Performs routine tasks in tanning and finishing leather, hides and skins such as fleshing hides by cutting out pieces of flesh and fat, laying out hides and skins for classing and drying and arranging heaters to dry them, spraying dried hides with preservatives, and treating, pressing and securing hides and skins.

• Prepares surface of skin prior to removal of hair or wool; reduces thickness of hide, grades and pickles until required for further treatment; applies dye to pelts using appropriate means; may also finish pelts by softening, fluffing, brushing and combing.

• Works indoors in tannery or pelt processing factories.
• Work areas are likely to be dirty, wet and smelly.
• Uses a variety of personal protective equipment including ear muffs and eye protection and gloves.

• Medium physical demand
• Stands frequently at processing machines and may walk about the factory floor to move hides and other materials.
• Sitting is not required.
• Stretches up and across on a regular basis.
• Squatting, crouching or kneeling is not a significant requirement of the job.
• Occasionally to frequently twists the body or neck to lift and move bundles of hides.
• Bends on a frequent basis usually when laying out hides and skins or when lifting them.
• Constantly handles hides that have been treated with chemicals which may cause damage to skin or hands if protective clothing such as gloves and aprons is not utilised.
• Constantly lifting and carrying both wet and dry hides and processing them via various machines.
• Many tasks involve the repetitive use of hands, such as cutting, spraying, brushing and combing.
• Driving of forklifts may be required (if so then a licence is necessary).
• Uses a range of hand and power tools and machinery to remove hair and wool from skins and to cut, scrape and brush.
• Mental skills necessary include practical and technical skills.

An NZQF Level 2 or 3 qualification, or at least one year of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 4).

For some occupations a short period of on-the-job training may be required in addition to or instead of the formal qualification.

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