Profession soil surveying technician

Soil surveying technicians analyse soil by carrying out technical surveying tasks, using soil surveying techniques. They focus on the process of classifying soil types and other soil properties. Soil surveying technicians operate surveying equipment and utilise programs to retrieve and interpret relevant data, and perform computations as required.

Personality Type

• Investigative / Realistic
• Realistic / Investigative

Knowledge

• Soil mechanics

  Thoroughly understand the characteristics of soil in relation to analysing the deformations of fluids within soil that supports man-made structures.

• 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.

• Soil structure

  Diversity of soil elements and types of soil in relation to plant growth.

• Ecology

  The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.

• Geology

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

• Environmental legislation

  The environmental policies and legislation applicable in a certain domain.

• 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

• Perform laboratory tests

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

• Gather experimental data

  Collect data resulting from the application of scientific methods such as test methods, experimental design or measurements.

• 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.

• Conduct field work

  Conduct 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.

• Operate surveying instruments

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

• Adjust surveying equipment

  Ensure accuracy of measurement by adjusting surveying equipment.

• Prepare surveying report

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

• Collect samples for analysis

  Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.

• 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.

• Conduct soil sample tests

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

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB