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ESCO occupation

geology technician

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Geology technicians assist in all the activities carried out by geologists. Under the supervision of geologists, they collect materials, carry out research and study the samples collected from the Earth. Geology technicians assist in determining the value of the land for oil or gas exploration. They perform various technical activities, including collecting samples during geochemical surveys, working on drill sites, and participating in geophysical surveys and geological studies.

3111.4 ISCO 3111 ESCO source
Competences
58
Groups
4
Essential
23
Optional
35

Competences and skills

58 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 6 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
cartography

The study of interpreting the elements depicted in maps, the measures and technical specifications. 

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Cross-sector

5 competences
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.

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mathematics

Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

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percolation

The process of the slow movement of water in a porous medium. The movement of liquids filtering through porous materials or substance containing small holes in it.

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scientific research methodology

The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

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statistics

The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 17 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

4 competences
apply safety procedures in laboratory

Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.

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collect geological data

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

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collect samples

Set up and operate equipment to collect water, gas, oil or soil samples for testing.

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test raw minerals

Take samples of mineral materials for testing purposes. Execute various chemical and physical tests on the materials.

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Cross-sector

13 competences
apply scientific methods

Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

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apply statistical analysis techniques

Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.

digital
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assist scientific research

Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.

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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.
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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.

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execute analytical mathematical calculations

Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.

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operate scientific measuring equipment

Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.

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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.

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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.

Scope note
May also perform routine testing on the obtained samples.
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prepare scientific reports

Prepare 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.

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record test data

Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.

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work ergonomically

Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.

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write production reports

Make up and complete shift schedules and production reports in a timely manner.

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Optional knowledge 7 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

1 competence
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

Cross-sector

6 competences
environmental legislation

The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

green
ESCO source
geochemistry

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

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geodesy

The scientific discipline that combines applied mathematics and earth sciences in order to measure and represent the Earth. It studies phenomena such as gravitational fields, polar motion, and tides.

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geology

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

green
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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.

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physics

The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.

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Optional skills and competences 28 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

13 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.

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assist with geophysical surveys

Assist with a range of specific, geophysical surveys, using diverse methods such as seismic, magnetic and electromagnetic methods.

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conduct soil sample tests

Analyse and test soil samples; determine gas chromatography and gather relevant isotope and carbon information; determine viscosity.

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develop geological databases

Develop geological databases in order to acquire and organise information.

digital
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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.

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liaise with geology professionals

Establish relationships with commercial managers, geologists and petroleum engineers.

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maintain cores

Clean and repair cores, e.g. by smoothing out imperfections on the surface.

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monitor geotechnical structures

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

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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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plan geotechnical investigations in the field

Conduct thorough field investigations; perform drills and analyse samples of rocks and sediments.

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prepare geological map sections

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

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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.

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use geographic information systems

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

digital
ESCO source

Cross-sector

15 competences
apply digital mapping

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

digital
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archive scientific documentation

Store documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for their research.

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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
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collect data using GPS

Gather data in the field using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.

digital
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create GIS reports

Use relevant geographic informations systems to create reports and maps based on geospatial information, using GIS software programmes.

digital
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create thematic maps

Use various techniques such as choropleth mapping and dasymetric mapping to create thematic maps based on geospatial information, using software programmes.

digital
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investigate soil stability

Collect soil samples from the railway site, using bores and test pits in order to determine ground stress capability and stability.

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perform laboratory tests

Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.

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prepare surveying report

Write a survey report containing information on property boundaries, the height and depth of the terrain, etc..

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process data

Enter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.

digital
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provide technical expertise

Provide expert knowledge in a particular field, especially concerning mechanical or scientific subjects, to decision makers, engineers, technical staff or journalists.

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study aerial photos

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

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train employees

Lead and guide employees through a process in which they are taught the necessary skills for the perspective job. Organise activities aimed at introducing the work and systems or improving the performance of individuals and groups in organisational settings.

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troubleshoot

Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

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use spreadsheets software

Use software tools to create and edit tabular data to carry out mathematical calculations, organise data and information, create diagrams based on data and to retrieve them.

digital
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