Chemical technicians conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.

  • Conduct chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, or gaseous materials.
  • Maintain, clean, or sterilize laboratory instruments or equipment.
  • Set up and conduct chemical experiments, tests, and analyses, using techniques such as chromatography, spectroscopy, physical or chemical separation techniques, or microscopy.
  • Monitor product quality to ensure compliance with standards and specifications.
  • Prepare chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized formulas, or create experimental formulas.
  • Provide and maintain a safe work environment by participating in safety programs, committees, or teams and by conducting laboratory or plant safety audits.
  • Provide technical support or assistance to chemists or engineers.
  • Train new employees on topics such as the proper operation of laboratory equipment.
  • Order and inventory materials to maintain supplies.
  • Compile and interpret results of tests and analyses.
  • Develop or conduct programs of sampling and analysis to maintain quality standards of raw materials, chemical intermediates, or products.
  • Write technical reports or prepare graphs or charts to document experimental results.
  • Direct or monitor other workers producing chemical products.
  • Design or fabricate experimental apparatus to develop new products or processes.
  • Operate experimental pilot plants, assisting with experimental design.
  • Develop new chemical engineering processes or production techniques.
Work Context
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets — 99% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 86% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — 69% responded "Extremely important".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 89% responded "Every day".
  • Importance of Repeating Same Tasks — 53% responded "Extremely important".
  • Electronic Mail — 62% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 60% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Evaluate quality of materials or products.
  • Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
  • Set up laboratory or field equipment.
  • Analyze chemical compounds or substances.
  • Interpret research or operational data.
  • Prepare compounds or solutions for products or testing.
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Knowledge

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 methods.
Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

Science
  • Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
  • Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Information Ordering
  • The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Object or component oriented development software
  • C++ Hot Technology
  • Python Hot Technology
  • Oracle Java Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
  • Structured query language SQL Hot Technology
  • Oracle software Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology
  • Database software
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • SAP Hot Technology
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