Production Operator Paper Manufacturing Careers
The production workers in the paper industry turn trees into paper that can be used for printing, turned into notepads or used to make paper plates and napkins. The job of turning pulp into paper is a highly specialized process that involves some manual labor and the work of monitoring and running heavy equipment in a production facility. Production operators have a variety of functional choices when pursuing a career in the industry.
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Barkers and Chippers
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Barkers and chippers work at the beginning stages of the paper production line, removing the bark and other foreign substances from the wood before it is put into the digester, where the pulp is made. They prepare the wood by cleaning it and cutting it into the 1-inch wood chips that start the process of making paper. These production line workers typically are required to have at least a high school diploma and some level of on-the-job training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2009, they earned a median wage between $16 and $17 per hour.
Environmental Engineers
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The manufacturing of paper from the pulp generated from trees sends a lot of byproducts into the environment due to waste and air pollution. Paper companies employ environmental engineers to help them monitor the waste situation and design solutions for controlling the problem. Environmental engineers have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in engineering and earn a median income of $74,000 per year as of 2008, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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Paper Machine Operators
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The paper machine operator uses computer equipment to flow pulp into the production machines as the process begins. She is also responsible for performing maintenance on the machine and monitoring it during the production cycle. Machine operators understand the inner workings of the equipment and can spot problems even when the computer diagnostics are not working. This position typically requires a high school diploma, while the job is learned through practical experience. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2009, paper machine operators had a median wage between $16 and $17 per hour.
Production Supervisors
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All along the production line, supervisors oversee the work of the employees and also monitor the equipment that makes the paper and then turns it into different types of finished products. Production supervisors deal with problems that arise during the process, and also work with staff schedules, production deadlines and budgets in their daily work. Many of the shift and production line supervisors in the paper industry came up through the ranks through hard work and earning promotions, though some have bachelor's degrees as well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2009, printing industry production supervisors earned a median wage of $27 per hour.
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References
- Photo Credit toilet paper image by martini from Fotolia.com
