51-8021.00Apprenticeship

Stationary Engineers & Boiler Operators

Operate or maintain stationary engines, boilers, or other mechanical equipment to provide utilities for buildings or industrial processes. Operate equipment such as steam engines, generators, motors, turbines, and steam boilers.

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Key Tasks

  • Operate or tend stationary engines, boilers, and auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, or air-conditioning equipment, to supply and maintain steam or heat for buildings, marine vessels, or pneumatic tools.
  • Activate valves to maintain required amounts of water in boilers, to adjust supplies of combustion air, and to control the flow of fuel into burners.
  • Monitor boiler water, chemical, and fuel levels, and make adjustments to maintain required levels.
  • Analyze problems and take appropriate action to ensure continuous and reliable operation of equipment and systems.
  • Observe and interpret readings on gauges, meters, and charts registering various aspects of boiler operation to ensure that boilers are operating properly.
  • Fire coal furnaces by hand or with stokers and gas- or oil-fed boilers, using automatic gas feeds or oil pumps.
  • Maintain daily logs of operation, maintenance, and safety activities, including test results, instrument readings, and details of equipment malfunctions and maintenance work.
  • Test boiler water quality or arrange for testing and take necessary corrective action, such as adding chemicals to prevent corrosion and harmful deposits.
  • Supervise the work of assistant stationary engineers, turbine operators, boiler tenders, or air conditioning and refrigeration operators and mechanics.
  • Monitor and inspect equipment, computer terminals, switches, valves, gauges, alarms, safety devices, and meters to detect leaks or malfunctions and to ensure that equipment is operating efficiently and safely.
  • Switch from automatic to manual controls and isolate equipment mechanically and electrically to allow for safe inspection and repair work.
  • Perform or arrange for repairs, such as complete overhauls, replacement of defective valves, gaskets, or bearings, or fabrication of new parts.
  • Adjust controls and/or valves on equipment to provide power, and to regulate and set operations of system or industrial processes.
  • Clean and lubricate boilers and auxiliary equipment and make minor adjustments as needed, using hand tools.
  • Develop operation, safety, and maintenance procedures or assist in their development.
  • Investigate and report on accidents.
  • Test electrical systems to determine voltages, using voltage meters.
  • Contact equipment manufacturers or appropriate specialists when necessary to resolve equipment problems.
  • Weigh, measure, and record fuel used.
  • Install burners and auxiliary equipment, using hand tools.
  • Receive instructions from steam engineers regarding steam plant and air compressor operations.
  • Operate mechanical hoppers and provide assistance in their adjustment and repair.
  • Check the air quality of ventilation systems and make adjustments to ensure compliance with mandated safety codes.
  • Provide assistance to plumbers in repairing or replacing water, sewer, or waste lines, and in daily maintenance activities.
  • Ignite fuel in burners, using torches or flames.

Skills

Operations Monitoring
75%
Operation and Control
60%
Repairing
56%
Troubleshooting
56%
Active Listening
56%
Equipment Maintenance
56%
Critical Thinking
56%
Reading Comprehension
53%
Active Learning
53%
Complex Problem Solving
53%
Monitoring
53%
Quality Control Analysis
53%
Coordination
53%
Judgment and Decision Making
53%
Speaking
50%
Time Management
50%
Writing
47%
Systems Evaluation
47%
Instructing
44%
Social Perceptiveness
44%
Systems Analysis
41%
Persuasion
38%
Equipment Selection
38%
Management of Personnel Resources
35%
Negotiation
35%
Science
31%
Mathematics
28%
Service Orientation
28%
Installation
28%
Learning Strategies
28%
Management of Material Resources
22%
Operations Analysis
16%
Management of Financial Resources
13%
Technology Design
13%
Programming
10%

Knowledge

Mechanical
77%
Chemistry
60%
Public Safety and Security
58%
Physics
55%
Engineering and Technology
54%
English Language
53%
Mathematics
52%
Computers and Electronics
52%
Production and Processing
52%
Building and Construction
49%
Administration and Management
48%
Education and Training
43%
Law and Government
41%
Design
41%
Communications and Media
35%
Administrative
34%
Telecommunications
32%
Transportation
29%
Personnel and Human Resources
25%
Psychology
22%
Biology
20%
Geography
18%
Customer and Personal Service
16%
Economics and Accounting
16%
Therapy and Counseling
12%
Sociology and Anthropology
11%
Philosophy and Theology
7%
Food Production
6%
Medicine and Dentistry
6%
Sales and Marketing
5%
History and Archeology
3%
Foreign Language
1%
Fine Arts
0%

