Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers Onet SOC Code 47-2051.00 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. Related Clusters:

Career Summary:

• 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.

• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

• To qualify for apprenticeship training, an applicant must have completed high school or the equivalent (G.E.D.) and pass an aptitude test. For general information about training for cement masons, concrete finishers, segmental pavers, and terrazzo workers, contact the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers. Generally, the program consists of three years on-the-job training and classroom instruction. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Trade and Industrial Education Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online.

• 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.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• 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.

• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

• Moral Values - Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Ability Utilization - Workers on this job make use of their individual abilities.
• Compensation - Workers on this job are paid well in comparison with other workers.
• Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
• Relationships-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
• Achievement-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
• Achievement - Workers on this job get a feeling of accomplishment.
• Co-workers - Workers on this job have co-workers who are easy to get along with.
• Support-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Wage and salary data provided by:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website