Occupation Details
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Operate or 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.
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Interests
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.
Work Values
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.
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.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$34,740.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$49,840.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$59,080.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
3,340
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
4,000
+66 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
432
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees 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.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Agitator tanks
- Air purifying respirators
- Air scrubbers
- Augers
- Axial flow fans
- Barometers
- Batch dryers
- Belt conveyors
- Belt dryers
- Blenders
- Blending vessels
- Blowers
- Bourdon tubes
- Brine concentrators
- Bucket elevators
- Calibrated rods
- Capacitance probes
- Catalytic converters
- Centrifugal fans
- Centrifugal pumps
- Chain conveyors
- Chemical reactor vessels
- Chemical reactors
- Chemical splash goggles
- Circulation heaters
- Collectors
- Colorimeters
- Combustion gas turbines
- Continuous tray dryers
- Cooling towers
Technology
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Word
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- communicate technical information
- adjust production equipment/machinery setup
- maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
- clean equipment or machinery
- inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
- use chemical processing emergency procedures
- estimate materials or labor requirements
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- collect samples for testing
- load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
- test manufactured products or materials
- measure, weigh, or count products or materials
- adhere to safety procedures
- maintain production or work records
- inventory stock to ensure adequate supplies
- distinguish colors
- confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
- operate chemical processing equipment
- operate power driven pumps
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- use hand or power tools
- maintain consistent production quality
- perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- read specifications
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Add treating or neutralizing agents to products, and pump products through filters or centrifuges to remove impurities or to precipitate products.
- Estimate materials required for production and manufacturing of 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.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Materials Information Society: American Society for Metals International
Information-sharing network for those who work with metals, composites, ceramics, polymers and electronic materials.
Learn MoreMaterials Information Society: American Society for Metals International
Information sharing network for those who work with metals, composites, ceramics, polymers and electronic materials.
Learn More