Able Seamen Job DescriptionWhether on inland waterways or on the high seas, able seamen or "deckhands" play an important role in the commercial shipping industry or merchant marines.
When in port, they rig cargo booms and tend other machines used to load and unload a ship. When under way, they may stand watch, steer the ship, inspect, maintain, and operate life boats, anchors, cargo-handling machines, and other deck equipment
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Agricultural Inspectors Job DescriptionAmerica’s farms and ranches feed the world.
The wood from our forests is also in great demand.
Agricultural Inspectors help to make sure that everything grown for commercial purposes meets government standards for quality and safety.
Inspectors are involved in all aspects of the production process…often examining samples along the way.
They also inspect the equipment used in the production; checking to see that it’s clean and in proper working condition
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Agriculture Food and Natural Resources Job DescriptionPeople who work in Agriculture and Natural Resources are carrying on a tradition as old as civilization itself. Ever since humans made the transition from hunting and gathering to farming and building homes, they have relied on those who specialized in developing sources for food and shelter.
The search for food, and the operation of tools for planting and harvesting, now uses the very latest technology
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Ambulette Drivers and Attendants, Except EMTThis is a job that often requires speed, but always combined with the utmost care.
Ambulette drivers and attendants
drive vehicles and assist in transporting sick or injured people.
Many of these jobs do not come with flashing lights and sirens, however. Often people who are getting over procedures, or need help getting to and from medical care, are also taken care of by ambulette drivers and attendants
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Athletic Trainers Job DescriptionOne of the key players on any sports team never takes the field -- the athletic trainer. This member of the team keeps players in top shape.
The most important part of the job is helping athletes prevent and recover from sports injuries. Working closely with team doctors, trainers wrap injuries and supervise physical therapy.
Athletic trainers study practice sessions, and provide individualized exercise routines for athletes to improve their performance
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Audiologists Job DescriptionHearing loss can be gradual or sudden. Either way it can be devastating. When it comes to problems with hearing or balance…people turn to specialists called Audiologists.
They use sophisticated testing equipment and computers to measure the level and quality of the patient’s hearing. The audiologist then interprets the results, and makes a diagnosis and suggests treatment.
For example, there may be blockage in the ear canal that needs to be removed
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Aviation Inspectors Job DescriptionWhen you board an aircraft, it’s good to know that aviation inspectors have been on the job.
They ensure that all United States registered aircraft meet federal safety regulations.
One way this is done is by careful and extensive inspection of the aircraft.
Aviation inspectors must also examine flight and repair records.
Only aircraft that have a valid airworthy, certificate issued by the FAA, can fly
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Bus Drivers, School Job Description A friendly person in many young children’s lives is the School Bus driver. These individuals are responsible for safely transporting children to and from school every day. Students are picked up and dropped off at designated locations on a set route and schedule.
School bus drivers are trained to operate their vehicles safely and maintain a safe atmosphere on the bus. Drivers must be especially careful when children get on or exit the bus
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Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity Job DescriptionWhether cross-town or cross-country, bus drivers are people movers.
Inter-city bus drivers operate vehicles that go between regions or states, transit bus drivers operate busses in large metropolitan and suburban areas, and motor coach drivers take people on charter excursions or tours that may last several days. Some drivers are responsible for collecting fares and issuing transfers.
Bus drivers are expected to keep to fixed routes and schedules
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Captains and Mates on Water Vessels Job DescriptionSeafaring is not just a career…it’s a lifestyle. Captains and mates spend months at a time on vessels of all sizes…on inland lakes and rivers, as well as the open sea.
Captains and mates are the senior officers of the ship. Earning one of these positions usually comes after years on board, demonstrating competence and working your way up through the ranks.
The captain is responsible for every aspect of the voyage
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Chiropractors Job DescriptionMany people with aches, pains and other health complaints depend on chiropractors to help them cope.
Also called Doctors of Chiropractic, or chiropractic physicians, they diagnose and treat patients whose health problems are associated with the body’s muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems, especially the spine.
Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, but they are thoroughly trained through two to four years of pre-professional college education, with a bachelor’s degree recommended
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Conservation Officer / Fish and Game Wardens Job DescriptionJust as city police officers protect people…fish and game wardens protect wildlife. In some states, they’re called Conservation Officers.
They enforce laws and regulations designed to conserve fish and animal populations. They patrol their assigned areas by car, boat, airplane, horse or on foot.
As officers of the law, Fish and Game Wardens, or Conservation Officers, carry weapons and are trained by the local, state or federal agency that employs them
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Couriers and Messengers Job DescriptionSome call them messengers, some call them couriers. What they do is pick up and deliver letters, important business documents or packages.
Even in an electronic age, the physical act of delivering something important is essential.
A messenger is called when the item has to be delivered quickly or when it’s so important that it has to be hand-carried to its destination.
Usually messengers deliver things locally—either within a building when they work for a large company, or across town in a metropolitan area
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Dentists, General Job DescriptionOpen wi--ide. Dentists diagnose and treat problems that occur in teeth and the tissues of the mouth. They fill cavities, repair broken teeth, perform extractions and clean teeth. They make molds for dentures to replace missing teeth and advise patients in good dental hygiene.
Dentists use drills, x-ray machines, forceps, mirrors and brushes to do their jobs. They wear masks, gloves and safety glasses to protect themselves from infectious diseases
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Dietitians and Nutritionists Job DescriptionThe positive health and lifestyle effects of a healthy diet are very much in the news.
The people behind the headlines are dietitians and nutritionists, who work to help all kinds of people, take better care of themselves, by making wiser food choices.
For someone being treated for high blood pressure, a consulting dietitian or nutritionist in private practice, or associated with a clinic, can help design a diet that tastes great with less salt and fat
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Finance Job DescriptionFinancial Services professionals are people who do for business, what most of us have to do for ourselves: keep track of money. Just as individuals have to plan for expenses, and figure out how to live on the revenue coming in, so do corporations and government.
Providing financial services requires training, skill, and an ability to be unemotional about business. The world counts upon the people who “do the numbers” to provide clear, objective information
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First-Line Supervisors / Managers of constructionBuilding a new high rise, shopping mall or factory is a complicated effort. Construction Managers supervise these projects, make decisions about daily operations and keep costs within budget.
Construction managers represent the building owner or developer and coordinate the entire construction process. They decide on construction methodsthe number of workers needed, hire contractors and setupschedules and do cost estimates
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Foresters Job DescriptionHealthy forests provide us with clean air and water, abundant wildlife, and natural beauty we can all enjoy. They also supply the paper and wood products we use everyday.
A forester is a professional trained in the art and science of managing this vital resource.
Foresters are outdoors a great deal. Typical duties include measuring trees and supervising timber harvests. Foresters look for signs of insects and disease
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Funeral Directors Job DescriptionFuneral Directors provide an important service for our society. Also called morticians and undertakers, they handle both the practical details of death, and the emotional needs of a family.
They help make a difficult time easier, from arranging for the removal of remains from a home or hospital, to helping a family decide what kind of service to have, writing obituary notices, working with clergy, notifying government agencies, and arranging burial or cremation
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Gaming Dealers Job DescriptionA casino dealer is anyone who works at a “table,” be it poker, blackjack, craps, baccarat, or roulette. Conducting these games can be both exciting and challenging.
Dealers must have a thorough mastery of a game and be able to explain the rules to casino patrons.
The ability to concentrate while working in a noisy and distracting environment — handling payouts, collecting losing bets, and making change — is crucial
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Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPeople have always wanted to look their best, and hairdressers and hairstylists—or “cosmetologists,” as they may be called—have helped them achieve that goal.
These professionals shampoo, cut, and style hair. But they may also color, straighten, or curl hair and give manicures, pedicures, and scalp and facial treatments.
All states require hairdressers and hairstylists to be licensed, but training and apprenticeship requirements vary widely, so be sure to check before entering a program
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Human Services Job DescriptionCaring for a small child…or helping a grieving family face the death of a loved one…it takes a special person to work in Human Services.
You have to be willing to make a connection--to take the emotional risks that come with getting involved with other peoples’ lives. In return, you’ll get the satisfaction of knowing you’re needed.
Some of the people you care for won’t be able to express their thanks
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Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall Job DescriptionDoes your house stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter? If so, thank the workers who installed the insulation – they did their job properly.
An insulation worker installs insulating material by cementing, stapling, wiring, taping or spraying it into buildings, around pipes, boilers and tanks.
The insulation can take the form of foam, loose-fill, fiberglass, cellulose, or rock wool and in cases where there is old insulation, workers must first remove it and then secure the new materials
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Interior Designers Job DescriptionHave you ever walked into a business office and admired the decor? Or visited a new restaurant and immediately felt like it was “your kind of place?” Interior designers are responsible for creating environments that people respond to on both an emotional and visual level.
