Profession groundwater monitoring technician

Groundwater monitoring technician monitor the environment, gathering data in the form of samples and performing tests in a laboratory or field, to investigate potential sources of pollution. They also perform maintenance tasks on the monitoring equipment.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Water chemistry analysis

  Principles of complex water chemistry.

• Chemistry

  The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

• Laboratory techniques

  Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.

Skills

• Test samples for pollutants

  Measure concentrations of pollutants within samples. Calculate air pollution or gas flow in industrial processes. Identify potential safety or health risks such as radiation.

• Monitor water quality

  Measure water quality: temperature, oxygen, salinity, pH, N2, NO2,NH4, CO2, turbidity, chlorophyll. Monitor microbiological water quality.

• 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.

• Prepare chemical samples

  Prepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.

• Perform laboratory tests

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

• Measure water quality parameters

  Quality assure water by taking into consideration various elements, such as temperature.

• Use personal protection equipment

  Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.

• Test chemical samples

  Perform the testing procedures on the already prepared chemical samples, by using the necessary equipment and materials. Chemical sample testing involves operations such as pipetting or diluting schemes.

• Collect samples for analysis

  Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.

• Perform water chemistry analysis

  Perform water chemistry analysis

• Study groundwater

  Prepare and conduct field studies in order to determine groundwater quality. Analyse and interpret maps, models and geographical data. Compose a picture of area groundwater and land contamination. File reports on issues with landfill groundwater, e.g. area pollution caused by coal combustion products.

• Perform water testing procedures

  Conduct testing procedures on water quality, such as pH tests and dissolved solids. Understand instrumentation drawings.

• Analyse various types of water

  Design boreholes; sample and analyse surface water and groundwater.

• Interpret scientific data to assess water quality

  Analyse and interpret data like biological properties to know the quality of water.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB