Occupation

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

Human Advantage 63%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.8 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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.

Also Known As: Acid Tester, Chalk Tester, Construction Material Technician, Construction Materials Field Technician (Construction Materials Field Tech), Construction Materials Technician (Construction Materials Tech), Construction Materials Testing Technician (Construction Materials Testing Tech), Core Inspector, Crude Tester +112 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
  2. Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
  3. Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
  4. Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
  5. Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
  6. Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
  7. Adjust or repair testing, electrical, or mechanical equipment or devices.
  8. Read and study reports in order to compile information and data for geological and geophysical prospecting.
  9. Interview individuals, and research public databases in order to obtain information.
  10. Plot information from aerial photographs, well logs, section descriptions, or other databases.
  11. Assemble, maintain, or distribute information for library or record systems.

Supplemental Tasks (12)

  1. Operate or adjust equipment or apparatus used to obtain geological data.
  2. Plan and direct activities of workers who operate equipment to collect data.
  3. Set up or direct set-up of instruments used to collect geological data.
  4. Record readings in order to compile data used in prospecting for oil or gas.
  5. Create photographic recordings of information, using equipment.
  6. Measure geological characteristics used in prospecting for oil or gas, using measuring instruments.
  7. Participate in the evaluation of possible mining locations.
  8. Assess the environmental impacts of development projects on subsurface materials.
  9. Evaluate and interpret core samples and cuttings, and other geological data used in prospecting for oil or gas.
  10. Supervise well exploration, drilling activities, or well completions.
  11. Inspect engines for wear or defective parts, using equipment or measuring devices.
  12. Collaborate with hydrogeologists to evaluate groundwater or well circulation.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • ESRI ArcGIS software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • SAP software

Software (36)

  • Clark Labs IDRISI Andes
  • Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
  • Database software
  • Dynamic Graphics EarthVision
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Geographic resources analysis support system GRASS
  • Global positioning system GPS software
  • Golden Software Surfer
  • Halliburton ProMAX
  • IHS Petra
  • Inventory management systems
  • Juniper Systems LandMark Mobile
  • Landmark Graphics GeoGraphix
  • Landmark SeisWorks
  • Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
  • Martin D Adamiker's TruFlite
  • Midland Valley 2DMove
  • Parallel Geoscience SPW
  • Petroleum Software Technologies
  • SAP BusinessObjects Crystal Reports
  • Schlumberger GeoFrame
  • Seismic Micro-Technology KINGDOM
  • Surface III
  • Techsia Techlog
  • petroWEB Global Seismic Library

Tools & Equipment (94)

  • 35 millimeter cameras
  • Abney levels
  • Automatic burets
  • Binocular polarizing microscopes
  • Calorimeters
  • Carbon hydrogen nitrogen CHN analyzers
  • Chipmunk crushers
  • Clinometers
  • Conductivity indicators
  • Cryogenic magnetometers
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Digital chlorine testers
  • Digital hydrometers
  • Digital micropipettes
  • Digital pH meters
  • Digital seismographs
  • Directional compasses
  • Dissolved organic carbon analyzers
  • Dissolved oxygen meters
  • Dissolved salt meters
  • Earth drills
  • Electronic digital levels
  • Electronic digital theodolites
  • Electronic distance meters
  • Electronic laboratory balances
  • Erlenmeyer flasks
  • Fluorescence microscopes
  • Fluorescence spectrophotometers
  • Fourier transfer infrared FTIR spectrometers
  • Gas chromatography equipment
  • General purpose burets
  • Geological hammers
  • Glass beakers
  • Glass dropping pipettes
  • Glass funnels
  • Glass graduated cylinders
  • Glass laboratory crucibles
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Gravitational field indicators
  • Ground penetrating radar GPR systems
  • Groundwater sampling peristaltic pumps
  • Hand augers
  • Hand lenses
  • Hand levels
  • Heated magnetic stirrers
  • High pressure liquid chromatograph HPLC equipment
  • Hydraulic vibracorers
  • Inductively coupled plasma ICP optical emission spectrometers
  • Jaw crushers
  • Laboratory drying ovens
  • Laboratory pulverizers
  • Laboratory sieves
  • Laboratory vacuum pumps
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser rangefinders
  • Magnetometers
  • Mass spectrometers
  • Microwave digestion systems
  • Optical particle detectors
  • Personal computers
  • Phase contrast microscopes
  • Piezometers
  • Planimeters
  • Pocket transits
  • Portable dataloggers
  • Power rock coring drills
  • Proton magnetometers
  • Rock picks
  • Rock saws
  • Rotary pulverizers
  • Sample microsplitters
  • Scanning electron microscopes SEM
  • Scientific calculators
  • Shatterboxes
  • Sieve shakers
  • Single crystal x ray diffractometers
  • Soil augers
  • Soil core samplers
  • Spectrophotometers
  • Spinner magnetometers
  • Stadia rods
  • Surveillance binoculars
  • Survey altimeters
  • Terrain conductivity meters
  • Top-loading electronic balances
  • Total stations
  • Total sulfur analyzers
  • Turbidimeters
  • Ultraviolet-Visible UV/VIS spectrophotometers
  • Volumetric flasks
  • Water distillation units
  • Water sampling bailers
  • X ray fluorescence XRF spectrometers

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Ecological Research & Development Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians You are here

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Zone 4
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians You are here

Resource Extraction Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Zone 4
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians You are here
Zone 5
Hydrologists 79% match

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