Planning the space and furnishing the interiors of private homes, offices, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theaters, interior designers must work within a client’s tastes, needs and budget
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Landscape Architects Job DescriptionIt takes planning, engineering, government permits, money and teamwork to erect a building.
The same is true of parklands, golf courses, college campuses, public spaces, bike trails, and even the verge of an expressway. A landscape architect creates planned green space. To do so, he or she must possess imagination, artistic talent, practical skills and a thorough knowledge of ecology, plant and soil science
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Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses Job DescriptionFor a Licensed Practical Nurse, or L-P-N, helping people is the top priority. Overall, L-P-Ns provide physical and emotional care for the sick, injured and handicapped. Specific duties range from taking a patient’s blood pressure… to starting intravenous fluids… to assisting emergency room staff during operations.
Because a patient’s well-being depends greatly on quality care from L-P-Ns, responsibility and emotional strength are pre-requisites for the job
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Mail Clerks, Except Mail Machine Operators and Postal Service Job Description (more) The mailroom is a place to start in a company, and gain experience to advance if you stand out as a reliable, efficient, energetic employee.
It’s an entry-level job that provides an opportunity for people without much work experience.
Mail clerks handle mail that moves in and around a company, as well as the mail being sent out. So some mail clerks load mail into carts that they take around the building
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Manicurists and Pedicurists Job DescriptionA/V: NARRATOR (VO): Manicurists clip, cut, shape, polish, and paint the fingernails and toenails of their customers. But that's only the visible work. Manicurists are really in the self-esteem-building business. After all, when your nails look good, and your hair looks good, you feel good about yourself.
The job appears quite simple, but as any successful manicurist will confirm, there is much more to it than clipping, shaping, and polishing a customer's nails
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Marriage and Family Therapists Job DescriptionA growing segment of the mental health profession is Marriage and Family Therapy.
Therapists with a masters or doctoral degree in this category evaluate and treat mental and emotional disorders, health and behavioral problems, and relationship issues—all within the context of the family.
How does that work? In a variety of ways. Often, a patient seeing a therapist individually, is referred to a marriage and family therapist when it is determined that family dynamics and family life cycle issues such as the birth of a child, or the death of a family member are contributing to a problem
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Massage Therapists Job DescriptionIt can be the ultimate luxurious treat…or an essential element of recovery from an injury…either way, massage therapy is a legitimate part of the health care profession.
With the current movement toward natural health, wellness and prevention, there is renewed interest in massage therapy, which has its roots in ancient times.
Massage Therapists can work for themselves, physical therapy and rehabilitation practices, a health club, spa,—even for a sports team or dance troupe
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Meeting and Convention Planners Job DescriptionDo you love to plan events—from parties to conferences? If you have a head for details and the willingness to cope with a fair amount of stress, you might consider a career as a meeting and convention planner.
When companies and organizations get together, someone has to work out all the arrangements, from lining up speakers, to booking hotel rooms, caterers, making sure transportation, audio-visuals and entertainment are provided, even lining up sponsors and goody-bags for people to take home
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Mental Health Counselors Job DescriptionMental Health Counselors help to make life better for people with mental or emotional problems. They start by listening, to find out what’s wrong.
They’re trained to help people talk about a wide range of issues, from depression, to substance abuse and family tensions. In addition to advising their clients, Mental Health Counselors work closely with other specialists in their field.
For example, a patient might need to see a psychiatrist, who can prescribe medication
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Meter Readers, Utilities Job DescriptionHomes and businesses use utilities such as electric, gas and water. Consumption is tracked by meters. The people responsible for monitoring usage are Utilities Meter Readers.
While their main function is to record the amount used to ensure accurate billing, they also look for unusual fluctuations.
Meter readers inspect the units for damage, sending reports back to the home office to order repairs
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Municipal Clerks Job DescriptionWhether in big cities or small towns, local municipal governments are at the heart of every community.
The people who keep these government offices organized and functioning are Municipal Clerks.
To do this job well, you need to be able to multi-task, because municipal clerks wear many hats.
They do typical office work like contacting city officials, filing, typing, and data entry. They also maintain the official records for the municipality
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Optometrists Job Description Optometrists help people see better. They examine eyes to diagnose vision problems and eye diseases, and prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Optometrists are not physicians, but they do have extensive training. All states and the District of Columbia license optometrists, who are required to have a doctor of optometry degree from an accredited optometry school—which usually means a four year program after three years of undergraduate work
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Orthotists and Prosthetists Job DescriptionFairly simple-looking plastic or metal components can make a huge difference in a disabled person's life.
