Cement Mason Apprentice

SECTION IV. – CEMENT MASON JOB DESCRIPTION – O*NET/SOC CODE: 47-2051.00

          General Job 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.

     Essential Functions of the Job – Title 29 CFR 1630.2

          Those functions deemed to be ‘essential’ of a Cement Mason are listed below in italicized lettering.

          Tasks:

• 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 a 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.

Tools & Technology

          Tools used in this occupation:

• Batching plants or feeders – Center discharge floor hoppers; Collection hoppers; Round-gate concrete buckets; Slump buckets
• Cement retainers – Form liners; Form tubes; Steel forms; Wooden Forms
• Concrete spreaders – Double-beam screeders; Finishing screeders; Walk-behind laser screeds; Wet screeds
• Floats – Concrete floats; Rubber floats; Spreaders; Wood floats
• Power saws – Chain saws; concrete saws; Multipurpose saws; Ride-on saws
• Trowels – Brick jointers; Pointing trowels; Tuck-pointing trowels; Walk-behind and ride-on power trowels

          Technology used in this occupation:

• Accounting software – Sirius GT software
• Analytical or scientific software – ADAPT-Modeler; LogicSphere Firstmix software; Shilstone seeMIX
• Information retrieval or search software – ACT Contractors Forms software
• Project management software – BVH Greeg Concrete; Hard Dollar BID*BUILD; RESCOMM-M2004; Tradesmen’s Software

          Knowledge

• Building and Construction – Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, building, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Administration and Management – Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Public Safety and Security – Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
• Mechanical – Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

          Skills

• Coordination – Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Mathematics – Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Active Listening – Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical thinking – Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Active Learning – Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Complex Problem Solving – Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Equipment Selection – Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
• Time Management – Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
• Equipment Maintenance – Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Speaking – Talking to others to convey information effectively.

          Abilities

• Control Precision – The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
• Problem Sensitivity – The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness – The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
• Extend Flexibility – The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and /or legs.
• Manual Dexterity – The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
• Deductive Reasoning – The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Information Ordering – The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Speech Clarity – The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Depth Perception – The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
• Inductive Reasoning – The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (including finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

          Work Activities

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material – Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Getting Information – Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings – Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• 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.
• 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.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems – Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

          Work Context

• Outdoors, Exposed to Weather – Depending upon the assignment up to 100% of a normal workday may be outdoors and/or exposed to weather elements.
• Face-to-Face Discussions – These types of discussions can occur anytime throughout the workday while the frequency is dependent upon the complexity of the work assignment.
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets – The wearing of common safety equipment as listed above is commonplace at construction sites.
• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls – 100%
• Duration of Typical Work Week – Normal work week is 40 hours.
• Spend Time Standing – Outside of breaks or lunch periods Cement Masons’ could be required to stand eight (8) hours per day performing cement mason-related duties.
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results – The project completion rate is monitored daily by those members in supervisory positions and adjustments are made due to weather conditions, availability of supplies/materials, and size of workforce.
• Exposed to Hazardous Equipment – Exposure to hazardous equipment/materials is dependent upon the type of work assignment. Chipping and/or grinding of concrete creates silica dust which may lead to silicosis if the proper safety equipment is not donned.  Various chemicals used to acid-etch, stain or seal concrete may contain hazardous materials requiring the use of protective breathing masks and filters.
• Frequency of Decision Making – Until the member is promoted to a supervisory position the frequency of decision making is minimal.
• Telephone – Outside of breaks, lunch periods, or extreme emergencies usage of telephones is not authorized.

SECTION VI. – QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPRENTICESHIP – Title 29 CFR 29.5(b)(10)

          Applicants will meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Age

Applicants for apprenticeship shall not be less than seventeen (17) years of age as of the date of application.  (Applicant must provide evidence of minimum age respecting any applicable State Laws or regulations.)  All apprentices and their parents or legal guardians, if they are minors, shall enter into and sign a written Apprenticeship Agreement with the JATC.

1. Education

A high school diploma or GED equivalency is not required but recommended.  Applicants not possessing a high school diploma or GED will be provided a six-month (180 day maximum) timeframe to obtain a GED.  Failure to obtain a GED within that timeframe is grounds for dismissal from the program.  Applicants possessing a high school diploma or GED must provide an official transcript(s) for high school and post-high school education and training.  All GED records must be submitted if applicable.  Those high school diploma’s obtained from schools of learning outside the Unites States must be notarized to be the equivalent to United States High School standard requirements.

Applicants must submit a DD-214 to verify military training and/or experience if they are a veteran and wish to receive consideration for such training/experience.

1. Physical Capacity

Applicants will be physically capable of performing the essential functions of the apprenticeship program, with or without a reasonable accommodation, and without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or others. 

Applicants will be screened for the current illegal use of drugs upon acceptance into the program and prior to being employed.  The cost of the examination and/or drug screening is the responsibility of the JATC.

1. Language

At the time of selection, applicants should have an understanding and ability in reading, writing, and communicating in the English language as would enable the apprentice to perform the tasks of the Cement Mason in a safe manner and comprehend the subject matter taught in related instruction.  Those applicants chosen who do not have basic understanding of English in reading, writing, and communication must successfully complete English as a Second Language course provided by College of Southern Nevada within one year of acceptance into the apprenticeship program.

1. Eligibility To Work In The United States

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States and have sufficient legal documentation to complete an I-9 form.  On your application form, applicants must answer the question: Do you understand that if you are not legally authorized to work in the United States that you are not eligible for the Apprenticeship Program and will be terminated from the Program?  Yes or No  Those apprentices who are later returned to the JATC by reason of illegal documentation will be cancelled from the program immediately.  Reinstatement into the apprenticeship program will only occur upon presentation of valid documentation and the needs of the program at the time of reviewing all necessary documents.