Career Glossary: Terms Starting With O

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OAC meeting Construction Manager

Owner-architect-contractor meeting. More construction manager terms

Oath Court Clerk

A sworn promise. More court clerk terms

OBD-II Auto Technician

On-board diagnostics standard on U.S. vehicles since 1996. More automotive service technician terms

Obituary Funeral Director

A notice of death. More funeral director terms

Objection Account Executive

A buyer’s concern. More account executive terms

Objective function Operations Research Analyst

What to maximize or minimize. More operations research analyst terms

Observation Preschool Teacher

Watching and recording children’s development. More preschool teacher terms

Observation level Psychiatric Aide

How closely a patient is watched. More psychiatric aide terms

Observe and report Security Guard

The core security approach: watch, document and notify authorities. More security guard terms

OCC Financial Examiner

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. More financial examiner terms

Occlusal Dental Assistant

The chewing surface of back teeth. More dental assistant terms

Occlusion Dental Lab Tech

Bite. More dental lab technician terms

Occlusion Dentist

How teeth meet. More dentist terms

Occlusion Prosthodontist

How teeth meet. More prosthodontist terms

Occupancy Front Desk Agent

Percentage of rooms filled. More hotel front desk agent terms

Occupancy classification Building Inspector

The code category describing how a building is used. More construction and building inspector terms

Occupancy classification Fire Inspector

How a building is used, which determines code requirements. More fire inspector terms

Occupancy rate Property Manager

The percentage of units leased. More property manager terms

Occupancy rate Hotel Manager

Percentage of rooms sold. More hotel manager terms

Occupant load Fire Inspector

The maximum number of people allowed in a space. More fire inspector terms

Occupation OT

Any meaningful activity. More occupational therapist terms

Oceanography Earth Sciences Professor

Study of oceans. More earth sciences professor terms

OCR Data Entry Clerk

Optical character recognition. More data entry clerk terms

OCT Ophthalmic Tech

Retinal imaging. More ophthalmic technician terms

OCT Ophthalmologist

Retinal imaging. More ophthalmologist terms

OCT Optometrist

Optical coherence tomography. More optometrist terms

Octane Gas Station Attendant

Fuel rating. More gas station attendant terms

Odds Sportsbook Writer

Payout ratio. More sportsbook writer terms

Odds ratio Epidemiologist

Odds comparison. More epidemiologist terms

Odorant Gas Compressor Operator

Smell added to gas. More gas compressor operator terms

Odorant Gas Plant Operator

Chemical added so gas leaks can be smelled. More gas plant operator terms

OEE Maintenance Technician

Overall equipment effectiveness: availability × performance × quality. More industrial maintenance technician terms

OEE Industrial Production Manager

Overall equipment effectiveness. More industrial production manager terms

OEE Packaging Machine Operator

Overall equipment effectiveness. More packaging machine operator terms

OEE Production Supervisor

Overall equipment effectiveness: availability, performance and quality combined. More production supervisor terms

OEE Mechatronics Technician

Overall equipment effectiveness. More mechatronics technician terms

OEM Parts Salesperson

Original equipment manufacturer parts. More parts salesperson terms

OEM glass Auto Glass Technician

Original equipment glass. More auto glass technician terms

OEM parts Auto Damage Appraiser

Original manufacturer parts. More auto damage appraiser terms

OEM repair procedures Auto Body Tech

The manufacturer’s official repair instructions. More auto body technician terms

Off the record Journalist

Information not for publication. More journalist terms

Off the record PR Specialist

Information not for publication. More public relations specialist terms

Off-cycle payroll Payroll Clerk

Extra payroll run. More payroll clerk terms

Off-label Technical Sales Rep

Use not approved by regulators; promotion is prohibited. More technical sales representative terms

