Geological technicians most often work under the supervision of a geologist or other geoscientist as part of a research team. Some areas of specialization include environmental geology, the study of how pollution, waste, and hazardous materials affect the earth; geophysics, the study of the earth's interior and magnetic, electric, and gravitational fields; hydrology, the investigation of the movement and quality of ground and surface water; petroleum geology, the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas; and seismology, the study of earthquakes and the forces that cause them.
The most common employment for geological technicians is assisting petroleum geologists. These scientists determine where deposits of oil and natural gas may be buried beneath the earth's surface. Using data gathered from workers in the field, geological technicians draft maps displaying where drilling operations are taking place and create reports that petroleum geologists will use to determine where an oil deposit might be located.
Geological technicians use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to create maps that pinpoint the exact location where a drilling crew has dug a well. In addition to indicating whether or not oil was found, the map also specifies the depth of the well. If oil is located, the information on the map will enable geologists to determine the probable size of the oil deposit.
Technicians also analyze various types of raw data when creating reports. For example, crews often detonate carefully planned explosions that send shockwaves deep into the earth. These waves are recorded by microphones. Geologists study the patterns of the waves to determine the composition of rock beneath the surface. Geological technicians take these patterns and remove any background noise, such as sound waves from an airplane passing overhead, and then write a report that summarizes what the sound patterns indicate.
Some geological technicians work in the field of environmental engineering. Assisting geologists, they study how structures, such as roads, landfills, and commercial, residential, and industrial developments, affect the environment. The information they gather is incorporated into environmental impact statements, which are used by developers, government officials, and private landowners to minimize damage to the environment.
- Agricultural Scientists
- Air Quality Engineers
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Archivists
- Astrogeologists
- Biochemists
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biologists
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Botanists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Cartographers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Civil Engineers
- Climate Scientists
- Coal Miners
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- Divers and Diving Technicians
- Ecologists
- Electricians
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Energy Efficiency Engineers
- Energy Transmission and Distribution Workers
- Engineering Technicians
- Engineers
- Environmental Economists
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Technicians
- EPA Special Agents
- Ethical Sourcing Officer
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Fluid Power Technicians
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Futurists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Green Builders
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Green Transportation Careers
- Grounds Managers
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Historians
- Horticultural Inspectors
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Ecologists
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landmen
- Landscape Architects
- Landscapers
- Line Installers and Cable Splicers
- Marine Biologists
- Materials Engineers
- Metallurgical Engineers
- Metallurgical Technicians
- Meteorologists
- Meter Readers, Utilities
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Mining Engineers
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Museum Directors and Curators
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Non-Destructive Testing Specialists
- Nuclear Engineers
- Nuclear Reactor Operators and Technicians
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Oceanographers
- Operating Engineers
- Paleontologists
- Park Rangers
- Petroleum Engineers
- Petroleum Technicians
- Power Plant Workers
- Radiation Protection Technicians
- Range Managers
- Recreation Workers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Recycling Coordinators
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Rewilders
- Roustabouts
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Space Meteorologist
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Truck Drivers
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Welders and Welding Technicians
- Wildland Firefighters
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zoologists