Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Onet SOC Code 51-9012.00 Career 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. Related Clusters: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Manufacturing Programs of Study Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Career Summary:

• Experience- Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.
• Education- These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.
• Job Training- Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.
• Examples- These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• 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.
• Turn valves to pump sterilizing solutions and rinsewater through pipes and equipment, and to spray vats with atomizers.
• Remove full bags or containers from discharge outlets, and replace them with empty ones.
• 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.
• Pack bottles into cartons or crates, using machines.

• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• 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 methods.

• A high school diploma is usually required for this occupation. On-the-job training with experienced dairy processing equipment operators may last from one month to one year. For related information and recommended courses to prepare for this occupation, Tennessee high school students may visit the Agriculture Standards, Competency Profiles, and Resource Links online.

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

• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

• 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 outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Second Interest High-Point - Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• 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.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

• Moral Values - Workers on this job are never pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
• Company Policies and Practices - Workers on this job are treated fairly by the company.
• Supervision, Human Relations - Workers on this job have supervisors who back up their workers with management.
• Support-Mean Extent - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
• Activity - Workers on this job are busy all the time.
• Independence - Workers on this job do their work alone.
• Supervision, Technical - Workers on this job have supervisors who train their workers well.
• Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.

Wage and salary data provided by:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee Department of Labor website
• TN Department of Labor & Workforce Development website
• Bureau of Economic Analysis website