Occupation · SOC 51-9051
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders
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.
Median wage
$47,010
$35,010–$66,190
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
16,160
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
0 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringMonitoringOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingQuality Control Analysis
Knowledge areas
MechanicalProduction and ProcessingPublic Safety and Security
Technology & tools
Inventory management softwareIndustrial control softwareSpreadsheet softwareWord processing software
Representative 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.Transport materials and products to and from work areas, manually or using carts, handtrucks, or hoists.Stop equipment and clear blockages or jams, using fingers, wire, or hand tools.Load equipment receptacles or conveyors with material to be processed, by hand or using hoists.Remove products from equipment, manually or using hoists, and prepare them for storage, shipment, or additional processing.Calculate amounts of materials to be loaded into furnaces, adjusting amounts as necessary for specific conditions.Melt or refine metal before casting, calculating required temperatures, and observe metal color, adjusting controls as necessary to maintain required temperatures.Weigh or measure specified amounts of ingredients or materials for processing, using devices such as scales and calipers.Direct crane operators and crew members to load vessels with materials to be processed.Feed fuel, such as coal and coke, into fireboxes or onto conveyors, and remove ashes from furnaces, using shovels and buckets.Replace worn or defective equipment parts, using hand tools.Clean, lubricate, and adjust equipment, using scrapers, solvents, air hoses, oil, and hand tools.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Equipment gauges and panel lights — monitor under direct supervision to detect basic deviations from normal operating standards in a production facility.Control panels and activation switches — press and adjust according to step-by-step instructions to start furnace, kiln, or oven equipment under close guidance.Work orders and production instructions — read and interpret with supervisor assistance to identify assigned tasks and basic process specifications on the shop floor.Gauge readings and shift production data — record in log books using provided templates under the direction of an experienced operator.Material samples — collect from processing lines and deliver to the laboratory for testing under direct supervisor instruction.Carts, handtrucks, and hoists — use to transport raw materials and finished products to and from work areas following established safety procedures.Equipment malfunctions and process irregularities — recognize and report promptly to a supervisor or lead operator during a production shift.Verbal instructions and safety briefings — listen and respond to attentively to ensure correct equipment startup and shutdown sequences are followed.Basic mechanical components of furnaces, kilns, and dryers — identify by name and describe function during on-the-job orientation training.Personal protective equipment and facility safety rules — apply consistently when working near high-temperature or high-pressure processing equipment.
developing
Furnace and kiln operating controls — press, adjust, and regulate routinely with reduced oversight to maintain temperature and process parameters within specification.Gauge readings, test results, and production totals — record accurately in log books and basic spreadsheet software at the end of each shift.Work orders and process specification sheets — read and interpret independently to determine production schedules and equipment setup requirements.Processed substance samples — examine visually and perform basic field tests to verify conformance to quality standards before releasing product.Equipment malfunctions and production deviations — confer with supervisors and co-operators to communicate findings and coordinate timely corrective actions.Industrial control software interfaces — navigate to monitor real-time process data and make minor setpoint adjustments during routine production runs.Material handling equipment including carts and hoists — operate safely and efficiently to move materials across work areas with minimal supervision.Recurring process problems such as temperature drift or inconsistent batch quality — apply familiar troubleshooting steps to restore normal operation.Production log entries and incident notes — draft using word processing software to maintain clear shift records for supervisor review.Inventory management software — use to track raw material consumption and finished goods movement within the production department.
proficient
Full equipment operating cycle for furnaces, kilns, ovens, dryers, and kettles — execute autonomously from startup through shutdown while optimizing process parameters for product quality.Complex or non-routine equipment malfunctions — diagnose using critical thinking and mechanical knowledge, then implement corrective actions to minimize production downtime.Sample inspection and field-testing results — analyze and interpret against tight quality specifications, making independent decisions on batch acceptance or rejection.Multi-step work orders and engineering change notices — read, interpret, and translate into precise control adjustments across varied product lines and process chemistries.Shift production performance data — compile, review, and cross-reference log books and spreadsheet records to identify trends and recurring quality or efficiency issues.Operator-to-supervisor communications regarding process deviations — initiate clearly and precisely, providing data-supported assessments that enable rapid management decisions.Industrial control software and instrumentation systems — use proficiently to monitor, adjust, and log process variables across the full scope of thermal processing equipment.Safety and regulatory compliance requirements — apply consistently when managing high-temperature processing environments, identifying hazards before they escalate.Process improvement opportunities — identify through ongoing operations monitoring and propose data-backed recommendations to supervisors for enhanced throughput or quality.Cross-shift handover information — communicate verbally and in writing with accuracy and clarity to ensure seamless continuity of production operations.
advanced
Departmental operating standards and written procedures for thermal processing equipment — develop, update, and champion adoption across the production workforce.New and less-experienced operators — coach and mentor on control operation, quality sampling, log-keeping, and safety practices within a live production environment.Facility-wide production schedules and equipment utilization — evaluate and optimize to balance throughput targets with quality standards and maintenance windows.Systemic or recurring equipment performance problems — lead root-cause analysis efforts, coordinating with maintenance, engineering, and supervisory teams to implement lasting solutions.Quality control frameworks for processed batches — design and refine, establishing sample-testing protocols and acceptance criteria aligned with industry and customer specifications.Capital equipment selection and process upgrade decisions — inform with expert operational knowledge, providing front-line insight to engineers and plant managers during evaluation.Safety culture and hazard-prevention initiatives — lead within the thermal processing area by modeling cautiousness, reinforcing compliance, and driving continuous improvement in incident rates.Inventory management and production reporting systems — oversee departmental use of software tools, ensuring data integrity and alignment with organizational production tracking requirements.Cross-functional communication between production, quality, and logistics teams — facilitate to resolve escalated process or delivery issues at an organizational level.Workforce training programs for furnace, kiln, and thermal processing operations — design and deliver, translating O*NET competency requirements into structured on-the-job learning pathways.
Also known as
227 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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