Off-loading Podiatrist

Reducing pressure on a wound. More podiatrist terms

Off-site Executive Assistant

A meeting held away from the office. More executive assistant terms

Off-spec Chemical Equipment Operator

Out of specification. More chemical equipment operator terms

Offbearer Machine Feeder

Removes products. More machine feeder terms

Offboarding HR Specialist

The process when an employee leaves the organization. More human resources specialist terms

Offer in compromise Tax Examiner

Settling tax for less. More tax examiner terms

Offer letter HR Assistant

Job offer document. More HR assistant terms

Office hours Anthropology Professor

Time set aside for students. More anthropology professor terms

Office hours Business Professor

Time for students. More business professor terms

Office hours Chemistry Professor

Time set aside for students. More chemistry professor terms

Office hours Cultural Studies Professor

Time set aside for students. More cultural studies professor terms

Office hours Economics Professor

Time set aside for students. More economics professor terms

Office hours Environmental Science Professor

Time set aside for students. More environmental science professor terms

Office hours Geography Professor

Time set aside for students. More geography professor terms

Office hours Graduate Teaching Assistant

Time for students. More graduate teaching assistant terms

Office hours Math Professor

Student help time. More math professor terms

Office hours Physics Professor

Time set aside for students. More physics professor terms

Office hours Political Science Professor

Time set aside for students. More political science professor terms

Office hours Psychology Professor

Time set aside for students. More psychology professor terms

Office policy Administrative Services Manager

Rules for the workplace. More administrative services manager terms

Offset Multiple Machine Tool Operator

Adjustment to tool position. More multiple machine tool operator terms

Offset Printing Press Operator

Ink transferred via blanket. More printing press operator terms

Offset Surveying Technician

A measured distance from a point. More surveying technician terms

Offsite storage File Clerk

Records kept elsewhere. More file clerk terms

Ohm Car Electronics Installer

Resistance unit. More car electronics installer terms

Ohm’s law Electrician

Voltage equals current times resistance (V = I × R). More electrician terms

Ohm’s law Electronics Technician

Voltage equals current times resistance. More electronics technician terms

Ohm’s law Electrical Engineer

Voltage equals current times resistance. More electrical engineer terms

Oil change Gas Station Attendant

Replacing engine oil. More gas station attendant terms

Oil filtration Food Cooking Machine Operator

Cleaning fry oil. More food cooking machine operator terms

Oil sample Machinery Maintenance Worker

Oil tested for wear. More machinery maintenance worker terms

Oil-based finish Floor Sander

Amber finish. More floor sander terms

Oiler Ship Engineer

Engine crew member. More ship engineer terms

OMFS Oral Surgeon

Oral and maxillofacial surgery. More oral and maxillofacial surgeon terms

Omnichannel Customer Service Rep

Supporting customers across phone, chat, email and social media. More customer service representative terms

Omnichannel Retail Sales Associate

Selling across stores and online. More retail sales associate terms

On air Broadcast Announcer

Broadcasting live. More broadcast announcer terms

On air Broadcast Technician

Broadcasting live. More broadcast technician terms

On center Carpenter Helper

Spacing between framing. More carpenter helper terms

On center (OC) Carpenter

The spacing between the centers of framing members, such as 16 inches OC. More carpenter terms

On the fly Line Cook

Needed immediately. More line cook terms

On the fly Short-Order Cook

Rush order. More short-order cook terms

On the record Journalist

Information that can be published with a name. More journalist terms

On the rocks Bartender

Served over ice. More bartender terms

On-call schedule Switchboard Operator

Who’s available after hours. More switchboard operator terms

On-time delivery Production Planner

Orders shipped on time. More production planner terms

On-time delivery Logistics Manager

Shipments arriving on time. More logistics manager terms

On-time performance Transit Bus Driver

How closely buses keep to schedule. More transit bus driver terms

Onboarding HR Assistant

New hire process. More HR assistant terms

Onboarding Human Resources Manager

Bringing new hires in. More human resources manager terms

Onboarding HR Specialist

The process of integrating a new hire into the organization. More human resources specialist terms

