Pump Operator (except Wellhead Pumpers)

Tend, control, or operate power-driven, stationary, or portable pumps and manifold systems to transfer gases, oil, other liquids, slurries, or powdered materials to and from various vessels and processes.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Boom Pump Operator; Chemical Pumper; Day Light Relief Operator; Outside Operator; Pipeline Dispatch Operator; Pipeline Operator; Pump Operator; Pump Station Operator; Pumper; Tank Farm Operator

Tasks

• Monitor gauges and flowmeters and inspect equipment to ensure that tank levels, temperatures, chemical amounts, and pressures are at specified levels, reporting abnormalities as necessary.
• Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, stocks used, gauging results, and operating times.
• Plan movement of products through lines to processing, storage, and shipping units, using knowledge of interconnections and capacities of pipelines, valve manifolds, pumps, and tankage.
• Turn valves and start pumps to start or regulate flows of substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials.
• Communicate with other workers, using signals, radios, or telephones, to start and stop flows of materials or substances.
• Connect hoses and pipelines to pumps and vessels prior to material transfer, using hand tools.
• Tend vessels that store substances such as gases, liquids, slurries, or powdered materials, checking levels of substances by using calibrated rods or by reading mercury gauges and tank charts.
• Clean, lubricate, and repair pumps and vessels, using hand tools and equipment.
• Read operating schedules or instructions or receive verbal orders to determine amounts to be pumped.
• Test materials and solutions, using testing equipment.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
• Mechanical
• English Language
• Mathematics

Skills

• Monitoring
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking

Abilities

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