Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
Also called Dry Kiln Operator, Furnace Operator, Kiln Fireman, or Kiln Operator
What Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders do
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. Includes activities such as annealing glass, drying lumber, curing rubber, removing moisture from materials, or boiling soap.
Who tends to enjoy it
Hands-on
People who like building, fixing, working with tools, machines, plants, or animals.
Organizing
People who like keeping things accurate, orderly, and running on schedule.
Curious
People who like figuring things out, research, science, and solving problems.
What you'd actually do
- Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
- Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
- Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
- Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
- Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
- Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.
- Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, handtrucks, or hoists.
A typical day involves
Skills that matter most
- Operations Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
What you'll need to know
- Mechanical
- Production and Processing
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- English Language
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Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA), occupation 51-9051.00, used under CC BY 4.0 and modified by Whittle. Program links: NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk. How we build these pages.