Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jack Operator

🎯 Role Definition

A Jack Operator is an experienced lifting and rigging specialist responsible for safely operating hydraulic and mechanical jacking systems to lift, position, and lower heavy loads during construction, marine, industrial, or installation projects. This role requires close coordination with rigging crews, engineers, and crane operators, strict adherence to lifting plans and safety procedures, and routine inspection and maintenance of jack systems. The ideal candidate demonstrates mechanical aptitude, strong situational awareness, and documented experience with strand jacks, hydraulic jacks, load monitoring, and Permit-to-Work systems.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Rigger / Welder / General Laborer with rigging experience
Crane Operator Trainee or Lift Crew Member
Hydraulic Technician or Maintenance Mechanic

Advancement To:

Senior Jack Operator / Lead Jackman
Lifting Supervisor / Rigging Supervisor
Project Superintendent or Installation Manager
Offshore Lifting Specialist / L4 Lifting Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Crane Operator (mobile or tower)
Rigging Foreman
Hydraulic Technician / Maintenance Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Operate hydraulic and mechanical jacking systems (strand jacks, hydraulic gantry jacks, bottle jacks and other specialized jacks) to lift, shift, align and set heavy structural components in accordance with engineered lift plans, ensuring movements are smooth, controlled, and within rated capacities.
Set up jacking assemblies and associated rigging (saddles, wire rope, shackles, spreader beams, load cells) following the site-specific rigging plan and manufacturer recommendations, and verify correct configuration before any load is applied.
Conduct pre-operation inspections on all jacks, hoses, fittings, pumps, gauges, and control systems; identify defects, tag out damaged equipment, and coordinate repairs with maintenance to prevent unsafe operations.
Monitor load behavior continuously during lifts using load cells, pressure gauges and instrumentation; make real-time adjustments to hydraulic controls to maintain load balance and follow the lift director’s instructions.
Read and interpret lifting plans, technical drawings, load charts, and jacking sequences provided by engineers; confirm sequence steps, transfer of loads and final set positions prior to operation.
Execute multi-point jacking operations synchronized across multiple jacks (synchronization of stroke and pressure) to maintain structural integrity and avoid overstress on the load.
Verify that jacking loads remain within rated capacities and confirm safety factors and working load limits are applied correctly to all rigging components.
Perform lockout/tagout (LOTO), isolation, and Permit-to-Work procedures for jacking systems during setup, maintenance and emergency response operations to ensure contractor and site safety compliance.
Communicate with rigging crew, signalers and crane operators via radio and hand signaling to coordinate simultaneous lifts and transfers, ensuring safe clearances and avoidance of pinch points.
Maintain accurate lift logs and jacking records including pressure readings, stroke counts, load values, maintenance actions, and handover notes for shift change and quality audits.
Assist engineers during lift rehearsals and pre-lift meetings by providing practical feedback on feasible jacking sequences and suggesting mitigations for potential mechanical or access issues.
Carry out regular preventative maintenance tasks on jacking units — fluid checks, filter changes, hose inspections and replacement — and document maintenance in accordance with the company’s CMMS.
Troubleshoot hydraulic and control system faults, identify root causes (leaks, pressure loss, pump failures), and execute temporary field repairs or escalate for certified hydraulic repair as required.
Ensure proper storage, transport and handling of jacking equipment, including safe rigging and securing of jacks and accessories for transit between sites or aboard vessels.
Enforce safety standards on-site by ensuring jacking zones are barricaded, exclusion zones communicated to personnel, and personal protective equipment (PPE) is used by all crew members.
Participate in incident investigations and near-miss reviews related to jacking or lifting operations, provide factual logs and input to improve procedures and prevent recurrence.
Execute precision jacking for alignment and fit-up operations, using feeler gauges, laser alignment tools or dial indicators as required by mechanical and structural teams.
Perform handover and shift-change briefings that include the current state of jacking operations, outstanding issues, and recommended actions to the incoming jack operator or supervisor.
Assist in training and mentoring junior jack operators, riggers and new crew members on safe jacking practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and equipment-specific operation.
Maintain compliance with regulatory and company-specific standards including OSHA, ISO, API or industry-specific lifting codes and document proof of inspections and testing as required.
Coordinate with subcontractors such as crane companies, surveyors and engineering teams to align jacking schedules with lifting/crane lifts, sea-fastening or transport windows.
Execute emergency lowering and dump procedures safely when required by site emergency response plans, minimizing risk to personnel and equipment.

