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Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend continuous flow or vat-type equipment; filter presses; shaker screens; centrifuges; condenser tubes; precipitating, fermenting, or evaporating tanks; scrubbing towers; or batch stills. These machines extract, sort, or separate liquids, gases, or solids from other materials to recover a refined product. Includes dairy processing equipment operators.

How does this connect to your interests? →

A look at the work

  • Monitor material flow or instruments, such as temperature or pressure gauges, indicators, or meters, to ensure optimal processing conditions.
  • Inspect machines or equipment for hazards, operating efficiency, malfunctions, wear, or leaks.
  • Set up or adjust machine controls to regulate conditions such as material flow, temperature, or pressure.
  • Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
  • Operate machines to process materials in compliance with applicable safety, energy, or environmental regulations.
  • Test samples to determine viscosity, acidity, specific gravity, or degree of concentration, using test equipment such as viscometers, pH meters, or hydrometers.
  • Maintain logs of instrument readings, test results, or shift production for entry in computer databases.
  • Communicate processing instructions to other workers.

A selection of source-listed tasks; duties vary by role and employer.

Interests involved in this work

These source scores describe occupational work activities. They are separate from your personal test results.

Hands-on

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

6.3 / 7

Investigative

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

2.3 / 7

Creative

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.0 / 7

Helping people

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.1 / 7

Enterprising

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.1 / 7

Organizing

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

4.5 / 7

Skills to explore

Source-reported importance on a 1–5 scale. Try a course, project or conversation to learn what these skills involve.

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

2015-07

3.8 / 5

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

2015-07

3.1 / 5

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

2015-07

3.1 / 5

Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

2015-07

3.1 / 5

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

2015-07

3.1 / 5

Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

2015-07

3.0 / 5

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

2015-07

3.0 / 5

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

2015-07

3.0 / 5

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.

2015-07

3.0 / 5

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

2015-07

2.9 / 5

Plan a small next step

Talk to someone doing this work, look for a supervised activity, and explore the subjects that interest you. Admission, licensing and current program requirements should be confirmed with the relevant institutions.

Source preparation category: Job Zone 2 of 5 · 2026-08. This category describes typical preparation, not your eligibility.

Related study fields

Source crosswalk connections are research leads, not required qualifications.

Brewing Science →

Viticulture and Enology →

Zymology/Fermentation Science →

Explore all related study fields →

Source & methodology

O*NET-SOC code 51-9012.00 · Database 31.0 · Retrieved Oct 14, 2026. Dates on individual observations describe their source periods.

How interest exploration matching works →

Data: O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. StudyIndex normalizes the presentation and adds exploration features; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions.