Skip to content
ESCO occupation

geological engineer

Back to ESCO occupations

Geological engineers apply geological knowledge for the assessment of sites, soils, slope stability, sediments and other observable characteristics in the Earth. They integrate this information in the planning and development of projects in those places. They assess and answer questions concerning the geological characteristics of soils by performing research and experiments on the sites aimed to be intervened.

2142.1.4 ISCO 2142 ESCO source
Competences
45
Groups
4
Essential
20
Optional
25

Competences and skills

45 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 9 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

3 competences
engineering processes

The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.

ESCO source
geographic information systems

The tools involved in geographical mapping and positioning, such as GPS (global positioning systems), GIS (geographical information systems), and RS (remote sensing).

digital
ESCO source
mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products

The offered mining, construction and civil engineering machinery products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

6 competences
civil engineering

The engineering discipline that studies the design, construction and maintenance of naturally built works such as roads, buildings, and canals.

ESCO source
engineering principles

The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects.

ESCO source
environmental legislation

The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

green
ESCO source
geological time scale

System of chronological measurement dividing geologic history into several temporal divisions and subdivisions that take ancient life, geography, and climates into account.

ESCO source
geology

Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.

green
ESCO source
technical drawings

Drawing software and the various symbols, perspectives, units of measurement, notation systems, visual styles and page layouts used in technical drawings.

digital
ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 11 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

2 competences
environmental design

The approach that is used to face environmental problems related to buildings, plans, and products in various fields such as engineering, interior design and architecture.

ESCO source
monitor geotechnical structures

Observe performance factors of geotechnical structures in relation to the railway system.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

9 competences
adjust engineering designs

Adjust designs of products or parts of products so that they meet requirements.

ESCO source
advise on building matters

Provide advice on building matters to the various parties involved in construction projects. Bring to their awareness important building considerations and consult on construction budgets.

ESCO source
approve engineering design

Give consent to the finished engineering design to go over to the actual manufacturing and assembly of the product.

ESCO source
assess environmental impact

Monitor environmental impacts and carry out assessments in order to identify and to reduce the organisation's environmental risks while taking costs into account.

green
ESCO source
ensure compliance with safety legislation

Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.

ESCO source
execute feasibility study

Perform the evaluation and assessment of the potential of a project, plan, proposition or new idea. Realise a standardised study which is based on extensive investigation and research to support the process of decision making.

ESCO source
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.

ESCO source
perform scientific research

Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.

research
ESCO source
use technical drawing software

Create technical designs and technical drawings using specialised software.

digital
ESCO source
Optional knowledge 6 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
impact of geological factors on mining operations

Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

5 competences
geochemistry

The scientific discipline that studies the presence and distribution of chemical elements in the geological systems of Earth.

ESCO source
geography

The scientific discipline that studies the land, phenomena, characteristics and inhabitants of Earth. This field seeks to understand the natural and man-made complexities of Earth. It explores the social, political, and economic characteristics of human societies as well as the morphological properties of the Earth.

ESCO source
geophysics

The scientific field that deals with the physical processes and properties of, and spatial environment surrounding Earth. Geophysics also deals with the quantitative analysis of phenomena such as magnetic fields, the internal structure of Earth, and its hydrological cycle.

ESCO source
nuclear energy

The generation of electrical energy through the use of nuclear reactors, by converting the energy released from nuclei of atoms in reactors which generate heat. This heat subsequently generates steam which can power a steam turbine to generate electricity.

ESCO source
soil science

The field of science that studies soil as a natural resource, its characteristics, formation, and classification. It also examines the physical, biological, and chemical potential of soil.

green
ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 19 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

10 competences
advise on geology for mineral extraction

Provide advice of the impact of geological factors on the development of mineral production. Take into account factors such as cost, safety, and characteristics of deposits.

ESCO source
collect geological data

Participate in the collection of geological data such as core logging, geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveying, digital data capture, etc.

ESCO source
conduct land surveys

Conduct surveys to determine the location and features of natural and man-made structures, on surface level as well as underground and underwater. Operate electronic distance-measuring equipment and digital measuring instruments.

ESCO source
develop geological databases

Develop geological databases in order to acquire and organise information.

digital
ESCO source
examine geochemical samples

Analyse laboratory samples using equipment such as spectrometers, gas chromatographs, microscopes, microprobes and carbon analysers. Determine the age and characteristics of environmental samples such as minerals, rock or soil.

green
ESCO source
interpret geophysical data

Interpret data of a geophysical nature: Earth's shape, its gravitational and magnetic fields, its structure and composition, and geophysical dynamics and their surface expression in plate tectonics.

ESCO source
perform computer analyses of geotechnical structures

Use specialised digital databases and perform computer-aided analyses of geotechnical structures.

digital
ESCO source
prepare geological map sections

Prepare geological sections, a vertical view of the local geology.

ESCO source
provide information on geological characteristics

Provide information on geological structures, host rock quality, groundwater implications and details on the mineralogical and textural composition of ores to enable mining and processing to be planned efficiently. The geological model is used to design the mine workings for minimum dilution and maximum ore extraction.

ESCO source
use geographic information systems

Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

digital
ESCO source

Cross-sector

9 competences
advise on construction materials

Provide advice on and test a wide range of construction materials.

Scope note
It includes building stone, sand, bricks, clay and gravel.
ESCO source
advise on waste management procedures

Advise organisations on the implementation of waste regulations and on improvement strategies for waste management and waste minimisation, to increase environmentally sustainable practices and environmental awareness.

green
ESCO source
apply digital mapping

Make maps by formatting compiled data into a virtual image that gives a precise representation of a specific area.

digital
ESCO source
assess financial viability

Revise and analyse financial information and requirements of projects such as their budget appraisal, expected turnover, and risk assessment for determining the benefits and costs of the project. Assess if the agreement or project will redeem its investment, and whether the potential profit is worth the financial risk.

ESCO source
collect samples for analysis

Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.

Scope note
Follow the procedures required for the collection of materials and products for laboratory analysis.
ESCO source
conduct field work

Conducts field work or research which is the collection of information outside of a laboratory or workplace setting. Visit places in order to collect specific information about the field.

ESCO source
oversee construction project

Make sure that the construction project is carried out in compliance with the building permit, the execution plans, the performance and design specifications, and the relevant regulations.

ESCO source
study aerial photos

Use aerial photos to study phenomena on Earth's surface.

ESCO source
use CAD software

Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design.

digital
ESCO source