Soil/science technician? Just what do you mean by that?

I was chatting with my dad on the weekend about parallels in our lives. Like me, he made the decision to return to school as a mature student to follow a very different new career path.  At 28, he left a top job at a Toronto ad agency to enroll at the Ontario Forest Technical School in Dorset, where he graduated with honours.  I’m… ahem!... a little older, and coming from the distantly related field of drilling and blasting. 

Our experiences are 45 years apart, so it was interesting to see how much they married up. Dad said, as a Certified Forest Technician, his job/career tree grew out of sight, branching into industries he’d never considered.  He suggested I grow one.

I’ve made a start, but the research is already an eye-opener.  Most of the rest of this blog will comprise found information from 3 or 4 job description websites – mixed, stirred and edited. I picked Soil/Science Technician at random for this: I already had the research.

First level search gets me Soil Technician, Science Technician, Chemistry Technician,  Earth Science Technician, Life Science Technician, School Laboratory Technician, Hydrographer, Environmental Scientist … we see where this is going.  The Tree is a monster time-eater.  It’ll have to be a corner-screen doodle for idle moments.

Our Soil/Science Technician has multiple split personalities. The best umbrella description I could cobble together is: Perform tests and experiments, and provide technical support functions to assist with research, design, production and teaching in  chemistry, earth sciences, life sciences, and physical sciences.

And the job itself? The following tasks are a mix from several different sites that are seeking their specialized version of Soil/Science Technician.

•   Prep materials for experimentation – e.g. freezing/slicing specimens; mixing chemicals    •   Collecting information and samples   •   Conduct field & lab experiments/tests/analyses   •   Present results in graphic and written form by preparing maps/charts/sketches/diagrams/reports   •   Perform routine mathematical calculations and computations of measurements   •   Control quality and quantity of laboratory supplies by testing samples and monitoring usage   •   Check/calibrate/maintain test equipment   •   Participate in fabricating/ installing/modifying equipment to meet critical standards   •   Prepare experiments and demonstrations for science classes

More?  There’s plenty!   •   Work with Project Managers on various remediation, reclamation and monitoring projects involving contaminated sites   •   Complete fieldwork for on-going environmental monitoring projects which may include soil, groundwater, surface water, waste and /or air sampling and monitoring   •   Engage in coordination and field supervision of subcontractors   •   Interact with clients and assist with technical report writing, including regular project documentation, data entry and cost tracking   •   Work in a multidisciplinary team environment that fosters career development   •   Provide assistance to other disciplines as required

OK… I’ll stop.  Sorry about the pilin’ on. But it’s the easiest way to show the density of choice and direction surrounding one job title. One last help wanted ad to make the point.

As an Environmental Scientist, you will have the opportunity to work on large-scale world-class projects involving site assessment and remediation projects, upstream and downstream, producing and abandoned oil and gas facilities as well as various infrastructure sites. This role will provide you with excellent technical challenges and an opportunity to develop your project management skills.