Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Career Overview

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.

Also Known As

Brewer
Cellar Worker
Machine Tender
Pulper Operator

Alternate Job Titles

Absorber Operator
Absorption Operator
Acetone Recovery Worker
Acetylene Plant Operator
Acid Extractor
Acid Purifier
Almond Blancher Operator
Almond Huller
Amalgamator
Ammonium Nitrate Crystallizer
Automatic Centrifugal Station Operator
Automatic Dry Starch Operator
Barley Steeper
Basin Operator
Batch Operator

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

Dump, pour, or load specified amounts of refined or unrefined materials into equipment or containers for further processing or storage.
Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
Turn valves or move controls to admit, drain, separate, filter, clarify, mix, or transfer materials.
Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
Examine samples to verify qualities such as clarity, cleanliness, consistency, dryness, or texture.
Start agitators, shakers, conveyors, pumps, or centrifuge machines.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

Production and Processing

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

Operations Monitoring

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

Near Vision
Perceptual Speed
Problem Sensitivity
Information Ordering
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Reaction Time
Control Precision
Multilimb Coordination
Selective Attention
Static Strength

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

Cautiousness
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Integrity
Self-Control

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

Support
Working Conditions
Independence
Relationships
Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Word
SAP software

Tools & Equipment

Adjustable wrenches
Claw hammers
Colorimeters
Desktop computers
Gauging rods
Graduated burets
Grease guns
Handheld refractometers
Hydrometers
Industrial platform scales
Locking pliers
Personal computers
pH indicators
Phillips head screwdrivers
Platform scales

Work Environment

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Exposed to Contaminants
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
Freedom to Make Decisions

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$35,810
Median	$49,500
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$75,860

Workers Employed Nationally: 54,200