Chemical Equipment Operator or Tender

Other Titles

Chemical Operator, Chlorination Operator, Multiskill Operator, Operator, Outside Operator, Process Operator, Production Operator, Production Technician, Spray Dry Operator, Vessel Operator

Chemical Equipment Operator or Tenders are responsible for the operation, maintenance and repair of equipment used in industrial chemical processes. It is their job to calibrate and adjust equipment so that it is safe to use while performing the required operations. They tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels. They are also responsible for inspecting the equipment on a regular basis. In doing so, they make sure that the equipment suffers no leaks, malfunctions or any other faults which may pose a safety risk. A part of their job is to detect any malfunctions and then report them to maintenance engineers for timely repair.

Observe safety precautions to prevent fires or explosions.

Record operational data, such as temperatures, pressures, ingredients used, processing times, or test results.

Control or operate equipment in which chemical changes or reactions take place during the processing of industrial or consumer products.

Patrol work areas to detect leaks or equipment malfunctions or to monitor operating conditions.

Draw samples of products at specified stages so that analyses can be performed.

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.

Monitor gauges, recording instruments, flowmeters, or products to ensure that specified conditions are maintained.

Test product samples for specific gravity, chemical characteristics, pH levels, concentrations, or viscosities, or send them to laboratories for testing.

Inspect equipment or units to detect leaks or malfunctions, shutting equipment down, if necessary.

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.

Implement appropriate industrial emergency response procedures.

Measure, weigh, and mix chemical ingredients, according to specifications.

Dump or scoop prescribed solid, granular, or powdered materials into equipment.

Notify maintenance engineers of equipment malfunctions.

Estimate materials required for production and manufacturing of products.

Add treating or neutralizing agents to products, and pump products through filters or centrifuges to remove impurities or to precipitate products.

Observe and compare colors and consistencies of products to instrument readings and to laboratory and standard test results.

Direct activities of workers assisting in control or verification of processes or in unloading of materials.

Drain equipment, and pump water or other solutions through to flush and clean tanks or equipment.

Flush or clean equipment, using steam hoses or mechanical reamers.

Make minor repairs, lubricate, and maintain equipment, using hand tools.

Inventory supplies received and consumed.

Operation and Control→ Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operation Monitoring→ Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Monitoring→ Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening→ Giving 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.

Critical Thinking→ Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making→ Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Reading Comprehension→ Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving→ Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Speaking→ Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Learning→ Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination→ Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Quality Control Analysis→ Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Time Management→ Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Troubleshooting→ Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Writing→ Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings→ Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Getting Information→ Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems→ Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Controlling Machines and Processes→ Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material→ Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates→ Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events→ Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Documenting/Recording Information→ Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships→ Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Training and Teaching Others→ Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards→ Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others→ Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment→ Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Processing Information→ Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Analyzing Data or Information→ Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Performing General Physical Activities→ Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Handling and Moving Objects→ Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Interacting With Computers→ Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others→ Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information→ Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Coaching and Developing Others→ Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Developing and Building Teams→ Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work→ Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge→ Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Assisting and Caring for Others→ Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People→ Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others→ Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates→ Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Record operational or production data.

Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.

Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.

Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.

Adjust temperature controls of ovens or other heating equipment.

Collect samples of materials or products for testing.

Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.

Inspect production equipment.

Operate pumping systems or equipment.

Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.

Direct operational or production activities.

Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.

Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.

Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes.

Mix substances to create chemical solutions.

Load materials into production equipment.

Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.

Clean production equipment.

Estimate material requirements for production.

Compare physical characteristics of materials or products to specifications or standards.

Lubricate production equipment.

Maintain production or processing equipment.

Repair production equipment or tools.

Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

Control Precision→ The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Near Vision→ The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Comprehension→ The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity→ The 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.

Written Comprehension→ The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Perceptual Speed→ The 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.

Far Vision→ The ability to see details at a distance.

Information Ordering→ The 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 Coordination→ The 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.

Deductive Reasoning→ The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Manual Dexterity→ The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Reaction Time→ The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Written Expression→ The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Arm-Hand Steadiness→ The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Flexibility of Closure→ The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Inductive Reasoning→ The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Rate Control→ The 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.

Selective Attention→ The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Speech Clarity→ The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition→ The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Auditory Attention→ The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.

Category Flexibility→ The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Finger Dexterity→ The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Visual Color Discrimination→ The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

Visualization→ The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Production and Processing→ Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Chemistry→ Knowledge 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.

