Profession hydrographic surveying technician

Hydrographic surveying technicians perform oceanographic and surveying operations in marine environments. They assist hydrographic surveyors, using specialised equipment to map and study underwater topography and morphology of bodies of water. They assist in the installation and deployment of hydrographic and surveying equipment and report about their work.

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Personality Type

  • Investigative / Realistic
  • Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

  • Bathymetry

    The scientific discipline that studies underwater topography.

  • Geomatics

    The scientific discipline that studies gathering, storing, and processing geographic information.

  • Topography

    Graphic representation of the surface features of a place or region on a map indicating their relative positions and elevations.

  • Cartography

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

  • Survey techniques

    Techniques on how to identify a target audience, choose the right survey method and analyse the data.

  • Surveying

    The technique of determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them.

  • 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.

  • Surveying methods

    Have an understanding of surveying methods, remote sensing methods and equipment.

  • 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.

  • Hydrography

    The scientific discipline that studies and measures the physical features of bodies of water such as oceans, lakes and rivers. It studies the current situation for navigational purposes and predicts change over time.

  • Morphology

    The field of study dealing with the general structure of organisms and their features, including size and shape.

Skills

  • Perform surveying calculations

    Perform calculations and gather technical data in order to determine earth curvature corrections, traverse adjustments and closures, level runs, azimuths, marker placements, etc.

  • Write work-related reports

    Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.

  • Operate surveying instruments

    Operate and adjust measuring instruments such as theodolites and prisms, and other electronic distance-measuring tools.

  • Document survey operations

    Complete and file all required administrative, operational and technical documents related to a survey operation.

  • Record survey measurements

    Gather and process descriptive data by using documents such as sketches, drawings and notes.

  • Work in teams

    Work confidently within a group with each doing their part in the service of the whole.

  • Collect mapping data

    Collect and conserve mapping resources and mapping data.

  • Adjust surveying equipment

    Ensure accuracy of measurement by adjusting surveying equipment.

  • Conduct underwater surveys

    Conduct subaquatic surveys to measure and map the underwater topography and morphology of bodies of water in order to aid the planning of aquaculture projects, the construction of marine constructions, and the exploration of natural resources.

  • Prepare surveying report

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

  • Assist hydrographic surveys

    Assist in the installation and deployment of hydrographic surveying equipment.

Optional knowledge and skills

vessel safety equipment operate marine communication systems geographic information systems apply digital mapping create thematic maps process collected survey data assist scientific research use geographic information systems analyse scientific data create gis reports develop geological databases geography operate marine machinery systems conduct research before survey collect data using gps prepare geological map sections provide information on geological characteristics collect geological data oceanography interpret geophysical data geology write technical reports apply scientific methods use cad software

Common job titles

  • Land survey technician
  • Hydrographic data technician
  • Sue technician (entry-level)
  • Hydrographic technician
  • Engineering cad technician
  • Survey technician/draftsman
  • Geospatial technician (i, ii, iii or senior)
  • Sue technician
  • Land surveyor/engineering technician
  • Engineering technician (civil)