Occupation · SOC 53-6011
Bridge and Lock Tenders
Operate and tend bridges, canal locks, and lighthouses to permit marine passage on inland waterways, near shores, and at danger points in waterway passages. May supervise such operations. Includes drawbridge operators, lock operators, and slip bridge operators.
Median wage
$58,490
$32,690–$74,400
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
2,720
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
MonitoringActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingCoordinationOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlJudgment and Decision Making
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Electronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareWord processing softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Representative tasks
Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best use of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.Write and submit maintenance work requisitions.Log data, such as water levels and weather conditions.Prepare accident reports.Perform maintenance duties, such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening.Raise drawbridges and observe passage of water traffic or lower drawbridges and raise automobile gates.Stop automobile and pedestrian traffic on bridges, and lower automobile gates prior to moving bridges.Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments.Inspect canal and bridge equipment, and areas, such as roadbeds, for damage or defects, reporting problems to supervisors as necessary.Attach ropes or cable lines to bitts on lock decks or wharfs to secure vessels.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Bridge and lock control machinery — operate under direct supervision to open and close basic drawbridge mechanisms at a supervised waterway station.Vessel position and size — observe and report to a senior tender using established visual checkpoints along a canal lock approach.Whistle signals from approaching vessels — recognize and interpret standard auditory codes under the guidance of an experienced operator.Traffic signals and navigation lights — activate by moving assigned levers following a step-by-step checklist at a highway drawbridge post.Vessel passage records — record names, types, and destinations in a pre-formatted logbook under direct supervisor review at the end of each shift.Water level and weather data — log basic readings into a standardized daily report form with assistance from a senior tender.Telecommunication equipment — use handheld radio to relay simple vessel directions within a lock area under close operational oversight.Maintenance issues — identify and verbally report observable equipment defects to a supervisor during routine walkthrough inspections.Lock space allocation — assist in directing small vessels into appropriate lock spaces by following instructions from a lead tender.Office suite and word processing software — enter shift data and basic correspondence into templates under direction at a bridge or lock control station.
developing
Drawbridge and lock machinery — operate independently to open and close horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges during routine vessel traffic periods.Vessel approach monitoring — assess size, speed, and trajectory of approaching watercraft and make routine passage decisions at a moderately trafficked canal lock.Vessel movement direction — coordinate vessel positioning within lock chambers using loudspeakers and telecommunication equipment with minimal supervisory input.Traffic signal and alarm systems — activate navigation lights and auditory alarms in correct sequence to manage concurrent road and waterway traffic flow.Shift passage logs — accurately record vessel names, types, destinations, and train or vehicle counts in electronic logs using spreadsheet software at the end of each watch.Water level and weather condition data — collect, verify, and submit environmental readings to operations management using standard reporting protocols.Maintenance work requisitions — write and submit clear work order requests describing equipment faults observed during daily operational monitoring.Auditory and visual signal recognition — simultaneously monitor whistle signals, radio communications, and visual cues from multiple vessels approaching a bridge opening.Lock space utilization — evaluate vessel queue length and dimensions to optimize throughput and reduce vessel waiting time during moderate traffic.Electronic mail and ERP software — submit routine operational reports and maintenance requests through enterprise systems in accordance with facility procedures.
proficient
Canal lock and drawbridge machinery — operate the full range of control systems autonomously across all traffic conditions, including peak vessel and vehicle periods at a major waterway crossing.Multi-vessel traffic coordination — direct simultaneous movement of several vessels through a lock or bridge area using radio, loudspeaker, and visual signals without supervisory guidance.Non-routine vessel passage decisions — apply critical thinking to assess oversized or high-speed vessels and determine safe passage timing and lock sequencing independently.Emergency alarm and signal activation — execute emergency response protocols, including activating alarms and halting bridge traffic, in response to unexpected hazards or vessel incidents.Comprehensive operational logging — maintain accurate, complete electronic records of all vessel passages, water levels, and weather events using spreadsheet and office suite software across a full operational week.Equipment condition assessment — conduct systematic inspections of bridge and lock mechanical components and produce detailed maintenance requisitions that accurately describe fault type, severity, and urgency.Public safety and security protocols — apply knowledge of maritime public safety regulations to enforce compliance among vessel operators and vehicle traffic at the bridge or lock site.Situational awareness under pressure — maintain selective attention to simultaneous audio and visual signals from vessels, vehicles, and control panels during high-traffic or adverse weather conditions.Shift handover communication — prepare and deliver thorough verbal and written shift briefings covering operational status, pending maintenance, and notable vessel activity to incoming tenders.VPN and network security software — access and navigate secure operational networks to retrieve and submit sensitive facility data in accordance with agency security requirements.
advanced
Facility-wide operational standards — establish and enforce operating procedures for bridge and lock control across multiple posts or shifts at a regional waterway authority.Tender workforce development — mentor and evaluate emerging and developing tenders through structured on-the-job training programs tied to facility certification requirements.Strategic traffic throughput planning — analyze historical vessel passage data and seasonal patterns to develop scheduling recommendations that maximize lock and bridge efficiency across a waterway system.Maintenance program oversight — review and prioritize maintenance work requisitions from multiple tenders, coordinating with engineering and contracting staff to minimize operational downtime.Emergency response leadership — lead real-time incident response at a bridge or lock site, coordinating with coast guard, law enforcement, and public safety agencies during vessel incidents or structural emergencies.Regulatory compliance management — interpret and apply federal and state waterway safety and security regulations, ensuring facility operations meet all public safety and environmental reporting obligations.Operational data quality assurance — review and validate logs, water level records, and passage data submitted by all shift tenders to ensure accuracy for agency reporting and audit purposes.Technology and systems implementation — evaluate and guide adoption of new ERP, scheduling, or communication software at the facility level, training staff and troubleshooting integration issues.Cross-agency coordination — represent the facility in meetings with port authorities, transportation departments, and vessel operators to align bridge and lock operational policies across jurisdictions.Performance standard development — design and implement competency benchmarks and shift performance metrics used to assess tender readiness and continuous improvement across the operation.
Also known as
35 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Lighthouse KeeperMarine Tower OperatorBridge LevermanLevermanCrossing WatchmanDam RepairerDam OperatorLock RepairerGate AttendantLock Tender, Chief OperatorBridge OperatorSlip Bridge OperatorBridge OpenerDraw OperatorBridge Crew MemberDrawbridge OperatorLock MasterStation GatemanLockmanLock and Dam RepairerDrawbridge TenderBridgemanDam AttendantLock KeeperBridge Saw OperatorDam TenderBridge TenderLock and Dam OperatorLocks TenderCrossing TenderLock Tender OperatorBridge Operator, SlipLock TenderLock OperatorBridge Crewmember (Army 12C)