Onboarding Office Manager

Bringing new employees into the organization. More office manager terms

Onboarding Training and Development Manager

New hire training. More training and development manager terms

Onboarding Corporate Trainer

Training new employees. More corporate trainer terms

One-line diagram Substation Technician

A simplified system drawing. More substation technician terms

One-line diagram Electrical Drafter

Simplified power diagram. More electrical drafter terms

One-line diagram Electrical Engineer

A simplified power diagram. More electrical engineer terms

One-way rental Rental Agent

Returning to a different location. More rental agent terms

Online class Self-Enrichment Teacher

Virtual instruction. More self-enrichment teacher terms

ONT Telecom Technician

Optical network terminal at the customer site. More telecommunications technician terms

Onychomycosis Podiatrist

Toenail fungus. More podiatrist terms

OOS Chemist

Out of specification. More chemist terms

Op-ed PR Specialist

An opinion article. More public relations specialist terms

OPAC Librarian

Online public access catalog. More librarian terms

Open access Library Science Professor

Free research access. More library science professor terms

Open die Forging Machine Operator

Simple flat dies. More forging machine operator terms

Open enrollment Compensation and Benefits Manager

Benefits sign-up period. More compensation and benefits manager terms

Open enrollment HR Assistant

Benefits sign-up. More HR assistant terms

Open enrollment HR Specialist

The annual period when employees choose benefits. More human resources specialist terms

Open time Adhesive Machine Operator

Time before glue sets. More adhesive machine operator terms

Open-circuit voltage (Voc) Solar Panel Installer

The maximum voltage of a module or string with no load. More solar panel installer terms

Open-to-buy Retail Store Manager

Budget for new inventory. More retail store manager terms

Opener Garage Door Technician

Motor unit. More garage door technician terms

Opener rail Garage Door Technician

Track the opener trolley rides on. More garage door technician terms

Opening checklist Amusement Park Attendant

Daily ride check. More amusement park attendant terms

Opening checklist Food Service Supervisor

Tasks to open the store. More food service supervisor terms

Opening log Bridge Tender

Record of openings. More bridge tender terms

Operating budget Budget Analyst

Day-to-day spending plan. More budget analyst terms

Operating budget General and Operations Manager

Plan for spending. More general and operations manager terms

Operating budget Office Manager

Planned spending for daily operations. More office manager terms

Operating engineer Heavy Equipment Operator

The traditional trade name for heavy equipment operators. More heavy equipment operator terms

Operational risk Financial Risk Specialist

Loss from failed processes. More financial risk specialist terms

Operative report Medical Transcriptionist

Surgery report. More medical transcriptionist terms

Operator qualification Gas Compressor Operator

Federal training rule. More gas compressor operator terms

Operator Qualification Gas Plant Operator

Pipeline worker certification. More gas plant operator terms

Operator-assisted call Telephone Operator

Call placed with help. More telephone operator terms

OPI Interpreter

Over-the-phone interpreting. More interpreter terms

OPI Foreign Language Professor

Oral proficiency interview. More foreign language professor terms

Opinion Judicial Law Clerk

Court’s written decision. More judicial law clerk terms

Opportunity cost Economics Professor

What you give up. More economics professor terms

OPQRST EMT

Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Time: used to assess pain. More emergency medical technician terms

Opt-out state CRNA

A state allowing CRNAs to practice without physician supervision for Medicare. More nurse anesthetist terms

Optical center Optical Lab Tech

Focus point. More ophthalmic lab technician terms

Optical center Optician

Lens’s optical focus point. More optician terms

Optics Physicist

Physics of light. More physicist terms

Optimization Operations Research Analyst

Finding the best solution. More operations research analyst terms

Optimization Mathematician

Finding the best solution. More mathematician terms

Optimizer Sawmill Operator

Computer that plans cuts. More sawmill operator terms

Option Talent Agent

Right to extend a deal. More talent agent terms

Oral argument Judicial Law Clerk

Lawyers argue before judges. More judicial law clerk terms

Oral cancer screening Dental Hygienist

A visual and physical check of the mouth, tongue and neck for abnormalities. More dental hygienist terms

