30-Chemical processing plant controllers

Job Title: 

Chemical processing plant controllers

Job Description: 

Control or operate entire chemical processes or system of machines.

Summary: 

Chemical processing plant controllers operate and monitor chemical plants and related multi-function process control machinery, and adjust and maintain, processing units and equipment which distil, filter, separate, heat or refine chemicals. It includes controlling the operation of chemical production plant and equipment used in processing chemicals and/or minerals and in manufacturing a range of products such as drugs, textiles, ammunition and plastics

Tasks: 

Job activities and tasks include:

  • operating electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize physical and chemical processes for several processing units
  • adjusting equipment, valves, pumps, controls and process equipment
  • controlling the preparation, measuring and feeding of raw materials and processing agents such as catalysts and filtering media into plant
  • controlling process start-up and shut-down, troubleshooting and monitoring outside process equipment
  • verifying equipment for malfunctions, carrying out routine operating tests and arranging for maintenance
  • analyzing sample products, performing tests, recording data and writing production logs
Knowledge: 

Public Safety - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, regulations, standards and strategies to promote effective plant operations for the protection of people, commerce and property

  • Chemical processing plant operators use computers to report unusual incidents, malfunctioning equipment, or maintenance performed during their shifts
  • Coordination of Material Resources - Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work
  • Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications
  • 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
  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective production of chemical and related products
  • Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models
  • Chemical Plant Engineering Fundamentals - Knowledge of production processes including water, waste-water, composites and materials encompassing designing, building, and maintaining chemical production and process systems and equipment
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; Including troubleshooting and determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of oneself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action
  • Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance
  • Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems
  • Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents
  • Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience
  • Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
  • Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems
  • Time Management - Managing one?s own time and the time of others
  • Instructing - Teaching others how to do something
  • Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things
  • Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways
  • Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly measure and estimate exact positions
  • English (Technical) Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the engineering related technical English terminologies
  • Information Communications Technology - Knowledge and use of relevant engineering applications and programs
  • Team work or individual - job may require him/her to work alone or in conjunction with engineers, contractors, architects and scientists
  • Work Context: 

    May work in production areas that are noisy, hot, dusty and, at times, contain fumes. May work regular hours but on a rotating shift-work basis as these workplaces typically operate 24 hours seven days a week. New and developing occupational, health, safety and environmental laws are improving conditions in the workplace and include the introduction of automated remote control rooms and systems, dust and fume extracting machines, air-conditioning and ventilating systems. Work environment is generally spacious and well lit and more often conducted in control rooms/centres.

    Education: 

    Certificate in an engineering discipline, higher qualification or equivalent.!!Employers may also seek recent high school graduates for entry-level operator positions with a Secondary School Certificate particularly good results in physics, science and maths.!

    Required Work Experience: 

    3 - 4 years and above.

    Probable Employers: 

    Abu Dhabi Farms Service Centre, Municipality of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Food Control Authority

    Occupational Size: 
    More than 5,000 and less than 30,000
    Expected Earnings: 

    Higher than the industry average

    Projected Growth: 
    Excellent
    Alternate Titles: 

    Examples of job titles:
    Chemical-heat-treating-plant operator - Chemical-filtering and separating equipment operator - Chemical-still and reactor operator - Chemical process technician
    Examples of some related occupations:
    Petroleum and natural gas refinery operators - Chemical products plant and machine operators - Process technician - Process Plant Equipment Operator

    UAE Industry Groups: 
    Industrial
    International Careers(ISCO): 
    Similar O*NET Careers (USA) : 
    Source Of Info: 
    Occupations and Careers Handbook for UAE Nationals(Copyright NQA ). Referenced from New York University, Abu Dhabhi