What does a section chief do?
A section chief's job varies with the type of organization. In most cases, a section chief is the head of a given section in an organization that is tasked with performing certain duties. A section chief is the head of a unit and provides leadership, motivation, and management of a section of employees. Their duties and responsibilities include reviewing and overseeing budgets, expenditure, and section activities.
Section chief responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real section chief resumes:
- Manage sortie production on 17 USAF E-8C aircraft worth $6.2 billion.
- Manage HAZMAT accumulation storage points and documentation.
- Manage training time effectively ensuring employees have every opportunity to learn necessary skills to succeed in a combat environment.
- Assist in planning, implementing and administering educational training that enhance performance in combat operations for soldiers to accomplish every mission.
- Provide leadership and knowledge of federal shipping and logistics regulations by managing adherence to all policies and procedures from higher headquarters.
- Complete HAZMAT transport course and establish on-site certifying capability.
- Coordinate anti-terrorism/force protection efforts; protect DoD assets across Georgia/Florida.
- Schedule and conduct monthly anti terrorism training for newly assign personnel.
- Recapture and recharge refrigerant systems as needed under supervision of certify HVAC personnel.
- Provide critical intelligence to the DoD, operational, acquisition, and policy-making communities.
- Perform logistics support require for recurring deployment packages including inbound/outbound aircraft, cargo and personnel.
- Demonstrate resilience in leading airmen during extend hours, exercises, contingency deployments and family crisis.
- Direct all aspects of operations, develop and monitor budgets, and ensure logistics support for communications operations.
- Assist in planning, implementing and administering educational training that enhance performance in combat operations for soldiers to accomplish every mission.
- Establish, operate, and maintain EOD explosive proficiency ranges.
Section chief skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Section Chiefs are proficient in Safety Procedures, Training Programs, and Professional Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Quick reaction time, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Section Chiefs that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Safety Procedures, 22%
Computed safety computations for artillery ranges to compensate for impact areas, air space, military geometries and environmental safety procedures.
- Training Programs, 9%
Designed training programs in mortar and sniper/counter sniper operations to prepare subordinates for upcoming deployments and future leadership roles.
- Professional Development, 7%
Planned shifts/training schedules; reviewed performance reports; responsible for airmen's professional development
- Logistical Support, 6%
Coordinated logistical support for myriad of teams in support of implementing and operating experimental aircraft weapons and avionics systems.
- Combat, 6%
Assist in planning, implementing and administering educational training that enhanced performance in combat operations for soldiers to accomplish every mission.
- Corrective Action, 5%
Evaluated production and equipment performance to identify deficient areas and initiates corrective action within a combined 10,000 square foot maintenance facility.
Common skills that a section chief uses to do their job include "safety procedures," "training programs," and "professional development." You can find details on the most important section chief responsibilities below.
Problem-solving skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a section chief to have is problem-solving skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "pilots must be able to identify complex problems and figure out appropriate solutions." Section chiefs often use problem-solving skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "resolved driving government vehicle with hazardous material (hazmat) on local and state roadways. "
Quick reaction time. Many section chief duties rely on quick reaction time. "pilots must respond quickly, and with good judgment, to any impending danger.," so a section chief will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways section chief responsibilities rely on quick reaction time: "contributed in greatly improving engine performance and safety through effective management of 296 time compliance technical orders. "
Communication skills. section chiefs are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to section chief responsibilities, because "pilots must speak clearly when conveying information to air traffic controllers and other crew members." A section chief resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "trained the unit on the comsec process to facilitate secure voice and digital communication between the radar systems. "
The three companies that hire the most section chiefs are:
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock6 section chiefs jobs
- Phoenix Children's6 section chiefs jobs
- Johnson Mirmiran & Thompson Inc4 section chiefs jobs
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Compare different section chiefs
Section chief vs. Body shop manager
A maintenance supervisor is responsible for directing and managing the overall maintenance department, inspecting the safety of operation equipment, and ensuring that everyone follows the standards and regulatory procedures to keep the production area safe and efficient. Maintenance supervisor duties also include delegating tasks to the maintenance personnel, evaluating the site condition regularly, reviewing inventory, and requesting stocks as necessary. They must also keep track of incident reports and connect with the operations management for any concerns and recommendations.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, section chief responsibilities require skills like "training programs," "professional development," "logistical support," and "combat." Meanwhile a typical body shop manager has skills in areas such as "dealership," "customer service," "customer satisfaction," and "insurance adjusters." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
On average, body shop managers reach lower levels of education than section chiefs. Body shop managers are 5.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Section chief vs. Maintenance supervisor
A lead mechanic coordinates the teams of mechanics and ensures the timely completion of repairs. Lead mechanics supervise their subordinates, order mechanical parts, and inspect their work making sure that the standards are met. They are responsible for repairing, overhauling, and maintaining vehicles or farm equipment. It is their job to provide support and give advice on matters associated with repairs. They also conduct road tests and maintain the repair of equipment. They should also have leadership and strong communication skills.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that section chief responsibilities requires skills like "training programs," "professional development," "logistical support," and "combat." But a maintenance supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "plumbing," "hvac," "customer service," and "osha."
On average, maintenance supervisors earn a lower salary than section chiefs. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, maintenance supervisors earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $73,337. Whereas section chiefs have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $59,842.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Maintenance supervisors tend to reach lower levels of education than section chiefs. In fact, they're 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Section chief vs. Work center supervisor
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from section chief resumes include skills like "training programs," "logistical support," "combat," and "corrective action," whereas a work center supervisor is more likely to list skills in "maintenance procedures," "preventative maintenance," "corrective maintenance," and "electrical equipment. "
Work center supervisors typically earn similar educational levels compared to section chiefs. Specifically, they're 4.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Section chief vs. Lead mechanic
Types of section chief
Updated January 8, 2025