Designing and building these is the work of Orthotists and Prosthetists.
These experts use art and science to help restore the human body to as normal function as possible.
Orthotists make and fit braces and appliances that help to align or support limbs.
Prosthetists design and make artificial limbs
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Pharmacists Job DescriptionWhen a prescription is written for a drug or treatment, the next step for the patient is usually a visit to the pharmacist.
And while for most people, that often means going to the local drug store, hospitals and community clinics have pharmacies as well.
Typically, pharmacists spend most of the day standing at a counter, dispensing medication.
They may also compound the medication, though this is now a much smaller part of a pharmacist’s practice
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Pharmacy Aides Job DescriptionA pharmacy is literally a lifeline for the community it serves. This is where people come to obtain the medicine and equipment their health care professionals have prescribed.
While prescriptions must, by law, be filled by a licensed pharmacist, pharmacy aides keep the operation running smoothly.
Applicants for these positions usually need a high school degree—and a record clean of drug or substance abuse
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Photographers Job Description The subjects vary.
And so does the equipment.
Photography is a business in transition from the old ways, with 35-millimeter film developed in chemicals…
…To the new digital imaging that is more immediate, and can be manipulated with computer software.
Photography is an art form. But very few photographers who specialize in “fine art” make enough money to support themselves solely through their artwork
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Physical Therapist Aides Job DescriptionIf you enjoy helping the others, you may want to consider working as a Physical Therapist Aide. You don’t need formal training or a license to be hired.
Physical Therapist Aides assist patients receiving treatment by physical therapists. They help disabled patients move to treatment areas; they keep the areas organized and clean, and prepare them for each patient’s therapy.
Some Aides also do clerical work, such as ordering supplies and filling out medical insurance forms
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Pilots on Water Vessels Job DescriptionImagine driving a vehicle longer than 3 football fields. Then imagine trying to parallel park it.
Pilots of water vessels meet that kind of challenge everyday, guiding enormous commercial ships and tankers safely from sea, to busy port, and back again.
Unlike the captain and crew, who travel with their ship, the pilot is usually stationed at the port. When a ship needs to enter…or leave…the harbor, the pilot is sent aboard to safely navigate it through the local waterways
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Plumbers Job DescriptionThe term plumber comes from the Latin word for lead, the material used for joints and pipes for centuries. Modern plumbers no longer use lead, but they still spend much of their time assembling, installing, and repairing pipes for systems that carry everything from water and steam to oil and gas.
Plumbers can be found at construction sites and in residential and commercial buildings, where a great deal of the work involves cutting, bending, threading, and joining pipes and fittings
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Podiatrists Job DescriptionWe tend to take our feet for granted.
Day after day, the 26 bones in each foot do their duty. But sometimes those bones, along with the muscles, nerves, ligaments, blood vessels and skin that comprise our feet, need some attention.
That’s when it’s time to march into the office of a podiatrist.
Podiatrists are doctors who specialize in the care and treatment of feet.
They treat everything from bothersome corns and calluses, to fractures, and infections related to diabetes
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Postal Service Mail Carriers Job DescriptionPostal mail carriers
deliver mail to every business and residence in the country. Routes can cover just a few blocks in a city’s central business district, several miles in small towns or up to one hundred miles in remote, rural areas. Some carriers deliver the mail by foot, others use a vehicle – still others use a combination of the two.
Mail carriers may start work at the Post Office as early as 4 AM, organizing the mail for their routes
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Radiation Therapists Job DescriptionIn the treatment of patients with cancer, Radiation Therapists provide a crucial service.
They operate highly sophisticated equipment that uses beams of radiation to destroy tumors.
Also known as Radiation Therapy Technologists, they work closely with physicians and radiologists to plan the safest dose for each patient.
Therapists must be strong enough to move or lift patients in order to position them properly
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Real Estate Brokers Job DescriptionIt looks so simple: the house is for sale. Someone wants to buy it. But the negotiations, financing and closing of the deal can be very complex.
So most people selling real estate, and buying it, work with a broker. Real estate brokers have to be licensed by the state where they’re selling property. They take 30 to 90 hours of coursework about marketing property, zoning and tax laws, inspections, mortgages and other related matters
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Real Estate Sales Agents Job DescriptionBuying or selling a house is the biggest financial transaction in most people's lives, and real estate sales agents are intimately involved in every part of the process.