Oral history Historian

Recorded interviews. More historian terms

Oral history History Professor

Recorded interviews. More history professor terms

Orange peel Furniture Finisher

Bumpy finish. More furniture finisher terms

Orange peel Industrial Painter

Bumpy finish. More industrial painter terms

Orbit Aerospace Engineer

Path around a body. More aerospace engineer terms

Orchestration Music Director

Assigning parts to instruments. More music director terms

Order Hand Packer

Customer purchase. More hand packer terms

Order Route Sales Driver

Customer request. More route sales driver terms

Order confirmation Order Clerk

Customer receipt of order. More order clerk terms

Order entry Order Clerk

Recording orders. More order clerk terms

Order of draw Phlebotomist

The required sequence for filling tubes so additives don’t contaminate later tubes. More phlebotomist terms

Order picker Forklift Operator

A truck that lifts the operator to pick items from shelves. More forklift operator terms

Order status Order Clerk

Where an order is. More order clerk terms

Ordinance Court Clerk

A local law. More court clerk terms

Ore Mining Engineer

Rock with valuable minerals. More mining engineer terms

Ore pass Underground Loader Operator

Chute for ore. More underground mining loader operator terms

Organic chemistry Chemistry Professor

Chemistry of carbon compounds. More chemistry professor terms

Organic matter Soil and Plant Scientist

Decomposed material in soil. More soil and plant scientist terms

Organic traffic Digital Marketing Specialist

Visitors from unpaid search results. More digital marketing specialist terms

Organizational communication Communications Professor

Communication at work. More communications professor terms

Organizational development I-O Psychologist

Planned change. More industrial-organizational psychologist terms

Organs at risk Medical Dosimetrist

Healthy structures to protect. More medical dosimetrist terms

Orientation HR Assistant

New hire introduction. More HR assistant terms

ORIF Orthopedic Surgeon

Open reduction and internal fixation. More orthopedic surgeon terms

Origin Fire Inspector

Where a fire started. More fire inspector terms

Original order Archivist

Keeping records as created. More archivist terms

Orphan Desktop Publisher

First line alone at page bottom. More desktop publisher terms

Orthognathic surgery Oral Surgeon

Jaw alignment surgery. More oral and maxillofacial surgeon terms

Orthophoto Cartographer

Corrected aerial image. More cartographer terms

Orthosis O&P Technician

Brace. More medical appliance technician terms

Orthosis O&P Clinician

A brace. More orthotist and prosthetist terms

Orthotic Podiatrist

A custom shoe insert. More podiatrist terms

OS&D Shipping Clerk

Overages, shortages and damages. More shipping and receiving clerk terms

OS&D Warehouse Associate

Overages, shortages and damages found when receiving. More warehouse associate terms

