I either go into work at 4 a.m. or 4 p.m. I'll do shift relief, which means I'll find the operator currently working in my area and find out what happened during their shift. They'll leave and I'll take over. I start by doing rounds through my area. I specifically work on heaters. I go to each heater and make sure there's no water in the oil, check pressure gauges, and check fan speed. I'll then check for any leaks or small fires. We also clean the heaters every 30 days, so I'll help with that.
CAREER
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$48,090
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-5% (decline)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders Do
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.
Other Job Titles Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders May Have
Chemical Operator, Multiskill Operator, Outside Operator, Vessel Operator
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders
Most common level of education among people in
this career: High school diploma or equivalent (49%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Post-secondary certificate
Majors Related to Career
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
Everyone
I high recommend going to college. It's been highly beneficial for me. I also suggest finding an industry job while you're in school to get your foot in the door and begin getting that hands-on experience. Take college seriously. Remember that every day could essentially be an interview. You never know who might be asking about you, so it's helpful to look, speak, and act professionally while you're there. Get involved with as many networking events as possible through your school.
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
