Skills
Flagger Skills & Tools
The technical skills, people skills and tools employers look for in flaggers, and how to build and show them.
What skills do flaggers need?
Flaggers need technical skills such as stop/slow paddle signaling, work zone setup awareness, and radio communication, plus people skills like alertness and calm communication. They also use tools such as STOP/SLOW paddles and High-visibility safety apparel.
Technical (hard) skills
- STOP/SLOW paddle signaling
- Work zone setup awareness
- Radio communication
- Traffic control plan reading
- Pedestrian guidance
- Emergency escape procedures
People (soft) skills
- Alertness
- Calm communication
- Patience
- Judgment
Tools, equipment and technology
- STOP/SLOW paddles
- High-visibility safety apparel
- Two-way radios
- Advance warning signs and cones
- Flashlights and lighted paddles for night work
- Automated flagger assistance devices (AFADs)
Skills in action: common tasks
These step-by-step guides show how flaggers put their skills to work:
- How to stop traffic with a STOP/SLOW paddle
- How to release traffic through the work zone
- How to set up a safe flagger station
How to show these skills on a resume
- Lead your skills section with the technical skills from the job posting, for example, “STOP/SLOW paddle signaling” and “Work zone setup awareness.”
- Prove soft skills with results: instead of listing “alertness,” describe a situation where you used it.
- List credentials such as State flagger certification card near the top, with the issuing organization and date.
- Use the employer’s vocabulary. Our flagger glossary covers the terms hiring managers expect.
How to build these skills
Formal training, supervised practice and certification are the most direct routes. Our Flagger training introduces each of these skills with plain-language lessons, procedures and a final knowledge check: a strong foundation before hands-on training or your first day.