OSCE Health Sciences Professor

Objective structured clinical exam. More health sciences professor terms

Oscilloscope Electronics Technician

An instrument that displays signals over time. More electronics technician terms

OSHA Boilermaker

Workplace safety agency. More boilermaker terms

OSHA Carpenter Helper

Workplace safety agency. More carpenter helper terms

OSHA Construction Foreman

Workplace safety agency. More construction foreman terms

OSHA Drywall Taper

Workplace safety agency. More drywall taper terms

OSHA Electrician Helper

Workplace safety agency. More electrician helper terms

OSHA Fence Installer

Workplace safety agency. More fence installer terms

OSHA Garage Door Technician

Workplace safety agency. More garage door technician terms

OSHA Glazier

Workplace safety agency. More glazier terms

OSHA Highway Maintenance Worker

Workplace safety agency. More highway maintenance worker terms

OSHA Insulation Installer

Workplace safety agency. More insulation installer terms

OSHA Mason Helper

Workplace safety agency. More mason helper terms

OSHA Mechanical Insulator

Workplace safety agency. More mechanical insulator terms

OSHA Painter Helper

Workplace safety agency. More painter helper terms

OSHA Paperhanger

Workplace safety agency. More paperhanger terms

OSHA Paving Equipment Operator

Workplace safety agency. More paving equipment operator terms

OSHA Pile Driver Operator

Workplace safety agency. More pile driver operator terms

OSHA Pipelayer

Workplace safety agency. More pipelayer terms

OSHA Plasterer

Workplace safety agency. More plasterer terms

OSHA Plumber Helper

Workplace safety agency. More plumber helper terms

OSHA Rebar Worker

Workplace safety agency. More rebar worker terms

OSHA Roofer Helper

Workplace safety agency. More roofer helper terms

OSHA Stonemason

Workplace safety agency. More stonemason terms

OSHA Terrazzo Worker

Workplace safety agency. More terrazzo worker terms

OSHA Safety Specialist

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which sets and enforces workplace safety standards. More occupational safety specialist terms

OSHA Postsecondary CTE Instructor

Workplace safety agency. More postsecondary CTE instructor terms

OSHA 10 Construction Laborer

A 10-hour introductory construction safety course from OSHA’s Outreach Training Program. More construction laborer terms

OSHA 300 log Safety Specialist

The record of work-related injuries and illnesses many employers must keep. More occupational safety specialist terms

OSHA 300 log Safety Technician

The record of work-related injuries and illnesses. More safety technician terms

OSI model Network Administrator

A seven-layer model describing network communication. More network administrator terms

Osseointegration Oral Surgeon

Bone bonding to an implant. More oral and maxillofacial surgeon terms

Osteoarthritis Orthopedic Surgeon

Wear-and-tear joint disease. More orthopedic surgeon terms

Osteoporosis Orthopedic Surgeon

Weak, thinning bones. More orthopedic surgeon terms

Ostomy LPN

A surgical opening, such as a colostomy, that diverts waste to a pouch. More licensed practical nurse terms

OT OT Aide

Occupational therapist. More occupational therapy aide terms

OTA OT Aide

Occupational therapy assistant. More occupational therapy aide terms

OTC Pharmacy Aide

Over-the-counter. More pharmacy aide terms

OTC hearing aids Hearing Aid Specialist

Over-the-counter devices. More hearing aid specialist terms

OTDR Telecom Technician

Optical time-domain reflectometer for testing fiber. More telecommunications technician terms

OTDR Telecom Lineworker

A tester that finds faults in fiber. More telecommunications lineworker terms

OTIF Logistics Coordinator

On time, in full: a key delivery performance metric. More logistics coordinator terms

Otitis media Pediatrician

Middle ear infection. More pediatrician terms

Otoacoustic emissions Audiologist

Sounds the inner ear makes. More audiologist terms

Otoscope Hearing Aid Specialist

Ear examination tool. More hearing aid specialist terms

OTR Truck Driver

Over-the-road: long-haul trucking across multiple states. More truck driver terms

OTR/L OT

Registered, licensed OT. More occupational therapist terms

OUPV Motorboat Operator

Six-pack license. More motorboat operator terms

Out guide File Clerk

Marker for a removed file. More file clerk terms

Out of order Hotel Housekeeper

A room not available. More hotel housekeeper terms

Out of order Hotel Manager

A room unavailable for sale. More hotel manager terms

Out of stock Stock Associate

An item not available. More stock associate terms

Out of tolerance Calibration Technician

Outside limits. More calibration technician terms

Out-of-service criteria Diesel Mechanic

Defects that make a vehicle unsafe to operate until repaired. More diesel mechanic terms

Out-of-service order Transportation Inspector

An order that stops a vehicle or driver until problems are fixed. More transportation inspector terms

