# Biofuels Processing Technicians

> Calculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels and monitor production process. Perform, and keep records of, plant maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-8099.01
- **Summary:** Calculate, measure, load, mix, and process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels and monitor production process. Perform, and keep records of, plant maintenance, repairs, and safety inspections.

## Aliases

- Biofuels Processing Technician
- Ethanol Operator
- Process Operator
- Production Operator
- Board Operator
- Chemical Operator
- Mash Preparatory Operator
- Process Technician
- Biodiesel Process Control Technician
- Biodiesel Processing Technician
- Biodiesel Production Associate
- Biodiesel Production Technician

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monitor batch, continuous flow, or hybrid biofuels production processes. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Operate valves, pumps, engines, or generators to control and adjust biofuels production. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Monitor and record biofuels processing data. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Collect biofuels samples and perform routine laboratory tests or analyses to assess biofuels quality. | Core | 4.A.2.a.1.e |
| Operate equipment, such as a centrifuge, to extract biofuels products and secondary by-products or reusable fractions. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Process refined feedstock with additives in fermentation or reaction process vessels. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.m |
| Operate chemical processing equipment for the production of biofuels. | Core | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Monitor and record flow meter performance. | Core | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Inspect biofuels plant or processing equipment regularly, recording or reporting damage and mechanical problems. | Core | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Measure and monitor raw biofuels feedstock. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Preprocess feedstock in preparation for physical, chemical, or biological fuel production processes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.m |
| Calculate, measure, load, or mix refined feedstock used in biofuels production. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Measure ingredients or substances to be used in production processes. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production. | 4.A.2.b.1.h |
| Load materials into production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Operate biomass or biofuel production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.g |
| Operate pumping systems or equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.b |
| Prepare biological feedstock for physical, chemical, or biological processing. | 4.A.3.a.2.m |
| Evaluate quality of materials or products. | 4.A.2.a.1.e |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of water, cleaning solutions, or other liquids. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Collect samples of materials or products for testing. | 4.A.3.a.2.b |
| Inspect sustainable energy production facilities or equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.g |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs. | 4.A.4.a.2.g |
| Measure stock or liquid levels in sustainable fuel production systems. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Monitor biofuel production operations. | 4.A.1.a.2.b |
| Clean work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Direct operational or production activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Maintain sustainable energy production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Replace worn equipment components. | 4.A.3.b.4.c |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.96 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.88 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.75 |
| Mechanical | knowledge | 3.53 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3.5 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 3.5 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 3.5 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3.5 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.5 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3.5 |
| English Language | knowledge | 3.42 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 3.39 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3.38 |
| Quality Control Analysis | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.38 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3.38 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3.38 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.38 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3.38 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.38 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.38 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.38 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3.38 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.38 |
| Visual Color Discrimination | ability | 3.38 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3.38 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3.25 |
| Equipment Maintenance | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Written Expression | ability | 3.25 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.25 |
| Chemistry | knowledge | 3.21 |
| Computers and Electronics | knowledge | 3.18 |
| Writing | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Coordination | transferable_skill | 3.12 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3.12 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 3.12 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| Python | Object or component oriented development software | yes | no |
| R | Object or component oriented development software | yes | no |
| SAS | Analytical or scientific software | yes | no |
| Tableau | Business intelligence and data analysis software | yes | no |
| Computerized maintenance management system CMMS | Facilities management software | no | no |
| Data visualization software | Analytical or scientific software | no | no |
| Digital control systems DCS | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Human machine interface HMI software | Industrial control software | no | no |
| Inventory control software | Inventory management software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 5 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.87 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.82 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 4.8 |
| Contact With Others | 4.73 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.67 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 4.67 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.45 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 4.45 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.39 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 4.34 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.33 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 4.3 |
| Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions | 4.28 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 4.27 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 4.24 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 4.19 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 4.08 |
| Exposed to High Places | 4.07 |
| Consequence of Error | 4.06 |
| Time Pressure | 3.93 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.89 |
| Telephone Conversations | 3.86 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.69 |
| In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment | 3.66 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 3.65 |
| Outdoors, Under Cover | 3.64 |
| Degree of Automation | 3.57 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.49 |
| Written Letters and Memos | 3.4 |
| E-Mail | 3.33 |
| Spend Time Standing | 3.31 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 3.3 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.17 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.17 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.15 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 3.12 |
| In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment | 2.98 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.96 |
| Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People | 2.94 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 71.18 |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 18.07 |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.69 |
| Some College Courses | 3.21 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 1.85 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 5.87 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 5.33 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 3.28 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 2.13 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1 |
| Social | career_interest_type | 1 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-8013.03 | role-51-8013-03 | Biomass Plant Technicians | Primary-Short |
| 51-8091.00 | role-51-8091-00 | Chemical Plant and System Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-8093.00 | role-51-8093-00 | Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers | Primary-Short |
| 51-8013.00 | role-51-8013-00 | Power Plant Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-8031.00 | role-51-8031-00 | Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | Primary-Short |
| 51-8092.00 | role-51-8092-00 | Gas Plant Operators | Primary-Long |
| 51-9012.00 | role-51-9012-00 | Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 51-8013.04 | role-51-8013-04 | Hydroelectric Plant Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 51-9011.00 | role-51-9011-00 | Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | Primary-Long |
| 49-9099.01 | role-49-9099-01 | Geothermal Technicians | Primary-Long |
| 11-3051.03 | role-11-3051-03 | Biofuels Production Managers | Supplemental |
| 11-9041.01 | role-11-9041-01 | Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Energy & Natural Resources | energy-natural-resources |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs


## Market

- **Median Wage:** 61710
- **Mean Wage:** 64490
- **Pct10Wage:** 40250
- **Pct25Wage:** 47860
- **Pct75Wage:** 76910
- **Pct90Wage:** 92750
- **Employment:** 15950
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 6640 | 56980 | 5.03 |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 1760 | 61950 | 29.67 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 1210 | 53140 | 1.44 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1050 | 49640 | 1.68 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 390 | 93150 | 6.51 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 240 | 90450 | 0.22 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 150 | 128190 | 20.34 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 150 | 91210 | 1.25 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 120 | 43660 | 0.44 |
| 62 | 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | Sector | 70 | 69290 |  |
| 61 | 61 | Educational Services | Sector | 60 | 50840 |  |
| 72 | 72 | Accommodation and Food Services | Sector | 40 | 62650 |  |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 21 | 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | Sector | 1760 | 29.67 |
| 221112 | 221112 | Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | National industry | 150 | 20.34 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 390 | 6.51 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 6640 | 5.03 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1050 | 1.68 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 1210 | 1.44 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 150 | 1.25 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 120 | 0.44 |
- **Count:** 14

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.86 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -0.6702387 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.3448496 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -0.8108405 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 19
- **Percentile:** 16
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 29 | felten_aioe |
| 24 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 4 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -0.6702387 | 29 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.1891891891891892 | 24 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.02637506699890347 | 4 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.86
- **Percentile:** 72
- **Band:** High
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0
- **Beta:** 0.0945945945945946
- **Gamma:** 0.1891891891891892

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** 1.6
- **Growth Percentile:** 37
- **Direction:** About average
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 1.6
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 23
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 16.3
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 16.6

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 19
- **Skills:** 34
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 11
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** b239c7a80a6bbd35