Occupation Profile

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Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders
(SOC Code : 51-4051)
in California

Operate or tend furnaces, such as gas, oil, coal, electric-arc or electric induction, open-hearth, or oxygen furnaces, to melt and refine metal before casting or to produce specified types of steel. Exclude "Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic" (51-4191).

Employers usually expect an employee in this occupation to be able to do the job after Moderate-term on-the-job training (1-12 months) .

Occupational Wages[Top]
AreaYearPeriodHourly MeanHourly by Percentile
25thMedian75th
California 20231st Qtr$23.48$19.11$21.92$28.93

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Occupational Projections of Employment (also called "Outlook" or "Demand")[Top]
Projections for this occupation in California are not available.

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Industries Employing This Occupation (click on Industry Title to View Employers List)[Top]
Industry Title
Number of Employers in State of California
Percent of Total
Employment for Occupation in State of California
Primary Metal Manufacturing 64188.5%

About Staffing Patterns
 

Data for Training Programs not available.

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About This Occupation (from O*NET - The Occupation Information Network)[Top]
Top Tasks (Specific duties and responsibilities of this job.)
Draw smelted metal samples from furnaces or kettles for analysis, and calculate types and amounts of materials needed to ensure that materials meet specifications.
Drain, transfer, or remove molten metal from furnaces, and place it into molds, using hoists, pumps, or ladles.
Record production data, and maintain production logs.
Operate controls to move or discharge metal workpieces from furnaces.
Weigh materials to be charged into furnaces, using scales.
Regulate supplies of fuel and air, or control flow of electric current and water coolant to heat furnaces and adjust temperatures.
Observe air and temperature gauges or metal color and fluidity, and turn fuel valves or adjust controls to maintain required temperatures.
Inspect furnaces and equipment to locate defects and wear.
Observe operations inside furnaces, using television screens, to ensure that problems do not occur.
Remove impurities from the surface of molten metal, using strainers.

More Tasks for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders


Top Skills used in this Job
Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, 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.
Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time Management - Managing one`s own time and the time of others.
Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

More Skills for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders


Top Abilities (Attributes of the person that influence performance in this job.)
Manual Dexterity - The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Control Precision - The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

More Abilities for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders


Top Work Values (Aspects of this job that create satisfaction.)
Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees.
Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions.

More WorkValues for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders


Top Interests (The types of activities someone in this job would like.)
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

More Interests for Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders

 
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