Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers

Career Description: Smooth and finish surfaces of poured concrete, such as floors, walks, sidewalks, roads, or curbs using a variety of hand and power tools. Align forms for sidewalks, curbs, or gutters; patch voids; use saws to cut expansion joints.

Industry: Construction and Extraction

Other Job Titles for Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Check the forms that hold the concrete to see that they are properly constructed.
• Set the forms that hold concrete to the desired pitch and depth, and align them.
• Spread, level, and smooth concrete, using rake, shovel, hand or power trowel, hand or power screed, and float.
• Mold expansion joints and edges, using edging tools, jointers, and straightedge.
• Monitor how the wind, heat, or cold affect the curing of the concrete throughout the entire process.
• Signal truck driver to position truck to facilitate pouring concrete, and move chute to direct concrete on forms.
• Produce rough concrete surface, using broom.
• Operate power vibrator to compact concrete.
• Direct the casting of the concrete and supervise laborers who use shovels or special tools to spread it.
• Mix cement, sand, and water to produce concrete, grout, or slurry, using hoe, trowel, tamper, scraper, or concrete-mixing machine.
• Cut out damaged areas, drill holes for reinforcing rods, and position reinforcing rods to repair concrete, using power saw and drill.
• Wet concrete surface, and rub with stone to smooth surface and obtain specified finish.
• Wet surface to prepare for bonding, fill holes and cracks with grout or slurry, and smooth, using trowel.
• Clean chipped area, using wire brush, and feel and observe surface to determine if it is rough or uneven.
• Apply hardening and sealing compounds to cure surface of concrete, and waterproof or restore surface.
• Chip, scrape, and grind high spots, ridges, and rough projections to finish concrete, using pneumatic chisels, power grinders, or hand tools.
• Spread roofing paper on surface of foundation, and spread concrete onto roofing paper with trowel to form terrazzo base.
• Build wooden molds, and clamp molds around area to be repaired, using hand tools.
• Sprinkle colored marble or stone chips, powdered steel, or coloring powder over surface to produce prescribed finish.
• Cut metal division strips, and press them into terrazzo base so that top edges form desired design or pattern.
• Fabricate concrete beams, columns, and panels.
• Waterproof or restore concrete surfaces, using appropriate compounds.
• Install anchor bolts, steel plates, door sills and other fixtures in freshly poured concrete or pattern or stamp the surface to provide a decorative finish.
• Apply muriatic acid to clean surface, and rinse with water.
• Push roller over surface to embed chips in surface.
• Polish surface, using polishing or surfacing machine.

Emerging Tasks

• Clean up before and after installation, including vacuuming carpet and discarding remnant pieces.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adhere to safety procedures
• apply adhesives, caulking, sealants, or coatings
• apply cleaning solvents
• apply grouting or other masonry adhesives
• apply plaster, stucco or related material
• build or repair masonry structures, including kilns or furnaces
• build or repair structures in construction, repair, or manufacturing setting
• climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
• construct molds
• create decorative textures in finish coat
• cut or shape stone, tile, brick, or related material
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• erect scaffold
• fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
• finish concrete surfaces
• install prefabricated building components
• lay out masonry work
• measure tile or masonry materials
• mix mortar, grout, slurry, concrete, or related masonry material
• mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
• move or fit heavy objects
• operate jackhammer
• operate power construction equipment
• perform safety inspections in construction or resource extraction setting
• prepare site or surfaces for concrete or masonry work
• read blueprints
• read tape measure
• read technical drawings
• repair or replace damaged bricks, tile, or related masonry
• signal directions or warnings to coworkers
• understand construction specifications
• use basic carpentry techniques
• use concrete fabrication techniques
• use hand or power tools
• use measuring devices in construction or extraction work
• use surfacing machine to polish terrazzo or concrete
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• stretch, bend, straighten, shape, pound, or press metal or plastic
• test mechanical products or equipment
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use acetylene welding/cutting torch
• use arc welding equipment
• use basic plumbing techniques
• use combination welding procedures
• use hand or power tools
• use pipe fitting equipment
• use pneumatic tools
• use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use pressure gauges
• use turnbuckle in structural repair or assembly work
• verify levelness or verticality, using level or plumb bob
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Overall Experience
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.

Education
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

Examples
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$16.27
• Average annual wage (2007) - $33,840.00

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 11.40%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 25,251
• Employment (2006): 221,539

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