A professional who controls railroad or highway drawbridge over waterways to permit passage of vessels. Respnsibilities include:

• Observes approaching vessels and listens for whistle signal from vessel indicating desire to pass.
• Moves levers that activate traffic signals and alarms, lower gates to halt street traffic, or activate interlocking railroad signals to warn oncoming railroad trains.
• Starts motors of drawbridge and moves levers to raise or turn drawbridge, giving vessels passage.
• Signals vessels to pass through opening.
• Inspects drawbridge and auxiliary equipment.
• Cleans, oils, and greases machinery.
• Writes and submits maintenance work requisitions.
• Prepares reports of accidents occurring on or to bridge.
• Records name of vessels passing and number of trains or vehicles crossing bridge.
• May relay messages to vessels in waterway.
• May make repairs and adjustments to drawbridge.
• May be required to hold Railway Signalman Certificate or similar license.