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Chemical Technicians Occupation Detailed Description

Chemical Technicians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Chemical Technicians

The main tasks and work activities of Chemical Technicians are to evaluate quality of materials or products, set up laboratory or field equipment, analyze chemical compounds or substances, interpret research or operational data. In general, for the Chemical Technicians, science, critical Thinking, reading Comprehension, monitoring and other 15 skills are required.
Chemical Technicians Job Description
EducationMost occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Related ExperiencePrevious work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, travel guides, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters, and medical assistants.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Chemical Technicians jobs. 21.61% of Chemical Technicians have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 0.59% of Chemical Technicians have Post-Secondary Certificate.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
21.61%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.59%
Some College Courses
2.41%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
49.62%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
25.77%

Tasks and Work Activities of Chemical Technicians

  • Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
  • Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
  • Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
  • Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
  • Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
  • Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
  • Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
  • Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
  • Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.
  • Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
  • Direct or monitor other workers producing chemical products.
  • Operate experimental pilot plants, assisting with experimental design.
  • Develop new chemical engineering processes or production techniques.
  • Design or fabricate experimental apparatus to develop new products or processes.
  • Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
  • Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Evaluate quality of materials or products.
  • Set up laboratory or field equipment.
  • Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
  • Interpret research or operational data.
  • Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing.
  • Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
  • Clean objects.
  • Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
  • Manage scientific or technical project resources.
  • Supervise scientific or technical personnel.
  • Operate laboratory or field equipment.
  • Develop new or advanced products or production methods.
  • Train personnel in technical or scientific procedures.

Skills and Abilities for Chemical Technicians

  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • 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.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • 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.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • 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).
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • 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.
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Bench refractometers or polarimeterse.g. Abbe refractometers
  • Laboratory mixerse.g. Agitation tanks
  • Ammeterse.g. Ammeters
  • Barometerse.g. Aneroid barometers
  • Protective glovese.g. Asbestos gloves
  • Atomic absorption AA spectrometerse.g. Atomic absorption AA spectroscopes
  • Inductively coupled plasma ICP spectrometerse.g. Atomic emissions spectroscopes
  • Viscosimeterse.g. Automated microviscometers
  • Polarimeterse.g. Automated polarimeters
  • Pipette washerse.g. Automatic buret cleaners
  • Robotic or automated liquid handling systemse.g. Automatic burets
  • Pipette washerse.g. Automatic pipette cleaners
  • Titration equipmente.g. Autotitrators
  • Laboratory millse.g. Ball mills
  • Handheld thermometere.g. Beckmann thermometers
  • Laboratory staining dishes or jarse.g. Bell jars
  • Benchtop centrifugese.g. Benchtop centrifuges
  • Bi metallic sensorse.g. Bimetallic strip thermometers
  • Calorimeterse.g. Bomb calorimeters
  • Pressure indicatorse.g. Bourdon gauges
  • 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.
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.