Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders Onet SOC Code 51-9051.00 Career Description: 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. Related Clusters: Programs of Study Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle 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.

• Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
• Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators in order to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
• Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, in order to ensure conformance to specifications.
• Clean, lubricate, and adjust equipment, using scrapers, solvents, air hoses, oil, and hand tools.
• Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, handtrucks, or hoists.
• Stop equipment and clear blockages or jams, using fingers, wire, or hand tools.
• Remove products from equipment, manually or using hoists, and prepare them for storage, shipment, or additional processing.
• Calculate amounts of materials to be loaded into furnaces, adjusting amounts as necessary for specific conditions.
• Feed fuel, such as coal and coke, into fireboxes or onto conveyors, and remove ashes from furnaces, using shovels and buckets.
• Melt or refine metal before casting, calculating required temperatures; and observe metal color and adjust controls as necessary in order to maintain required temperatures.
• Replace worn or defective equipment parts, using hand tools.
• Load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.
• Weigh or measure specified amounts of ingredients or materials for processing, using devices such as scales and calipers.
• Press and adjust controls in order to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
• Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights in order to detect deviations from standards.
• Read and interpret work orders and instructions in order to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
• Sprinkle chemicals on the surface of molten metal in order to bring impurities to surface and remove impurities, using strainers.
• Direct crane operators and crew members to load vessels with materials to be processed.

• 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.
• Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• 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.
• Engineering and Technology - 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.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• On-the-job training with an experienced worker is provided by most companies. Work experience in a factory will improve an applicant's chance for being hired. Employers using computerized batch control systems expect applicants to have computer application skills. High school students will find that taking courses in mathematics, machine shop, general science, and auto mechanics will also be helpful.

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

• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 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).
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 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.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

• 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.
• 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.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

• 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.
• Security - Workers on this job have steady employment.
• 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.

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