Biofuels Processing Technicians
Work on various parts of the production of biofuels, such as ethanol.
Quick Facts
Wages: |
Median wages for the broader occupation, Plant and System Operators, All Other, are
$34.36
/ hour.
|
Education: |
|
On the Job: |
Typical Work Tasks
- Monitor biofuel production operations.
- Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- Record operational or production data.
- Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
Read more about the job
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Job Title Examples: |
Biodiesel Processing Technician
Biofuels Production Technician
Biomass Plant Technician
See more job title examples
|
View All Career Information
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
On the Job
Biofuels Processing Technicians are involved in producing biofuels, such as ethanol or biodiesel. Their job involves calculating, mixing, or processing refined feedstock (such as corn). They monitor the production process, and operate large equipment that processes chemicals.
Physical Demands
This career requires physical strength.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Monitor biofuel production operations.
- Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.
- Record operational or production data.
- Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
- Operate biomass or biofuel production equipment.
- Operate pumping systems or equipment.
- Inspect sustainable energy production facilities or equipment.
- Clean work areas.
- Load materials into production equipment.
- Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids.
Typical Working Conditions
- Wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, or life jackets.
- Having face-to-face discussions.
- Exposure to contaminants (like gases or odors).
- Exposure to hazardous conditions.
- Working with a group or team.
- Working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Making decisions that impact co-workers or company results.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- A work pace that is determined by the speed of equipment.
- Using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Education & Credentials
This is a new or emerging specialty. The information on this page is based on the broader career that this specialty is part of,
Plant and System Operators, All Other.
Educational Requirements
Not available
Education level attained (national data)
Education Level Attained (national data)Education Level Attained | Percentage of workers in this occupation |
Less than high school diploma | 7.3 |
High school diploma or equivalent | 39.7 |
Some college, no degree | 28.9 |
Associate degree | 13.8 |
Bachelors degree | 8.5 |
Masters degree | 1.7 |
Doctoral (Ph.D) or professional degree | 0.1 |
Work Experience and Training Requirements
Nationally, this career typically requires:
- No related work experience for entry.
- Moderate-term on-the-job training to become competent.
Transfer Options
Enrolling in a community college can be a great place to start your four-year degree. While all 31 Minnesota State community colleges,
technical colleges and universities offer all or part of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum
(a 40-credit package of general education courses accepted for transfer to other state colleges and universities, the University of Minnesota,
and some private colleges and universities), not all two-year colleges offer degrees intended to transfer to a four-year bachelor's degree.
If you plan to transfer to obtain a four-year bachelor's degree, it is important to know which degree path is right for you:
- Associate of Arts (AA) degrees offered at community colleges are designed to transfer into liberal arts four-year majors.
- Associate of Science (AS) and Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) degrees offered at community and technical colleges transfer into specific four-year majors and will likely require completing additional general education courses at a university.
- Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees offered at technical and community colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
- Diplomas and certificates offered at technical colleges are not designed to transfer. They lead to immediate entry into the workplace.
Talk to a transfer specialist as early as possible to determine the best associate degree for your goals. Be sure to review your Degree Audit Report (DARS) each semester to best prepare for transfer. Get more help understanding transfer using the tools below.
Helpful High School Courses
Examples of helpful classes that help you prepare for this career:
- Applied Math
- Blueprint Reading
- Computer Applications
- Drafting
- Electronics
- Geometry
- Industrial Technology
- Introduction to Business
- Physics
- Pre-Calculus
- Technical Writing
- Trigonometry
In Minnesota, your school may have developed a Program of Study in this career area.
A Program of Study is an academic and career plan developed by your high school to help move you towards a career
and college path. A Program of Study can help you:
- Select high school classes that prepare you for college and getting a job
- Understand how the classes you're taking in high school lead to a career
- Identify extra-curricular activities that are related to your career interest
- See what classes at your school offer early college credit that will save you time and money towards your college expenses
- Graduate from high school prepared for your next step toward the career you choose
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Skills & Knowledge
Most Important Skills for Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Monitoring Equipment—Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
- Reading—Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Operating Equipment—Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
- Speaking—Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Controlling Quality—Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- 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.
- Maintaining Equipment—Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
- Making Decisions—Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
- Monitoring Performance—Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Troubleshooting—Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Most Important Knowledge Areas for Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Mechanical—Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Chemistry—Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal m
- Production and Processing—Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Computers and Electronics—Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Engineering and Technology—Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
- Public Safety and Security—Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- English Language—Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Physics—Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
- Mathematics—Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
- Education and Training—Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Interests
Different careers may be a good fit for your personality or interests. This career is:
- 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.
- Conventional—Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Learn more about your interests. Take the MnCareers Interest Assessment.
Describe Your Skills
This is a new or emerging career specialty. Skill statements are still under development.
Careers that Use Similar Skills
This is a new or emerging career specialty. Information on similar careers is still under development.
View more careers in the Manufacturing cluster
View more careers in the Maintenance and Operations pathway
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
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Jobs
Real-time job data provided by Gartner TalentNeuron
Job Title Examples
Biodiesel Processing Technician,
Biofuels Production Technician,
Biomass Plant Technician,
Biodiesel Process Control Technician,
Biodiesel Production Associate,
Biodiesel Production Technician,
Biofuels Production Associate
Where Do Biofuels Processing Technicians Work?
Biofuels Processing Technicians often work in the following industries.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.