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Abilities

Near Vision
72%
Problem Sensitivity
69%
Oral Comprehension
66%
Oral Expression
63%
Perceptual Speed
56%
Deductive Reasoning
56%
Inductive Reasoning
56%
Information Ordering
56%
Reaction Time
53%
Arm-Hand Steadiness
53%
Auditory Attention
53%
Category Flexibility
53%
Finger Dexterity
53%
Multilimb Coordination
53%
Control Precision
53%
Written Comprehension
53%
Selective Attention
53%
Manual Dexterity
53%
Far Vision
50%
Speech Clarity
50%
Speech Recognition
50%
Written Expression
50%
Hearing Sensitivity
47%
Visualization
47%
Flexibility of Closure
47%
Static Strength
44%
Time Sharing
44%
Visual Color Discrimination
44%
Fluency of Ideas
41%
Extent Flexibility
38%
Trunk Strength
38%
Response Orientation
38%
Speed of Closure
35%
Depth Perception
35%
Rate Control
35%
Originality
35%
Memorization
31%
Number Facility
28%
Stamina
28%
Mathematical Reasoning
28%
Peripheral Vision
28%
Spatial Orientation
28%
Dynamic Strength
28%
Wrist-Finger Speed
28%
Gross Body Coordination
28%
Sound Localization
25%
Gross Body Equilibrium
25%
Glare Sensitivity
25%
Explosive Strength
16%
Speed of Limb Movement
16%
Night Vision
13%
Dynamic Flexibility
0%

Work Activities

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
86%
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
85%
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
82%
Controlling Machines and Processes
80%
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
77%
Getting Information
76%
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
76%
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
76%
Processing Information
75%
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
72%
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
72%
Documenting/Recording Information
71%
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
69%
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
68%
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
67%
Working with Computers
67%
Handling and Moving Objects
66%
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
66%
Performing General Physical Activities
66%
Thinking Creatively
66%
Training and Teaching Others
66%
Analyzing Data or Information
64%
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
64%
Scheduling Work and Activities
63%
Coaching and Developing Others
63%
Developing and Building Teams
63%
Developing Objectives and Strategies
61%
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
57%
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
55%
Assisting and Caring for Others
54%
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
53%
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
52%
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
47%
Monitoring and Controlling Resources
46%
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
46%
Communicating with People Outside the Organization
44%
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
44%
Performing Administrative Activities
39%
Staffing Organizational Units
34%
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
33%
Selling or Influencing Others
30%

Work Context

Telephone Conversations

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

95%

Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

93%

Health and Safety of Other Workers

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

92%

Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?

92%

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

91%

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

90%

E-Mail

How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?

89%

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

89%

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

87%

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?

82%

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

82%

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

82%

Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?

81%

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

81%

Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals

How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?

80%

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

80%

Consequence of Error

How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?

77%

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

77%

Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers

How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?

76%

Exposed to Hazardous Equipment

How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

75%

Frequency of Decision Making

How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

74%

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?

74%

Written Letters and Memos

How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?

73%

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results

What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?

71%

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?

70%

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

69%

Exposed to High Places

How often does this job require exposure to high places?

67%

Duration of Typical Work Week

Number of hours typically worked in one week.

66%

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

65%

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

64%

Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions

How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?

60%

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

60%

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

60%

Physical Proximity

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

60%

Deal With External Customers or the Public in General

How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?

59%

Conflict Situations

How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?

57%

Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

57%

Spend Time Walking or Running

How much does this job require walking or running?

56%

Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment

How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)

53%

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?

52%

Level of Competition

To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?

50%

Degree of Automation

How automated is the job?

43%

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?

43%

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment

How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?

43%

Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions

How much does this job require making repetitive motions?

43%

Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body

How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?

41%

Spend Time Sitting

How much does this job require sitting?

40%

Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling

How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?

38%

Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance

How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?

36%

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection

How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?

35%

Exposed to Disease or Infections

How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?

34%

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles

How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?

34%

Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People

How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?

32%

Public Speaking

How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?

29%

Work Schedules

How regular are the work schedules for this job?

10%

Exposed to Whole Body Vibration

How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?

9%

Exposed to Radiation

How often does this job require exposure to radiation?

3%

Education

Post-secondary certificate

47%

High school diploma or equivalent

38%

Associate's degree

11%

Interests

Realistic

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t

100

Conventional

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum

61

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f

37

Enterprising

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis

4

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

2

Artistic

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,

0

Work Styles

Dependability
88%
Cautiousness
87%
Attention to Detail
86%
Integrity
61%
Stress Tolerance
56%
Perseverance
55%
Self-Control
42%
Achievement Orientation
39%
Self-Confidence
34%
Adaptability
31%
Intellectual Curiosity
30%
Initiative
25%
Cooperation
24%
Sincerity
9%
Leadership Orientation
4%
Optimism
4%

Work Values

Support
67%
Relationships
61%
Independence
45%
Working Conditions
45%
Achievement
28%
Recognition
22%

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