Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Jacking Technician

🎯 Role Definition

A Jacking Technician is a skilled field technician who plans, sets up, operates, inspects, and troubleshoots hydraulic and mechanical jacking systems for heavy lifting, launching, and precise structural movements. This role is central to bridge launches, skid and slide operations, modular lifting, shaft and platform installations, vessel transfers, and any project requiring synchronized multi-point jacking. The Jacking Technician ensures safe load control, accurate synchronization, regulatory compliance (OSHA/ASME), and clear communication with engineers, riggers, and site leadership.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Rigger / Rigging Technician
Heavy Equipment Operator (excavator/crane operator)
Maintenance Technician / Mechanical Technician

Advancement To:

Lead Jacking Technician / Senior Jacking Technician
Jacking Supervisor / Foreman
Field Engineer / Project Superintendent
Lifting & Rigging Manager or Heavy Lifting Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Crane Operator / Crane Supervisor
Rigging Supervisor / Lifting Planner
Hydraulic Systems Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead setup and layout of hydraulic jacking systems including strand jacks, synchronized hydraulic cylinders, multi-point jacking frames, temporary supports, jacking pads, and reaction structures, ensuring alignment with engineering drawings and lift plans.
Assemble, connect, pressure-test, and calibrate hydraulic pumping units, control manifolds, hoses, couplings, and remote synchronization systems prior to dynamic lifts to verify system integrity and performance.
Operate strand jacks, hydraulic gantries, modular skidding systems or synchronized cylinder banks during lifts and translations, executing controlled, incremental movements while monitoring system parameters and load distribution.
Execute pre-lift inspections and commissioning checks: verify jack serial numbers, test seals and cylinders, check for hydraulic fluid contamination, confirm gauge calibration, and document findings in inspection logs.
Implement synchronized jacking sequences using control software or manual synchronization methods, ensuring precise displacement, pitch, and level tolerances specified by engineers and project plans.
Monitor hydraulic pressures, load cells, encoder positions, and deflection readings in real time during lifts; interpret instrumentation data to make on-the-spot adjustments while keeping the lift within safe operating envelopes.
Perform load transfer procedures, cutover sequences, and load-sharing operations between temporary supports, jacks, and permanent structures following engineered step-by-step plans.
Troubleshoot hydraulic, mechanical, and control-system faults under pressure: isolate leaks, replace hoses and seals, bleed air from systems, reset control modules, and coordinate rapid repairs to minimize downtime while maintaining safety.
Rig and install slings, shackles, spreader beams, turnbuckles, and connection hardware required to interface jacking systems with lifted modules while ensuring proper sling angles, load paths, and rated lifting capacities.
Conduct daily tool-box talks, pre-task safety briefings, and pre-lift meetings with riggers, crane operators, engineers, and site supervisors to review hazards, responsibilities, and emergency procedures.
Maintain detailed daily logs and lift records documenting pressures, strokes, pad loads, load cell readouts, displacement readings, personnel present, and environmental conditions for QA/QC and client records.
Perform scheduled maintenance and preventive service on hydraulic jacks, pumps, accumulators, valves, control units, and hoses including lubrication, filter changes, seal replacement, and system flushing.
Implement and enforce lockout/tagout, fall protection, and confined-space procedures as required when working on or under raised structures; ensure all crew members wear required PPE and remain clear of pinch, crush, and suspension zones.
Validate and certify lifting equipment and load monitoring instrumentation in coordination with QA inspectors or third-party inspectors; file calibration certificates and equipment certifications in compliance with client and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate logistics for jacking equipment: stage modules, position reaction beams, trailer and skid placement, hose runs, and power/hydraulic source connections to optimize setup time and site safety.
Provide on-site guidance to subcontractors and less-experienced technicians on correct jacking techniques, rigging best practices, and procedural adherence to minimize risk and ensure consistent execution.
Manage and control hydraulic fluid inventory, spare parts, and critical consumables; order replacement seals, hoses, gauges, and fasteners and track consumption against project budgets.
Participate in lift plan development and pre-job risk assessments, offering practical input on sequencing, equipment selection, reaction design, and contingency plans based on field experience.
Conduct post-lift debriefs and failure-mode analyses when deviations occur; recommend corrective actions, design changes, or additional controls to prevent recurrence.
Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations including OSHA, ASME B30 series, API (where applicable), and client-specific procedural and environmental requirements during all phases of jacking operations.
Supervise and mentor junior technicians, providing hands-on coaching in hydraulic troubleshooting, load monitoring interpretation, and safe rigging practices to build team capability and reduce errors.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives by documenting lessons learned, proposing equipment upgrades, improving setup procedures, and contributing to a library of standard operating procedures for repetitive lifts.
Respond to emergency or recovery operations, including rapid rigging, temporary supports, and controlled lowering/lifting of stuck or damaged loads, while coordinating with emergency response teams and engineers.
Operate auxiliary equipment as needed—generators, compressors, cranes, forklifts—and assist in multi-discipline tasks such as temporary shoring removal, skid boarding, and heavy transport interfacing.

