Occupations

Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders - 51-9012.00

Summary Occupational Forecast Data
Annual Average Employment		Employment Change		Average Annual Job Openings			Wage and Training Levels
2013	2018	Numerical	Percent	New Jobs	Replacement Jobs	Total	Median Hourly	Median Annual	Education & Training Level
254	285	31	13%	6	4	10	$13.74	$28,573	Moderate-term on-the-job training
Staffing Pattern Data						Forecast Data Source: EMSI (1st Quarter 2013)

Description

Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

Occupation Details
The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

Tasks
Knowledge and Skills
Job Zone
Work Styles and Values

Tasks

Set or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, and pressure.
Monitor material flow and instruments such as temperature and pressure gauges, indicators, and meters, in order to ensure optimal processing conditions.
Start agitators, shakers, conveyors, pumps, or centrifuge machines, then turn valves or move controls to admit, drain, separate, filter, clarify, mix, or transfer materials.
Examine samples visually or by hand to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, and texture.
Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
Maintain logs of instrument readings, test results, and shift production, and send production information to computer databases.
Test samples to determine viscosity, acidity, specific gravity, or degree of concentration, using test equipment such as viscometers, pH meters, and hydrometers.
Measure or weigh materials to be refined, mixed, transferred, stored, or otherwise processed.
Clean and sterilize tanks, screens, inflow pipes, production areas, and equipment, using hoses, brushes, scrapers, or chemical solutions.
Inspect machines and equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, and leaks.
Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
Connect pipes between vats and processing equipment.
Communicate processing instructions to other workers.
Remove clogs, defects, and impurities from machines, tanks, conveyors, screens, or other processing equipment.
Assemble fittings, valves, bowls, plates, disks, impeller shafts, and other parts to equipment in order to prepare equipment for operation.
Install and maintain or repair hoses, pumps, filters, or screens in order to maintain processing equipment, using hand tools.

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.
	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
	Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	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.

Skills
	Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
	Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
	Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
	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.
	Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
	Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Abilities
	Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
	Perceptual Speed - 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 compa
	Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
	Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
	Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
	Auditory Attention - The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
	Reaction Time - The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
	Static Strength - The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
	Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
	Trunk Strength - The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
	Hearing Sensitivity - The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
	Information Ordering - 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).
	Multilimb Coordination - 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.
	Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
	Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
	Rate Control - The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
	Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
	Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
	Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
	Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
	Gross Body Equilibrium - The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
	Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
	Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
	Visual Color Discrimination - The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
	Depth Perception - The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
	Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
	Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
	Arm-Hand Steadiness - The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
	Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
	Finger Dexterity - The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Work Activities
	Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
	Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
	Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
	Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
	Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
	Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
	Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
	Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
	Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
	Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
	Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
	Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
	Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
	Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
	Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
	Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
	Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
	Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
	Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
	Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
	Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
	Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
	Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
	Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Job Zone
Title	Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Overall 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.
Job Training	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.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

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 outsi
	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.
	Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Work Styles
	Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
	Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Work Values