Watch clips from "How It's Made" to see how objects like artificial limbs, nails, footballs, mustard, and more are made. Choose a few to watch--which one surprised you most?

Watch how the objects all around us are made.

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

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

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

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).

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

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.

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.

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

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

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Biomass Plant Technicians

Control and monitor biomass plant activities and perform maintenance as needed.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

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

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.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

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

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

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

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

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.

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Miscellaneous Plant and System Operators

Plant and System Operators, All Other

Production Occupations

Plant and System Operators

Operate biomass fuel-burning boiler or biomass fuel gasification system equipment in accordance with specifications or instructions.

Perform tests of water chemistry in boilers.

Operate high-pressure steam boiler or water chiller equipment for electrical cogeneration operations.

Operate equipment to heat biomass, using knowledge of controls, combustion, and firing mechanisms.

Operate equipment to start, stop, or regulate biomass-fueled generators, generator units, boilers, engines, or auxiliary systems.

Inspect biomass power plant or processing equipment, recording or reporting damage and mechanical problems.

Record or report operational data, such as readings on meters, instruments, and gauges.

Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust production of biofuels or biomass-fueled power.

Calculate, measure, load, or mix biomass feedstock for power generation.

Clean work areas to ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

National Instruments LabVIEW

Microsoft Office software

Microsoft Word

Energy analysis software

Inventory control software

Distributed control system DCS

Biomass boilers

Bubbling fluidized bed boilers

Circulating fluidized bed boilers

Grinders

Tub grinders

Biomass screeners

Disc screeners

Wheeled front end loaders

Heat recovery steam generators

Radial stackers

Steam boilers

Biomass dryers

Belt conveyor systems

Laptop computers

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

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

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

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

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

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

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Every day

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Very high responsibility

High responsibility

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Once a week or more but not every day

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Once a month or more but not every week

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

A lot of freedom

Some freedom

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Biomass Plant Technicians

Overview

Career

What Biomass Plant Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Biomass Plant Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Biomass Plant Technicians

Overview

Career

What Biomass Plant Technicians Do

Other Job Titles Biomass Plant Technicians May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Biomass Plant Technicians

Related Leaders