Description
Operate and monitor process units to control physical and chemical operations in manufacturing of industrial or consumer products, using DCS/SCADA and field equipment. Perform startups, shutdowns, and adjustments on reactors, kettles, pumps, and related systems to meet safety, quality, and production targets.
- • Adjust DCS and field controls to regulate temperature, pressure, flow, and reaction time per SOPs.
- • Follow process safety procedures and permits (LOTO, hot work, confined space) to prevent fires, explosions, and releases.
- • Monitor DCS trends, gauges, and flowmeters to keep conditions within specifications.
- • Operate process equipment where chemical and physical changes occur to produce in-spec product.
- • Measure, stage, and charge raw materials and additives per batch or run sheets.
- • Inspect units for leaks or malfunctions and initiate safe shutdowns when required.
- • Perform field rounds to check operating conditions and identify abnormalities.
- • Collect and test samples for pH, viscosity, concentration, and other quality parameters or submit to the lab.
- • Draw in-process and final samples at specified intervals.
- • Record operating data and test results in logs and electronic systems.
- • Create work notifications and coordinate with maintenance on equipment issues.
- • Add treating or neutralizing agents and operate filters, centrifuges, or separators to meet product specs.
- • Start and stop valves, pumps, agitators, blowers, and material feeds per procedures.
- • Review batch records, production schedules, and specifications to plan operations.
- • Drain, flush, and clean tanks and lines between campaigns per cleaning procedures.
- • Perform minor adjustments, lubrication, and preventive maintenance within authorization.
- • Execute cleaning-in-place or manual cleaning using approved tools and media.
- • Verify product appearance against instrument readings, lab results, and standards.
- • Respond to alarms and assist with emergency response per site plans.
- • Charge solid, granular, or powdered materials safely into process equipment.
- • Estimate and stage required materials to meet production plans.
- • Track inventory of raw materials, consumables, and finished goods.
- • Lead and coordinate helpers or contractors during operations, sampling, or material handling.
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Related Pathways
Advanced Manufacturing
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Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
