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Chemical Plant and System Operators Go Back to List
Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.
 Technology used in this occupation:
 
  • Industrial control software
  •  Tasks
     
  • Move control settings to make necessary adjustments on equipment units affecting speeds of chemical reactions, quality, or yields.
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  • Monitor recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, or other indicators and listen for warning signals, to verify conformity of process conditions.
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  • Control or operate chemical processes or systems of machines, using panelboards, control boards, or semi-automatic equipment.
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  • Record operating data, such as process conditions, test results, or instrument readings.
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  • Confer with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, or product quality.
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  • Draw samples of products and conduct quality control tests to monitor processing and to ensure that standards are met.
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  • Regulate or shut down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.
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  • 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.
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  • Interpret chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or on television monitors and review laboratory test reports for process adjustments.
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  • Patrol work areas to ensure that solutions in tanks or troughs are not in danger of overflowing.
  •  Skills
     
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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  • 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.
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  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  •  Knowledge
     
  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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  • 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 m
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  • Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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  • Public Safety and Security - Knowledge 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.
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  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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  • 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.
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  • Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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  • Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
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     Education & Training
      Education:   These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
      Related Experience:   Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
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    ONET Resource Center Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
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