Out-of-spec Chemical Technician

A result outside limits. More chemical technician terms

Outage Boilermaker

Planned plant shutdown. More boilermaker terms

Outage Tank Loader

Space left in a tank. More tank loader terms

Outage management system Power Dispatcher

Tracks outages and crews. More power dispatcher terms

Outboard Marine Mechanic

Engine mounted outside the hull. More marine mechanic terms

Outbreak Health Inspector

Two or more illnesses linked to a common source. More environmental health specialist terms

Outbreak Epidemiologist

More cases than expected. More epidemiologist terms

Outcome Community Service Manager

A change in participants. More social and community service manager terms

Outcome evaluation Health Educator

Measuring results. More health educator terms

Outcrop Geoscientist

Exposed rock. More geoscientist terms

Outlier Statistical Assistant

Unusual value. More statistical assistant terms

Output Community Service Manager

Activities delivered. More social and community service manager terms

Outreach Community Health Worker

Reaching people where they are. More community health worker terms

Outriggers Heavy Equipment Operator

Extendable supports that stabilize machines such as backhoes and cranes. More heavy equipment operator terms

Outriggers Crane Operator

Extendable supports that stabilize a crane. More crane operator terms

Outside operator Refinery Operator

Field operator. More refinery operator terms

Outsole Shoe Machine Operator

Bottom sole. More shoe machine operator terms

Over easy Short-Order Cook

Egg flipped, runny yolk. More short-order cook terms

Over-greasing Machinery Maintenance Worker

Too much grease. More machinery maintenance worker terms

Over/short Cashier

When the drawer has more or less than it should. More cashier terms

Over/under Sportsbook Writer

Total points bet. More sportsbook writer terms

Overage Weigher and Checker

More than expected. More weigher and checker terms

Overage Bank Teller

More cash than expected. More bank teller terms

Overbite Orthodontist

Upper teeth overlapping too much. More orthodontist terms

Overbook Restaurant Host

Booking more than capacity. More restaurant host terms

Overbooking Reservation Agent

Selling more seats than available. More reservation agent terms

Overbooking Front Desk Agent

Booking more rooms than available. More hotel front desk agent terms

Overdepth Dredge Operator

Extra depth dug. More dredge operator terms

Overdraft Bank Teller

Spending more than the balance. More bank teller terms

Overdraft protection New Accounts Clerk

Covers overdrafts. More new accounts clerk terms

Overdue Library Assistant

Past the due date. More library assistant terms

Overfill protection Tank Loader

Stops overflows. More tank loader terms

Overfitting Data Scientist

When a model learns noise instead of patterns. More data scientist terms

Overflow lot Parking Attendant

Extra parking. More parking attendant terms

Overglaze Product Decorator

Decoration on glaze. More product decorator terms

Overhaul Firefighter

Searching for and extinguishing hidden fire after knockdown. More firefighter terms

Overhead Cost Estimator

Indirect costs. More cost estimator terms

Overhead catenary Subway Operator

Overhead power wire. More subway operator terms

Overlap Farm Equipment Operator

Covering the same area twice. More agricultural equipment operator terms

Overlay Geographer

Combining layers. More geographer terms

Overpayment Eligibility Interviewer

Benefits paid in error. More eligibility interviewer terms

Override Credit Authorizer

Approval outside normal rules. More credit authorizer terms

Overseeding Landscaper

Spreading seed over existing grass. More landscaper terms

Overspray Industrial Painter

Paint that misses. More industrial painter terms

Overstock Stock Associate

Extra products stored in the back. More stock associate terms

Overtime Payroll Clerk

Extra pay over 40 hours. More payroll clerk terms

Overweight Refuse Collector

A load exceeding legal weight limits. More refuse collector terms

Owned media Public Relations Manager

Your own channels. More public relations manager terms

Owner-operator Freight Dispatcher

A driver who owns their truck. More freight dispatcher terms

All letters and career glossaries