Secondary Functions

Support the development and continuous improvement of jacking SOPs, checklists and lift-plan templates, incorporating lessons learned and best practices from operations.
Participate in toolbox talks, safety stand-downs and on-the-job training sessions to promote a proactive safety culture across the lifting gang and site personnel.
Contribute to equipment procurement evaluations by providing operational feedback on jack performance, spare part needs and lifecycle considerations.
Assist the planning team with input on manning, equipment requirements and lift duration estimates to improve project scheduling and risk assessments.
Provide on-site technical input during engineering change requests (ECRs) that affect lifting methods, rigging configurations or access constraints.
Maintain inventory control of jack spares, hydraulic fittings, seals and standard rigging consumables to ensure readiness for planned and unplanned operations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient operation of hydraulic jacking systems including strand jacks, hydraulic gantry jacks, and bottle/power jacks.
Load monitoring and balancing using load cells, pressure gauges and instrumentation for synchronized multi-point jacking.
Hands-on rigging skills: slinging, shackling, splicing, use of spreader beams, turnbuckles, and proper selection of rigging hardware.
Ability to read and interpret lift plans, engineering drawings, load charts and jacking sequences accurately.
Basic hydraulic system diagnostics and troubleshooting: pump, valve, hose and cylinder fault identification and temporary repair methods.
Experience with LOTO (Lockout/Tagout), Permit-to-Work systems, confined space entry procedures (where applicable) and other site safety controls.
Skilled in maintaining jacking equipment: fluid maintenance, filter changes, visual inspection and basic mechanical replacement.
Familiarity with relevant industry codes and standards (OSHA, API, ISO, NR-13, or local equivalents) and application to lifting operations.
Proficient in recording and maintaining lift logs, jacking records, and CMMS entries for equipment maintenance history.
Competence with communication tools: two-way radio operation, standard hand signals and coordination protocols with crane and rigging teams.
Use of precision alignment tools: laser levels, dial indicators, feeler gauges and knowledge of alignment validation procedures.
Basic understanding of structural behavior under load, and the ability to identify potential overstress or deformation during lifts.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and a safety-first mindset; ability to stop work when conditions are unsafe.
Clear and decisive communication, both verbal and written, for handovers, reporting and coordination with multi-disciplinary teams.
Attention to detail and meticulous record-keeping to preserve traceability of jacking operations and maintenance.
Team player with the ability to lead small crews during complex lifts and to mentor junior personnel.
Problem-solving and adaptability to manage changing site conditions and equipment issues without compromising safety.
Time management and planning capability to sequence setups and lifts efficiently within project timelines.
Resilience and stress tolerance for operations that demand high concentration under pressure.
Customer-focused mindset for contractor or client-facing projects, balancing operational needs with client expectations.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; proven vocational background in heavy lifting, rigging, or mechanical trades.

Preferred Education:

Technical certificate or diploma in rigging, mechanical technology, or hydraulic systems.
Formal rigging or lifting training (NCCER rigging, slinger-signaller accreditation, or equivalent).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mechanical Technology / Heavy Equipment Maintenance
Rigging & Lifting Technology
Hydraulics and Fluid Power Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–7 years of direct experience operating jacks and performing heavy lifting/r rigging in construction, industrial, marine, or energy sectors.

Preferred:

5+ years of progressively responsible jack operation experience including multi-point synchronized jacking and documented project experience.
Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, NCCER Rigging, Certified Rigger/Signalperson, API lifting endorsements, or site-specific qualifications (BOSIET, H2S, etc.) where applicable.