkie-rider, and closed paperwork using computer.
Pick Product by part number, use hand-held RF scanner to obtain picks (Directed by RedPrairie warehouse management system).

3. Safety Standards

Here's how dock operators use safety standards:

Order selection Truck loading and placement Maintain safety standards, Fork lift experience Knowledge of all job functions within warehouse
Follow safety standards set by the organization.

4. Gauges

Here's how dock operators use gauges:

Monitored pumps for vibration, pressure gauges, oil levels, and sumps.
Monitor gauges, valves and equipment to ensure everything is functioning like normal.

5. Rail Cars

Rail Cars, also called railroad cars, are large containers set on a railway and pulled by a locomotive. Rail cars are frequently used for shipping large quantities of product or material, such as metal, chemicals, or livestock; however, a rail car may also transport people such as a subway system. A locomotive often pulls numerous cars that attach to each other, which then form a train.

Here's how dock operators use rail cars:

Run the following truck racks; gasoline and sulfur as well as loading benzene onto rail cars.
Conduct the loading and unloading of ships, rail cars, and trucks.

6. Pallet Jack

Here's how dock operators use pallet jack:

Perform freight handling using appropriate motorized and manual equipment including but not limited to forklift, pallet jack and hand truck.
Move product safely using forklift, pallet jack and dock loader.

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7. PPE

Personal protective equipment is an item of protective clothing such as goggles, helmets, or other garments meant to protect the body from injury.

Here's how dock operators use ppe:

Conduct pre transfer conference discussing all critical points during the transfer, safety regulations, PPE requirements , and communication requirements.
Shift safety auditor- safety audits, incident investigations, PPE verification

8. Mechanical Equipment

Mechanical equipment is a term referring to the machinery which have been created and gathered for the purpose of fulfilling one or more functions and consisting of, most often, multiple components.

Here's how dock operators use mechanical equipment:

Qualified in crane operations, hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical equipment as well as operate manual and/or motor operated valves.

9. DOI

Here's how dock operators use doi:

Complete all required paperwork (DOI, NOR) necessary for the transfer involving a ship on the waterway.
Complete and signs declaration of inspection (Doi).

10. Inventory Control

Here's how dock operators use inventory control:

Offloaded inbound and city trailers for inventory control and stocking.
Inventory control - maintenance duties and custodian related duties.

11. Unload Trucks

Unload trucks is an activity that is undertaken to remove items that have been carried on a truck. It could be raw materials, work-in-stock or finished products. Unloading a truck may require people and some equipment that may help unload items that are too heavy or dangerous for humans to handle.

Here's how dock operators use unload trucks:

Load and unload trucks and snow removal as needed.
Unload trucks as drivers pulled in.

12. Open Communication

Open communication refers to a form of communication where two individuals share all necessary information with one another, usually in order to complete a series of assignments. This transparency often promotes a positive work environment as work colleagues are free to express ideas and build off of one another in meetings and debates.

Here's how dock operators use open communication:

Maintain open communication with person in charge of vessel to ensure transfer isaccomplished in a safe and efficient manner.

13. Chronological Order

Here's how dock operators use chronological order:

Maintain detailed dock logs to ensure all events are recorded in chronological order.

14. Hazardous Materials

Any substance or good that is harmful to human health as well as the environment are called hazardous materials. Such materials must be handled carefully to avoid any mishaps. Harmful gases. chemicals, strong medicines or drugs, radioactive elements required for radiation purposes, a human blood sample that carries germs, all of these are considered hazardous materials.

Here's how dock operators use hazardous materials:

Handled hazardous (including poison) and non-hazardous materials within OSHA guidelines.
Comprehended and complies with hazardous materials regulations and emergency responses.

15. Storage Tanks

Storage Tanks are vessels containing substances in the form of liquid and gases which can be stored underground and above the ground. These containers can hold matter such as waste materials, chemicals, water, and petroleum. They come in shapes of horizontal and vertical cylinders with either open or closed tops.

Here's how dock operators use storage tanks:

Gauged storage tanks when full before getting close outs from tank inspectors.
Transferred material from tank trucks to storage tanks.

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What skills help Dock Operators find jobs?

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List of dock operator skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a dock operator resume and required skills for a dock operator to have include:

Pallets
RF
Safety Standards
Gauges
Rail Cars
Pallet Jack
PPE
Mechanical Equipment
DOI
Inventory Control
Unload Trucks

Open Communication
Chronological Order
Hazardous Materials
Storage Tanks
DOT
Coast Guard Regulations
Hand Trucks
MSDS
Protective Clothing
Customer Orders
Benzene

LOTO
Safety Procedures
Log Book
PIC
CPR
Tank Farm
USCG
Responder
Tank Trucks

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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