Cuts and shapes hard and soft stone blocks and masonry slabs to construct and renovate stone structures and monumental masonry.

Studies plans and specifications to determine materials required, dimensions and installation procedures; erects scaffolding; seals foundations with damp resistant materials and spreads layers of mortar to serve as base and binder for blocks, using trowels; checks vertical and horizontal alignment; cuts, shapes, and polishes stones and bricks using machines and hand tools, and shapes bricks to fit irregular spaces; repairs and maintains bricks, cement blocks and related structures; designs and cuts monumental masonry including lettering; constructs walls using stone slabs and large masonry slab blocks.

• Works outdoors predominantly, in most weather conditions but may complete a significant component of their work in an indoor workshop area.
• Indoor workspaces will generally be adequately heated. Frequently works in dirty and dusty situations, as well as with wet cement, sand and water.

• The physical demand is heavy.
• Standing is constantly required, walking is frequently required. Sitting is not required.
• Stretching up and across is frequently required to carry out carving or other aspects of stone-work, including finishing off work on foundations.
• Squatting, crouching and/or kneeling is occasionally required.
• Twisting of the body or neck is occasionally required.
• Lifting and carrying is frequently required with blocks of stone and may work with mechanical lifting equipment.
• Repetitive movements are frequently required especially in the use of hands and arms to carry out cutting, shaping and sawing.
• Driving to worksites may be occasionally required for installation work. Many are self-employed.
• Use a range of hand and machine tools including saws, chisels and a range of sanding and shaping tools. May also work with concrete when setting their finished stone objects in place.
• Bending is frequently required to carry out required work tasks.
• Mental skills include design, problem-solving and practical skills.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient. Registration or licensing may be required.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.