Secondary Functions

Support project engineering teams by providing field data and practical constraints for finalizing lift drawings and sequences.
Contribute to the development and updating of jacking equipment checklists, SOPs, and training materials to improve field execution and safety culture.
Assist with vendor coordination for specialized equipment rentals, including vendor setup verification and acceptance testing prior to execution.
Participate in pre-qualification and tendering activities by providing equipment lists, man-hour estimates, and scope clarifications relevant to jacking operations.
Collect and archive digital photos, measurement logs, and instrumentation outputs for client reports and regulatory audits.
Participate in regular safety audits and incident investigations, recommending procedural and equipment changes to prevent future incidents.
Provide mentorship and formal training sessions to cross-train rigging, crane, and maintenance teams on hydraulic jacking best practices and safety considerations.
Support procurement with technical specifications and acceptance criteria for jacks, pumps, controls, and load-monitoring equipment.
Travel to project sites and perform extended field assignments with variable environmental and access conditions, adapting procedures to site-specific constraints.
Maintain clear communication with project management on schedule impacts, equipment failures, and resource needs to facilitate timely remediation and decision-making.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified operation and hands-on experience with hydraulic jacking systems, including strand jacks, synchronized cylinder banks, hydraulic gantries, and modular gantry systems.
Proficiency with hydraulic pumping units, accumulators, control valves, manifolds, and hydraulic troubleshooting (seal replacement, hose repair, pressure testing).
Ability to set up and operate centralized synchronization/control systems, including encoder and load-cell based feedback loops and manual synchronization techniques.
Strong rigging skills: selection and inspection of slings, shackles, synthetic/steel slings, spreader bars, and load path design to match lift plans and SWL requirements.
Familiarity with instrumentation and data acquisition: load cells, pressure transducers, linear position sensors, and interpretation of real-time telemetry for safe lifts.
Competence reading and interpreting engineering lift plans, structural drawings, and jacking sequences; ability to translate drawings into field setup.
Hands-on mechanical skills for maintenance of jacks and pumps: seal replacement, bearing checks, lubrication, and preventive maintenance execution.
Knowledge of regulatory standards and industry codes (OSHA, ASME BTH/BTH-1, ASME PTC, and client-specific protocols) and ability to apply them in field operations.
Experience with pneumatic/hydraulic control schematics, basic electrical connections for control units, and troubleshooting PLC-based jacking controllers.
Ability to perform and document pre-lift tests, load tests, and calibration procedures; maintain accurate certification records and test reports.
Competency operating site equipment such as forklifts, cranes (basic signaling), and mobile generators required to support jacking operations.
Familiarity with lifting planning software or spreadsheets for stroke charts, load distribution calculations, and sequencing is a plus.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and commitment to safety-first execution under physically demanding and high-risk conditions.
Clear, concise communication skills for coordinating with engineers, riggers, and site leadership; ability to deliver and receive direction in noisy, fast-paced environments.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to make rapid, sound decisions during lift operations and equipment failures.
Attention to detail and thorough documentation habits for compliance, QA/QC, and continuous improvement activities.
Team leadership and mentoring ability to develop junior technicians and maintain disciplined, safety-focused crews.
Adaptability and resilience to travel, variable schedules, and challenging outdoor or confined-space work environments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; mandatory mechanical aptitude and hands-on technical training.

Preferred Education:

Technical diploma or certificate in Heavy Equipment Maintenance, Hydraulic Systems, Mechanical Technology, Rigging, or Industrial Maintenance.
Certified Rigger/Signalperson, Hydraulic Technician certification, or equivalent manufacturer training for strand jacks and pump units.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Mechanical Engineering Technology
Industrial Maintenance / Hydraulics
Construction Technology / Civil Construction
Marine or Offshore Mechanical Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–8 years of progressive field experience in jacking, rigging, heavy lifting, or hydraulic systems operation.

Preferred:

5+ years of direct jack operation and lift execution experience on bridge launches, modular heavy lifts, shipyard transfers, or industrial plant relocations.
Prior experience in supervisory or lead technician roles, documented successful lifts, and familiarity with complex synchronized multi-point jacking projects.