Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.
Work Activities
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Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
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Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
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Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
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Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
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Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
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Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
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Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
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Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
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Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
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Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
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Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
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Investigate and report on accidents.
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Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
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Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
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Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
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Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
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Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.
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Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
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Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
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Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
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Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
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Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
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Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
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Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
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Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
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Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Education High school diploma or equivalent
- Work Experience No work experience
- Training More than 1 year on-the-job training
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Looking for technical training programs?
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Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.They do well at jobs that need:
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Dependability
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Attention to Detail
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Initiative
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Stress Tolerance
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Integrity
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Cooperation
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Voltage or current meters
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Screwdrivers
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Pressure indicators
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Pneumatic sanding machines
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Gas welding or brazing or cutting apparatus
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Word processing software
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Spreadsheet software
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Facilities management software
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Electronic mail software
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Data base user interface and query software
