Geological Technicians
Assist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.
Technology Tools
Key Tasks
- Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
- Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
- Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
- Operate or adjust equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data.
- Plan and direct activities of workers who operate equipment to collect data.
- Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
- Set up or direct set-up of instruments used to collect geological data.
- Record readings in order to compile data used in prospecting for oil or gas.
- Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
- Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting.
- Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
- Create photographic recordings of information, using equipment.
- Measure geological characteristics used in prospecting for oil or gas, using measuring instruments.
- Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information.
- Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases.
- Participate in the evaluation of possible mining locations.
- Assemble, maintain, or distribute information for library or record systems.
- Assess the environmental impacts of development projects on subsurface materials.
- Evaluate and interpret core samples and cuttings, and other geological data used in prospecting for oil or gas.
- Supervise well exploration, drilling activities, or well completions.
- Inspect engines for wear or defective parts, using equipment or measuring devices.
- Collaborate with hydrogeologists to evaluate groundwater or well circulation.
- Apply new technologies, such as improved seismic imaging techniques, to locate untapped oil or natural gas deposits.
- Collect geological data from potential geothermal energy plant sites.
- Compile data used to address environmental issues, such as the suitability of potential landfill sites.
- Evaluate and interpret seismic data with the aid of computers.
- Conduct geophysical surveys of potential sites for wind farms or solar installations to determine their suitability.
- Collect data on underground areas, such as reservoirs, that could be used in carbon sequestration operations.
Skills
Knowledge
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Abilities
Work Activities
Work Context
How frequently does your job require you to use E-mail?
92%
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
88%
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?
87%
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working indoors in an environmentally controlled environment (like a warehouse with air conditioning)?
85%
Telephone Conversations
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
82%
Freedom to Make Decisions
How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
79%
Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
How much freedom does the worker have in determining the tasks, priorities, or goals of the job?
76%
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
How important is it to work with or contribute to a work group or team in this job?
75%
Importance of Repeating Same Tasks
How important are continuous, repetitive, physical activities (like key entry) or mental activities (like checking entries in a ledger) to performing this job?
68%
Contact With Others
How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
65%
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer?
63%
Time Pressure
How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?
63%
Spend Time Sitting
How much does this job require sitting?
62%
Frequency of Decision Making
How often is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?
58%
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?
57%
Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities
How important is it to coordinate or lead others (not as a supervisor or team leader) in accomplishing work activities in this job?
55%
Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers
How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers?
55%
Written Letters and Memos
How frequently does your job require written letters and memos?
55%
Health and Safety of Other Workers
How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
52%
Consequence of Error
How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not easily correctable?
51%
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
50%
Level of Competition
To what extent does this job require the worker to compete or to be aware of competitive pressures?
48%
Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
46%
Exposed to Contaminants
How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?
44%
Physical Proximity
To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?
44%
Spend Time Standing
How much does this job require standing?
44%
Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
How important is it to deal with external customers (as in retail sales) or the public in general (as in police work) in this job?
43%
Degree of Automation
How automated is the job?
42%
Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
42%
Exposed to Hazardous Conditions
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous conditions?
39%
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or operate enclosed equipment (like a car)?
39%
Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?
39%
Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
38%
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment
How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?
36%
Conflict Situations
How frequently are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job?
35%
Dealing With Unpleasant, Angry, or Discourteous People
How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?
33%
Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures
How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
32%
Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions
How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?
30%
Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings
How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?
29%
Spend Time Walking or Running
How much does this job require walking or running?
28%
Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection
How often does this job require wearing specialized protective or safety equipment such as breathing apparatus, safety harness, full protection suits, or radiation protection?
26%
Outdoors, Under Cover
How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (like in an open shed)?
24%
Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions
How often does this job require working in cramped work spaces that requires getting into awkward positions?
23%
Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment
How important is it to this job that the pace is determined by the speed of equipment or machinery? (This does not refer to keeping busy at all times on this job.)
22%
Exposed to Radiation
How often does this job require exposure to radiation?
21%
In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment
How often does this job require working in an open vehicle or operating equipment (like a tractor)?
20%
Public Speaking
How frequently does your job require public speaking (one speaker with an audience)?
20%
Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body
How much does this job require bending or twisting your body?
19%
Exposed to High Places
How often does this job require exposure to high places?
17%
Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling
How much does this job require kneeling, crouching, stooping or crawling?
15%
Exposed to Whole Body Vibration
How often does this job require exposure to whole body vibration (like operating a jackhammer or earth moving equipment)?
13%
Spend Time Keeping or Regaining Balance
How much does this job require keeping or regaining your balance?
13%
Dealing with Violent or Physically Aggressive People
How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals?
10%
Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles
How much does this job require climbing ladders, scaffolds, poles, etc.?
10%
Exposed to Disease or Infections
How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections?
2%
Interests
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, t
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or hum
Investigative
Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the f
Social
Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.
Artistic
Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts,
Enterprising
Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertis
Work Styles
Work Values
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