What does a Lift Operator do?
A lift operator is responsible for overseeing the performance of chair lifts in ski resorts and mountains, ensuring the efficiency of the machine and safety of all riders. Aside from controlling operations, they must also assist customers in getting up and off the lifts, remind them of the safety precautions, and ensure that the ride capacity is up to standard. Furthermore, lift operators must make sure that the machine is in good condition and adhere to all the safety regulations and policies at all times.
Lift operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real lift operator resumes:
- Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
- Use AS400 to take yarn out of inventory.
- Load and unload ship cargo using wenches or other hoisting devices.
- Check forklift for problems such as fluid levels, tires and forks.
- Load and unload trucks with as sit down with slip sheet and double forks attachment practicing a safe environment.
- Record inventory and reroute misplaced pallets at rack locations to the correct location
- Perform inventory accuracy transactions into MARC, load trailers, organize pallets into the warehouse and receive packaging materials.
- Align machines and equipment using hoists, lacks, hand tools, squares, rules, micrometers, and plumbing bobs.
- Lift finished and pack products using hoists to place products on work surfaces for further processing, inspection, and wrapping.
- Instruct them on the LTO procedures and drive lifts ]
- Load and unload items from machines and dollies.
Lift operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Lift Operators are proficient in Pallets, Fork-Lift, and Electric Pallet Jack. They’re also known for soft skills such as Alertness, Communication skills, and Coordination.
We break down the percentage of Lift Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 17%
Performed inventory accuracy transactions into MARC, load trailers, organized pallets into the warehouse and received packaging materials.
- Fork-Lift, 14%
Operated fork-lift to transport finished product to shipping warehouse for distribution.
- Electric Pallet Jack, 10%
Unloaded products from truck receiving department using electric riding electric pallet jack and electric stand up, sit down forklift.
- Safety Rules, 9%
Apply safety rules, practice safe work habits, identify safety risks, and avoid potentially risky behaviors and situation.
- Power Saws, 4%
Load / unload trailer use power saws or shears to cut mattress covers
- Load Trucks, 4%
Load & unload trucks for delivery; check trucks in @ beginning of delivery, check trucks in @ end of day
Most lift operators use their skills in "pallets," "fork-lift," and "electric pallet jack" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential lift operator responsibilities here:
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform lift operator duties is communication skills. Lift operators responsibilities require that "material moving machine operators signal and direct workers to load and unload material." Lift operators also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "worked under extreme conditions, maintained proper communication with all supervisors, and followed all safety rules and regulations. "
Coordination. This is an important skill for lift operators to perform their duties. For an example of how lift operator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "material moving machine operators must have steady hands and feet to guide and control heavy machinery precisely." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a lift operator: "maintained good communication with supervisors, managers, and co-workers for proper safety procedures and coordination of various shipments. ".
Mechanical skills. lift operator responsibilities often require "mechanical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "material moving machine operators make minor adjustments to their machines and perform basic maintenance on them." This resume example shows what lift operators do with mechanical skills on a typical day: "performed mechanical safety checks and responded to skiers' needs, ensuring safety and proper protocol. "
Visual ability. Another common skill required for lift operator responsibilities is "visual ability." This skill comes up in the duties of lift operators all the time, as "material moving machine operators must be able to see clearly where they are driving or what they are moving." An excerpt from a real lift operator resume shows how this skill is central to what a lift operator does: "provided excellent customer service for every guest maintained the lift and its surrounding area; making sure everything is visually pleasing. "
The three companies that hire the most lift operators are:
- United Natural Foods104 lift operators jobs
- Four Seasons Produce29 lift operators jobs
- TPI26 lift operators jobs
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Compare different lift operators
Lift operator vs. Material handler/forklift operator
A material handler and forklift operator is responsible for transporting and storing various kinds of goods, even including fragile or hazardous shipments. The duties and location will vary depending on the line of work or industry involved. However, most of the tasks will require efficiency in operating machinery, communication skills, and great attention to detail. Furthermore, a material handler and forklift operator must monitor products and keep an accurate record of overall activities, transport materials within allotted time and schedule, and maintain communication and coordination with co-workers and supervisors.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a lift operator are more likely to require skills like "fork-lift," "power saws," "quality standards," and "customer service." On the other hand, a job as a material handler/forklift operator requires skills like "sit-down forklift," "unload trucks," "forklift training," and "unload materials." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Material handler/forklift operators really shine in the automotive industry with an average salary of $37,909. Comparatively, lift operators tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,028.On average, material handler/forklift operators reach similar levels of education than lift operators. Material handler/forklift operators are 0.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Lift operator vs. Machine operator/forklift operator
A machine operator/forklift operator is responsible for operating industrial trucks to move merchandise around the warehouse facilities and other assigned areas. Machine operators/forklift operators also assist with inventory tasks by scanning orders and ensuring the correct merchandise for shipment. They manage the stability of the vehicles, ensuring its efficiency and optimization during operations, performing engine repairs for any inconsistencies to avoid delays on deliveries. A machine operator/forklift operator should strictly follow the safety protocols of the business, as well as have knowledge of the mechanical industry.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that lift operator responsibilities requires skills like "pallets," "fork-lift," "power saws," and "customer service." But a machine operator/forklift operator might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "drive forklift," "machine operation," "cnc," and "quality checks."
Machine operator/forklift operators may earn a higher salary than lift operators, but machine operator/forklift operators earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $36,711. On the other hand, lift operators receive higher pay in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $36,028.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Machine operator/forklift operators tend to reach similar levels of education than lift operators. In fact, they're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lift operator vs. Warehouse machine operator
Warehouse machine operators perform various tasks for their employers. These include setting up, operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting machinery, inspecting parts for specifications and any potential damage, and reading and interpreting diagrams and blueprints to position and secure the machines. They are expected to communicate with other team members and provide support for continuous production. Most employers are looking to hire someone with knowledge of production and safety procedures, previous experience as a machine operator, and analytical skills.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from lift operator resumes include skills like "pallets," "fork-lift," "safety rules," and "power saws," whereas a warehouse machine operator is more likely to list skills in "basic math," "shipping receiving," "warehouse operations," and "machine operation. "
Warehouse machine operators earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $36,642. Lift operators earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $36,028.Most warehouse machine operators achieve a similar degree level compared to lift operators. For example, they're 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Lift operator vs. Reach truck operator
Ramp supervisors oversee safety procedures, ramp equipment, and company policies. They will be tasked with oversight of airport ramp operations, directing the loading and unloading of aircraft cargo and baggage, assurance of proper ramp functions, and compliance with the airport and the government's regulations. Ramp supervisors will also train and manage other staff members.
Types of lift operator
Updated January 8, 2025