Mechanical→ Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Computers and Electronics→ Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Language→ Knowledge of the structure and content of a language - English, French, Swahili et cetera - including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Mathematics→ Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Public Safety and Security→ Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Law and Government→ Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Administration and Management→ Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Clerical→ Knowledge 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.

Engineering and Technology→ Knowledge 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 Training→ Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Electronic mail software -- e.g., MicrosoftOutlook; IBM Notes

Enterprise resource planning ERP software -- e.g., Sage; Xero; Sapama; ebizframe; Odoo; Macro 2000; SYSPRO ERP; QuickEasy BOS; TrueERP; Microsoft Dynamics; NetSuite ERP; Oracle Hyperion; SAP

Office suite software -- e.g., Corel WordPerfect Office; Microsoft Office; Google Workspace; Apache OpenOffice.org

Spreadsheet software -- e.g., Corel Quattro Pro; Microsoft Excel; Google Sheets

Word processing software -- e.g., Corel Wordperfect; Microsoft Word; Google Docs

Air dryers→ Batch dryers; Belt dryers; Continuous tray dryers; Drum dryers; Pneumatic conveying dryers; Industrial dryers; Packed towers; Rotary cylindrical dryers

Air filters→ Industrial filters

Air scrubbers

Augers

Barometers

Belt conveyors

Bi distillation units→ Distillers

Blowers

Bucket conveyors→ Bucket elevators

Capacitance meters→ Capacitance probes

Catalytic converters

Centrifugal pumps

Chain conveyors

Chemical tanks→ Blending vessels; Chemical reactor vessels

Circulation heaters

Collection tanks→ Collectors

Colorimeters

Crystallizers

Deionization or demineralization equipment→ Demineralizers

Density gradient fractionators→ Fractionators

Evaporative coolers→ Cooling towers; Tray towers

Extracting equipment for laboratories→ Extractors

Facial shields→ Protective face shields

Fans→ Axial flow fans; Centrifugal fans

Filtering machinery→ Filler presses

Fire blankets

Fire extinguishers

Flowmeters→ Flow meters

Gas chromatographs→ Gas chromatographs GC

Gas recovery machinery→ Gas expanders; Recovery units

Gear pumps

Goggles→ Chemical splash goggles; Safety goggles

Grease guns

Hazardous material protective apparel→ Personal protective equipment

Heat exchangers

Humidifiers

Hydraulic accumulators

Laboratory blenders or emulsifiers→ Blenders

Laboratory evaporators

Laboratory separators→ Gas-liquid separators; Liquid-liquid separators

Ladders

Logging instruments for water wells→ Calibrated rods

Manometers

Metal fabric media→ Media filters

Pipe wrenches

Positive displacement pumps

Power buffers→ Waxing buffers

Pressure sensors→ Bourdon tubes; Pressure gauges

Processing tanks→ Agitator tanks; Neutralizer tanks

Reactors

Reactors or fermenters or digesters→ Chemical reactors

Reamer→ Mechanical reamers

Reciprocating compressors

Reciprocating pumps

Respiration air supplying self contained breathing apparatus or accessories→ Self-contained breathing apparatus

Respirators→ Air purifying respirators

Reverse osmosis equipment→ Reverse osmosis systems

Rotary pumps

Rotating shakers→ Rotating equipment

Safety shoes

Screw conveyor→ Screw conveyors

Screwdrivers

Special hoses→ Steam hoses

Spectrometers→ Infrared spectroscopic equipment

Spectrophotometers→ Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometers

Spray dryers

Standard fermentation units→ Fermentation chambers

Steam engines→ Steam turbines

Storage tanks→ Soap-spray storage tanks; Storage drums

Surface thermometers→ Digital surface thermometers

Thermocouple probes→ Thermocouple temperature probes

Thermocouples

Turbine engines→ Combustion gas turbines

Two way radios

Vacuum pumps

Water purification equipment→ Brine concentrators; Water clarifiers

Water softening accessories→ Water softeners

Welding masks→ Welding helmets

Realistic→ Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional→ Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Attention to Detail→ Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability→ Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation→ Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Integrity→ Job requires being honest and ethical.

Adaptability/Flexibility→ Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Stress Tolerance→ Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Initiative→ Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Persistence→ Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Concern for Others→ Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Independence→ Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Analytical Thinking→ Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Leadership→ Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Self Control→ Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Achievement/Effort→ Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Social Orientation→ Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Innovation→ Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Support→ Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Independence→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Relationships→ Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.