Pen or Pencil Assembly Machine Operator Career

*A job as a Pen or Pencil Assembly Machine Operator falls under the broader career category of Machine Feeders and Offbearers. The information on this page will generally apply to all careers in this category but may not specifically apply to this career title.

Job Description for Machine Feeders and Offbearers : Feed materials into or remove materials from machines or equipment that is automatic or tended by other workers.


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Machine Feeders and Offbearer Career

What Machine Feeders and Offbearers do:

  • Clean and maintain machinery, equipment, and work areas to ensure proper functioning and safe working conditions.
  • Record production and operational data, such as amount of materials processed.
  • Inspect materials and products for defects, and to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Push dual control buttons and move controls to start, stop, or adjust machinery and equipment.
  • Weigh or measure materials or products to ensure conformance to specifications.
  • Identify and mark materials, products, and samples, following instructions.
  • Transfer materials and products to and from machinery and equipment, using industrial trucks or hand trucks.
  • Fasten, package, or stack materials and products, using hand tools and fastening equipment.
  • Load materials and products into machines and equipment, or onto conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.
  • Remove materials and products from machines and equipment, and place them in boxes, trucks or conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.
  • Open and close gates of belt and pneumatic conveyors on machines that are fed directly from preceding machines.
  • Add chemicals, solutions, or ingredients to machines or equipment as required by the manufacturing process.
  • Shovel or scoop materials into containers, machines, or equipment for processing, storage, or transport.

What work activities are most important?

Importance Activities

Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

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.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Holland Code Chart for a Machine Feeders and Offbearer