Conveyor Operator / Tender

Control or tend conveyors or conveyor systems that move materials or products to and from stockpiles, processing stations, departments, or vehicles. May control speed and routing of materials or products.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Chipper Operator; Conveyor Operator; Conveyor Tender; Flumer; Machine Operator; Package Line Operator; Packaging Line Operator; Process Line Operator; Process Operator; Strapper Operator

Tasks

• Stop equipment or machinery and clear jams, using poles, bars, and hand tools, or remove damaged materials from conveyors.
• Load, unload, or adjust materials or products on conveyors by hand, by using lifts, hoists, and scoops, or by opening gates, chutes, or hoppers.
• Observe conveyor operations and monitor lights, dials, and gauges to maintain specified operating levels and to detect equipment malfunctions.
• Observe packages moving along conveyors to identify packages, detect defective packaging, and perform quality control.
• Position deflector bars, gates, chutes, or spouts to divert flow of materials from one conveyor onto another conveyor.
• Clean, sterilize, and maintain equipment, machinery, and work stations, using hand tools, shovels, brooms, chemicals, hoses, and lubricants.
• Record production data such as weights, types, quantities, and storage locations of materials, as well as equipment performance problems and downtime.
• Inform supervisors of equipment malfunctions that need to be addressed.

Knowledge

• English Language
• Mechanical
• Production and Processing
• Public Safety and Security

Skills

• Monitoring
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Control Precision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Oral Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Multilimb Coordination
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Near Vision
• Flexibility of Closure
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Static Strength
• Far Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Written Expression
• Information Ordering
• Visualization
• Finger Dexterity
• Rate Control
• Trunk Strength
• Depth Perception
• Hearing Sensitivity