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Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Occupation Detailed Description

Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

The main tasks and work activities of Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders are to adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment, adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow, monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions, operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment. In general, for the Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders, operation and Control, operation Monitoring, monitoring, critical Thinking and other 12 skills are required.
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders jobs. 48.79% of Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 13.50% of Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
1.80%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
48.79%
Post-Secondary Certificate
13.50%
Some College Courses
20.64%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
13.50%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
1.77%

Tasks and Work Activities of Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

  • Adjust controls to regulate temperature, pressure, feed, or flow of liquids or gases and times of prescribed reactions, according to knowledge of equipment and processes.
  • Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.
  • Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.
  • Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.
  • Measure, weigh, and mix chemical ingredients, according to specifications.
  • Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary.
  • Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.
  • Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, concentrations, or viscosities, or send them to laboratories for testing.
  • Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.
  • Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.
  • Notify maintenance engineers of equipment malfunctions.
  • Add treating or neutralizing agents to products, and pump products through filters or centrifuges to remove impurities or to precipitate products.
  • Open valves or start pumps, agitators, reactors, blowers, or automatic feed of materials.
  • Read plant specifications to determine products, ingredients, or prescribed modifications of plant procedures.
  • Drain equipment, and pump water or other solutions through to flush and clean tanks or equipment.
  • Make minor repairs, lubricate, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.
  • Flush or clean equipment, using steam hoses or mechanical reamers.
  • Observe and compare colors and consistencies of products to instrument readings and to laboratory and standard test results.
  • Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures.
  • Dump or scoop prescribed solid, granular, or powdered materials into equipment.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsDeveloping constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.
  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.
  • Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
  • Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.
  • Mix substances to create chemical solutions.
  • Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.
  • Inspect production equipment.
  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.
  • Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.
  • Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
  • Clean production equipment.
  • Operate pumping systems or equipment.
  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
  • Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
  • Repair production equipment or tools.
  • Lubricate production equipment.
  • Maintain production or processing equipment.
  • Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.

Skills and Abilities for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders

  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Processing tankse.g. Agitator tanks
  • Respiratorse.g. Air purifying respirators
  • Air scrubberse.g. Air scrubbers
  • Augerse.g. Augers
  • Fanse.g. Axial flow fans
  • Barometerse.g. Barometers
  • Air dryerse.g. Batch dryers
  • Belt conveyorse.g. Belt conveyors
  • Air dryerse.g. Belt dryers
  • Laboratory blenders or emulsifierse.g. Blenders
  • Chemical tankse.g. Blending vessels
  • Blowerse.g. Blowers
  • Pressure sensorse.g. Bourdon tubes
  • Water purification equipmente.g. Brine concentrators
  • Bucket conveyorse.g. Bucket elevators
  • Logging instruments for water wellse.g. Calibrated rods
  • Capacitance meterse.g. Capacitance probes
  • Catalytic converterse.g. Catalytic converters
  • Fanse.g. Centrifugal fans
  • Centrifugal pumpse.g. Centrifugal pumps
  • Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • ChemistryKnowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • Law and GovernmentKnowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
  • ClericalKnowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.