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Chemical Plant and System Operators - 51-8091.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Chemical Operator
  • Loader Technician
  • Process Control Operator
  • Process Development Associate
  • Process Operator
  • Process Technician
  • Production Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

51-0000 Production Occupations
51-8000 Plant and System Operators
51-8090 Miscellaneous Plant and System Operators
51-8091.00 Chemical Plant and System Operators

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Calculate material requirements or yields according to formulas.
  • Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality.
  • Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
  • Defrost frozen valves, using steam hoses.
  • Direct workers engaged in operating machinery that regulates the flow of materials and products.
  • Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
  • Gauge tank levels, using calibrated rods.
  • Inspect operating units, such as towers, soap-spray storage tanks, scrubbers, collectors, or driers to ensure that all are functioning and to maintain maximum efficiency.
  • Interpret chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or on television monitors and review laboratory test reports for process adjustments.
  • Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
  • Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
  • Notify maintenance, stationary engineering, or other auxiliary personnel to correct equipment malfunctions or to adjust power, steam, water, or air supplies.
  • Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
  • Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
  • Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
  • Repair or replace damaged equipment.
  • Start pumps to wash and rinse reactor vessels, to exhaust gases or vapors, to regulate the flow of oil, steam, air, or perfume to towers, or to add products to converter or blending vessels.
  • Supervise the cleaning of towers, strainers, or spray tips.
  • Turn valves to regulate flow of products or byproducts through agitator tanks, storage drums, or neutralizer tanks.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
  • Analyze test results.
  • Collect samples of materials or products for testing.
  • Confer with others to resolve production problems or equipment malfunctions.
  • Direct operational or production activities.
  • Estimate material requirements for production.
  • Inspect production equipment.
  • Monitor equipment fluid levels.
  • Monitor instruments to ensure proper production conditions.
  • Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
  • Operate chemical processing or water treatment systems or equipment.
  • Operate pumping systems or equipment.
  • Record operational or production data.
  • Repair production equipment or tools.
  • Replace worn equipment components.
  • Test chemical or physical characteristics of materials or products.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Automated Electrolytic Oxygen Generator (AEOG) Mechanical Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Cannon Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Cavalry Scout (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Engineer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Medic Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Cryogenics Equipment Operator (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Electrolytic Oxygen Generator (Model 6L16) Operator/Mechanical Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • High and Low Pressure Cryogenic Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-10 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-135 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-46 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-10 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-135 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-46 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Journeyman, KC-10 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Journeyman, KC-135 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Journeyman, KC-46 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Low Pressure Electrolyzer (LPE) Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Oxygen Plant Operator/Maintenance Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Submarine Reactor Controls Operator (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Support Equipment Cryogenic Mechanic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Plant Operator, Furnace Pro

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Ammonia-Still Operator
  • Checker
  • Chief Operator
  • Naphtha-Washing-System Operator
  • Plant Operator, Furnace Process
  • Wash Operator