Geotechnicians collect and process rock and soil samples for geomechanical testing. They also describe the quality of rock mass, including structure, discontinuities, colour and weathering. Mine geotechnicians may measure the size of underground openings. They report the collected information to geologists and engineers as required.
Most geotechnicians work in a laboratory environment but also participate in field work. This means working outdoors in extreme weather and coming into contact with natural processes like erosion, flooding or rockslides. Some geotechnicians remain indoors in a laboratory environment conducting lab research and drafting reports. Others pursue a path in education, becoming instructors for the next generation of geotechnicians.
Typically, a geotechnician earns a bachelor’s degree in geotechnical engineering or some equivalent field of study. However, a bachelor’s degree in scientific disciplines like chemistry, geology or hydrology may be an alternative. A background in civil engineering is also helpful for pursuing a career as a geotechnician.
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of geotechnician. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of geotechnician with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
These skills are necessary for the role of geotechnician.
Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
Collect samples: Set up and operate equipment to collect water, gas or soil samples for testing.
Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Install rock movement monitoring devices: Install and operate monitoring devices, such as extensometers to measure deformation and movement, pressure cells to measure stresses and geophones to measure microseismicity.
Prepare technical reports: Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.
Perform sample testing: Examine and perform tests on prepared samples; avoid any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination during the testing phase. Operate sampling equipment in line with design parameters.
Prepare samples for testing: Take and prepare samples for testing, verify their representability; avoid bias and any possibility of accidental or deliberate contamination. Provide clear numbering, labelling and recording of the sample details, in order to make sure that the results can be accurately matched to the original material.
Test raw minerals: Take samples of mineral materials for testing purposes. Execute various chemical and physical tests on the materials.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of geotechnician. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of geotechnician. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Maintain cores: Clean and repair cores, e.g. by smoothing out imperfections on the surface.
Negotiate land access: Negotiate with landowners, tenants, mineral rights owners, regulatory bodies or other stakeholders to obtain permission to access areas of interest for exploration or sampling.
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