Plant and System Operators, All Other

Career Description: All plant and system operators not listed separately.

Industry: Production

Other Job Titles for Plant and System Operators, All Other:

• 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.
• 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.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• 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.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Remove completed work from equipment.
• Place film in labeled containers, or number film for identification, by hand or by using numbering machines.
• Read work orders and examine negatives and film in order to determine machine settings and processing requirements.
• Insert processed negatives and prints into envelopes so that they can be returned to customers.
• Load circuit boards, racks or rolls of film, negatives, and/or printing paper into processing or printing machines.
• Fill tanks of processing machines with solutions such as developer, dyes, stop-baths, fixers, bleaches, and washes.
• Sort film to be developed according to criteria such as film type or completion date.
• Measure and mix chemicals to prepare solutions for processing, according to formulas.
• Monitor equipment operation to detect malfunctions.
• Clean and maintain photoprocessing equipment, using cleaning and rinsing solutions and ultrasonic equipment.
• Operate special equipment to perform tasks such as transferring film to videotape or producing photographic enlargements.
• Set and adjust machine controls, according to specifications, type of operation, and material requirements.
• Maintain records such as quantities and types of processing completed, rate of materials usage, and customer charges.
• Start and operate machines to prepare circuit boards and to expose, develop, etch, fix, wash, dry, and print film or plates.
• Inspect film or circuit patterns on photographic plates to locate any defects; discard defective products or repair them, using cleaning solutions and hand tools.
• Splice broken or separated film, and mount film on reels.
• Retouch photographic negatives or original prints to correct defects.
• Record test data from film that has been examined, and route film to film developers and film printers for further processing.
• Set automatic timers, lens openings, and printer carriages to specified focus and exposure times, and start exposure in order to duplicate originals, photographs, or negatives.
• Evaluate film and negatives to determine characteristics such as sensitivity to light, density, and exposure time required for printing.
• Dry prints or negatives, using sponges and/or squeegees, mechanical air dryers, or drying cabinets.
• Expose film strips to progressively timed lights to compare effects of various exposure times.
• Mount cameras on tripods or stands, and load prescribed types and sizes of film in cameras.
• Examine quality of film fades and dissolves, and evaluate potential color corrections, using color analyzers.
• Shade negatives or photographs with pencils to smooth facial contours, soften highlights, and conceal blemishes, stray hairs, or wrinkles.
• Measure material to be copied, and compute percentages of enlargement or reproduction necessary, using rules, charts, or percentage scales.
• Thread film strips through sensitometers, expose film to light, and read gauges to assess light sensitivity.
• Rub erasers or cloths over photographs to reduce gloss, remove debris, or prepare specified areas of illustrations for highlighting.
• Clean and organize darkrooms, and maintain darkroom equipment.
• Apply paint to retouch or enhance negatives or photographs, using airbrushes, pens, artists' brushes, cotton swabs, or gloved fingers.
• Ink borders or lettering on illustrations, using pens, brushes, or drafting instruments.
• Cut out masking templates, using shears, and position templates on pictures to mask selected areas.
• Color photographs to produce natural, lifelike appearances, using oil colors.
• Build sand molds in flasks, following patterns and heat flasks to dry and harden molds, using furnaces or torches.
• Rotate molds in order to distribute molten material and prevent formation of air pockets.
• Remove molds from cast articles, clean them, and apply shellac and powder to preserve them for reuse.
• Immerse gemstones in chemical solutions to determine specific gravity and other key properties necessary for identification and appraisal.
• Burn grooves or crevices in molds in order to correct defects, using soldering guns.
• Press models into clay, and build up clay around exposed parts of models to retain plaster.
• Chase decorative designs on silver blanks that are to be used as models for steel production dies.

Emerging Tasks

• Clean of photo-lab workspace.
• Scan negatives or photographs into computers to create digital files.
• Prepare and implement clearance orders, ensuring system is properly tagged for maintenance safety.
• Provide training to new operators.
• Perform minor repairs and maintenance of presses and printers, including lubricating moving parts.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 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.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• 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.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• 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.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• 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.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• adjust production equipment/machinery setup
• apply cleaning solvents
• attach or mark identification onto products or containers
• clean equipment or machinery
• develop film or other photographic medium
• examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
• load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
• load, unload, or stack containers, materials, or products
• maintain consistent production quality
• maintain production or work records
• measure, weigh, or count products or materials
• mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
• mix photographic chemicals
• monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
• operate cameras
• operate graphic reproduction equipment
• perform safety inspections in manufacturing or industrial setting
• process photographic prints
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use hand or power tools
• retouch negatives or prints
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use densitometer
• use hand or power tools
• use chemical testing or analysis procedures
• use hand or power tools
• use laboratory equipment
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• use soldering equipment
• use spray paint equipment
• use hand or power woodworking tools
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use spray application production equipment
• use non-destructive test equipment
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use robotics systems technology
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques
• weld together metal parts, components, or structures
• read specifications
• read technical drawings
• read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
• recognize characteristics of alloys
• recognize characteristics of metals
• recognize characteristics of pulps
• recognize wood species characteristics
• record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
• sort manufacturing materials or products
• test manufactured products or materials
• understand engineering data or reports
• understand measuring devices
• understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use electrical or electronic test devices or equipment
• use hand or power tools
• use hazardous materials information
• use interpersonal communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use knowledge of metric system
• use long or short term production planning techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use precision measuring tools or equipment
• use quality assurance techniques
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use x-ray or magnetic inspection techniques

• n/a

• Average hourly wage (2007) -$22.47
• Average annual wage (2007) - $46,740.00

• Employment (2006): 14,132

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