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Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders

Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders is the O*NET name for people who operate or tend heating equipment other than basic metal, plastic, or food processing equipment. The skills rated most useful are operations monitoring, speaking, and reading comprehension. One core duty is to monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards. Interest ratings put Realistic on top at 6.8 out of 7 and Conventional second, so the code is RCI and the day leans toward hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world. Getting in usually takes a few months to a year of learning on the job, a level O*NET calls some preparation. It tends to suit people who want hands-on work with tools, machines or the physical world, and it offers little for anyone seeking creative work with room for original expression.

What they do

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.

Main tasks

  • Monitor equipment operation, gauges, and panel lights to detect deviations from standards.
  • Confer with supervisors or other equipment operators to report equipment malfunctions or to resolve production problems.
  • Press and adjust controls to activate, set, and regulate equipment according to specifications.
  • Record gauge readings, test results, and shift production in log books.
  • Read and interpret work orders and instructions to determine work assignments, process specifications, and production schedules.
  • Examine or test samples of processed substances, or collect samples for laboratory testing, to ensure conformance to specifications.

Skills

  • Operations Monitoring
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Operation and Control
  • Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking

Who this career fits

May suit you if

  • You like ending the day with a physical result you can point to.
  • You like clear rules and getting the details right.
  • You want to start work after a short stretch of training.
  • You are comfortable relying on operations monitoring and speaking.

May not suit you if

  • You would rather stay away from physical, hands-on tasks.
  • You need creative expression to be a big part of your day. Artistic rates 1.0 out of 7 here.
  • You want a career built on years of advanced study.

Interest profile

O*NET rates each occupation from 1 to 7 on six interest types. The code RCI takes the three highest, and Realistic comes first here.

Preparation

Some preparation. Most people start with a high school diploma, then learn from experienced coworkers over a few months to a year.

Most-reported requirement in the O*NET survey: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED). This reflects what workers reported most often and is not a legal minimum. Licensing rules can differ by state or industry, so confirm what applies where you plan to work.

Also called

  • Annealing Operator
  • Dry Kiln Operator
  • Dryer Feeder
  • Evaporator Operator
  • Furnace Operator

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.