Photo by Merry Farnum From installing picture windows to escorting a Christmas tree into Monument Square, James J. Harkins IV enjoys a great deal of variety on the job.

What does your job entail?

My company provides crane and rigging services. We handle just about everything from construction materials, machinery, processing equipment, marine and military hardware, to artwork, and historic items. Every day it's something new to be rigged, lifted and set in many different places.

How did you get started?

After high school I was accepted into the ironworkers three-year apprenticeship program. I traveled all over the country working on projects like nuclear, fossil fuel and biomass powerhouse projects. Others included offshore oil industry, bridge and pulp and paper industry. Some of these projects required placement equipment weighing upwards of 450 tons, using the largest construction cranes in the industry.

What training have you had?

Three-year ironworker apprenticeship, mobile crane inspector, management liability, Merchant Marine masters license, 27 years experience as an operator, with more than 20,000 hours of safe crane operation.

What skills are essential to your job?

There is an old saying in the crane business. If you want to become a good operator, first you must understand how a crane operates. Today's cranes are very complex machines. A thorough knowledge of computer-controlled hydraulics, electrical systems, planetary reduction gears, frictions, and diesel engines is necessary.

What is a typical day on the job like?

At the shop at 5 a.m. to be in town for an early pick to a building roof from a busy street. Fold up, on the road by 6:30 a.m. before traffic starts to flow. At 8 set up at a construction site, lift construction materials all day; 4 p.m., fold up, drive across town, and piece down a large tree for an arborist company; 5:30 p.m., fold up and head for the shop.

What's your favorite part of the job?

I enjoy the variety of the work. One day we might be lifting picture windows at a new oceanfront home, changing out an engine in a military spy plane, or setting the city Christmas tree in Monument Square. There is always something different when the phone rings.

What's the greatest challenge?

Being able to safely and efficiently meet the rigging and lifting needs of a wide variety of customers with little or no notice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

What kind of person succeeds in the job?

Working over live power lines, or lifting with a crane at or near its maximum capacity, requires focus, confidence and experience.

What advice would you offer someone interested in a career in this field?

The crane business is very difficult to get into. No one will hire you without any experience, so how do you get experience? If you are interested in a career in the crane and rigging field, at first don't be too choosey.

Take any job you can to get close to a crane. Talk to the operator every chance you get, ask a lot of questions, and let your supervisor know that you want to work with and around the crane whenever possible. Also, go online -- there are some great crane training schools around the country.

How's the job market in Maine? Are there opportunities in your field?

Commercial construction, capital improvements in manufacturing, and strong growth in new construction for residential housing is presently fueling the local crane and rigging industry.

Produced by the Marketing Department of the Maine Sunday Telegram.