MAJOR CODE:353

Chemical Operator Technology, AAS, prepares students to be employed as operators in the process industry. A chemical process operator works in the safe production, refining and transfer of various chemicals in three states of matter - solid, liquid, and gas. Production is carried out in reactors and converters. Refining is done in distillation columns, filter presses, separators and other types of equipment. Chemicals are transferred through pipelines to shipping containers or storage tanks. Chemical operators must be able to solve simple math problems and be able to run lab tests to assure quality products are being made.

In addition to General Education Outcomes, graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Follow conventional industrial safety and communication practices
2. Interpret data from gauges, instruments, computer displays, log books, and laboratory analysis data.
3. Perform basic maintenance on plant equipment
4. Explain basic plant processes, equipment and operations
5. Make changes in pressure, flow, temperature, level and other parameters by operating control devices including valves, switches, and levers.
6. Recognize unusual conditions and troubleshoot problems in the plant.

Job Titles: Chemical Operator, Chlorination Operator, Multiskill Operator, Outside Operator, Process Operator, Production Operator, Production Technician, Spray Dry Operator, Vessel Operator

Wage and Employment Trends:

• Median Salary $66,000 (Onet, 2017)
• Projected Growth 20,000 by 2024 (Onet, 2017)

CIP: 41.0301 NCES CIP Title Associated with Major: Chemical Technology/Technician.