Some agents specialize in commercial and industrial property, but the vast majority work in the residential market, usually in association with a licensed real estate broker. The broker provides office space and support services while the agent sells the property
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Rehabilitation Counselors Job DescriptionLife presents challenges for all of us. But for some, those challenges are made even more difficult by disability.
Helping people overcome disabilities is the job of Rehabilitation Counselors. They provide practical help and emotional support for clients who are struggling with the effects of illness, disease, birth defects, accidents, or the stress of daily life, and guide them back to productive lives
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Respiratory Therapists Job DescriptionRespiratory therapists or “respiratory care practitioners” evaluate, treat, and care for patients with asthma, emphysema, and other breathing disorders.
As part of the evaluation process, therapists measure the lung capacity of patients and analyze the oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the blood. Sometimes, therapists may also take electrocardiograms and administer stress tests.
Treating patients may involve chest physiotherapy and other “airway clearance techniques” to remove mucus and other blockages
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Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers Job DescriptionProtecting property from fire requires a quick response from emergency services. But they can only respond when they know there’s a problem. Rather than wait for someone to call in an emergency, many people choose to install alarm systems that send out an alert, immediately.
Alarm systems are also used to protect property from theft—just seeing that there’s a security system in place, can make a criminal decide to choose another target
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Shampooers Job DescriptionA little luxury millions of people indulge in, every week, is having a shampoo in a barber shop, nursing home or beauty salon.
Providing this service is the work of a shampooer.
In small barber shops and beauty salons, the cosmetologist or barber might shampoo and treat their customers’ hair in preparation for styling. But in larger barber and beauty businesses, including those in hotels and department stores, this is a separate position, with entry level pay
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Skin Care Specialists Job DescriptionSkin care treatment is an increasingly important part of the beauty business.
Also called estheticians, skin care specialists cleanse and beautify skin by giving facials, full body treatments, head and neck massage, and some kinds of hair removal—such as waxing or electrolysis. Not all skin care specialists provide all of these services; it depends where they work and how they’re trained and licensed
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Speech-Language Pathologists Job DescriptionMost of us take being able to speak for granted. When speech problems arise, we need the professional help of Speech-Language Pathologists.
Sometimes called Speech Therapists, they diagnose and treat all kinds of speech disorders. For example, stuttering…hearing problems that affect speaking ability…speech difficulty caused by injury or illness, or mental problems that prevent understanding of words and sentences
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Surveyors Job DescriptionTheir work was essential when America was young. And it is vitally important today as well.
Surveyors and Mapping Scientists pinpoint the location of property and mark its outlines. They measure and map the surface of the earth. Their work serves to establish official boundaries, for land, air space, and waterways.
Surveyors determine how a parcel of land lies, and write descriptions for deeds, leases and other legal documents
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Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs Job Description Being a taxi driver or chauffer is a way to make money in between or in addition to other jobs. Some people make a career of it.
In most big cities taxis and hired cars and drivers transport tourists, business people, the elderly and people who otherwise can’t or don’t drive themselves or take public transportation. So there is always a need for drivers. But it can be stressful, physically and mentally
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Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Job DescriptionDrivers of Tractor-Trailer Trucks are people who really deliver. Just about everything we use…from cars to food to furniture…comes to us on big rigs.
Before the drivers leave the terminal or warehouse, they will get details about their assignments, called manifests. Then the drivers will load up and make sure their rigs are ready for the road. They’ll check fuel and oil levels, as well as brakes, windshield wipers and lights
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Veterinarians Job DescriptionVeterinarians are doctors who diagnose and treat illnesses in animals and protect the public from animal diseases. Most vets are in private practice and treat small pets, like dogs, cats and birds. Other vets treat large animals like horses, cows and pigs. Some veterinarians care for zoo, aquarium or laboratory animals.
Veterinarians also work for government agencies as Veterinary Inspectors
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Vocational Education Teachers Postsecondary Job DescriptionAs the demand for skilled labor increases, adult and vocational education teachers are needed to train entry-level job seekers and update the skills of experienced workers.
These teachers provide instruction for occupations that do not require a college degree, such as x-ray technicians, auto mechanics, welders and cosmetologists. They also provide remedial education for school dropouts, or help students to prepare for attending a 4-year degree program
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