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51-9195.05 · Task explorer

Potters, Manufacturing: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Operate production machines such as pug mill, jigger machine, or potter's wheel to process clay in manufacture of ceramic, pottery and stoneware products.

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This source lists 23 tasks, including 18 marked Core and 5 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2020.

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23 tasks shown

Core · Task 21210 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Operate gas or electric kilns to fire pottery pieces.

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Core · Task 21211 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Mix and apply glazes to pottery pieces, using tools, such as spray guns.

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Core · Task 15118 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Raise and shape clay into wares, such as vases and pitchers, on revolving wheels, using hands, fingers, and thumbs.

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Core · Task 15115 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Adjust wheel speeds according to the feel of the clay as pieces enlarge and walls become thinner.

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Core · Task 15117 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Position balls of clay in centers of potters' wheels, and start motors or pump treadles with feet to revolve wheels.

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Core · Task 15122 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Move pieces from wheels so that they can dry.

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Core · Task 15119 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Prepare work for sale or exhibition, and maintain relationships with retail, pottery, art, and resource networks that can facilitate sale or exhibition of work.

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Core · Task 21212 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Attach handles to pottery pieces.

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Core · Task 15114 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Press thumbs into centers of revolving clay to form hollows, and press on the inside and outside of emerging clay cylinders with hands and fingers, gradually raising and shaping clay to desired forms and sizes.

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Core · Task 21213 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Pack and ship pottery to stores or galleries for retail sale.

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Core · Task 15120 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Smooth surfaces of finished pieces, using rubber scrapers and wet sponges.

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Core · Task 15123 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Pull wires through bases of articles and wheels to separate finished pieces.

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Core · Task 21214 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Design spaces to display pottery for sale.

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Core · Task 15127 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Verify accuracy of shapes and sizes of objects, using calipers and templates.

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Core · Task 15124 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Examine finished ware for defects and measure dimensions, using rule and thickness gauge.

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Core · Task 15126 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Maintain supplies of tools, equipment, and materials, and order additional supplies as needed.

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Core · Task 15131 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Operate pug mills to blend and extrude clay.

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Core · Task 15125 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Perform test-fires of pottery to determine how to achieve specific colors and textures.

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Supplemental · Task 15129 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Start machine units and conveyors and observe lights and gauges on panel board to verify operational efficiency.

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Supplemental · Task 15128 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Operate drying chambers to dry or finish molded ceramic ware.

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Supplemental · Task 15130 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Adjust pressures, temperatures, and trimming tool settings as required.

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Supplemental · Task 15121 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Design clay forms and molds, and decorations for forms.

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Supplemental · Task 15133 · 08/2020 · Incumbent

Teach pottery classes.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.