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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Geotechnical Field Technician Student

💰 $ - $

GeotechnicalField TechnicianStudentInternship

🎯 Role Definition

The Geotechnical Field Technician Student is a hands-on, entry-level role for students or new graduates supporting geotechnical and construction materials investigations. This role performs field sampling, routine in-situ testing, basic laboratory support, site safety tasks, documentation and data entry under the supervision of licensed engineers and senior technicians. Typical duties emphasize accurate sample collection, equipment setup and maintenance, thorough field logs and daily reporting, and adherence to QA/QC and health & safety procedures.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Geotechnical/Construction Materials Student Intern or Co-op
  • Field Technician Assistant / Site Assistant
  • Laboratory Technician (materials or soils)

Advancement To:

  • Geotechnical Field Technician (Full-time)
  • Construction Materials Technician / Field Supervisor
  • Geotechnical Engineer (with degree and experience)
  • Project Engineer / Field Project Lead

Lateral Moves:

  • Construction Materials Testing Technician (CMT)
  • Environmental Field Technician / Sampling Technician
  • Drilling/Exploration Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform systematic soil and rock sampling (disturbed and undisturbed) at geotechnical and environmental investigation sites using augers, Shelby tubes, piston samplers, and split-spoon sampling techniques, ensuring proper sample preservation, labeling, and chain-of-custody procedures for transport to the laboratory.
  • Assist in drilling operations by setting up and dismantling small drill rigs, monitoring drill performance, maintaining drill logs, and documenting drilling parameters (depth, drilling method, penetration rates) in accordance with established field procedures and safety plans.
  • Conduct Standard Penetration Tests (SPT) and record blow counts, sampler type, hammer energy, and other test parameters; inspect and log soil behavior and ground conditions during and after each test.
  • Operate and assist with Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) rigs and ancillary equipment, monitor data acquisition systems, and verify real-time CPT data quality for submission to senior staff and engineers.
  • Perform in-situ field tests including vane shear tests, pocket penetrometer tests, permeability tests, and simple point-load or pocket penetrometer assessments, recording results and observations accurately in field logs.
  • Conduct construction materials testing in the field such as nuclear gauge density testing, sand cone tests, and in-place compaction verification, following ASTM/AASHTO procedures and project-specific test plans.
  • Prepare and maintain detailed borehole and field logs describing stratigraphy, groundwater conditions, soil classification (visual-manual with Unified Soil Classification System), and anomalies; create clear sketches and annotate GPS-referenced locations.
  • Collect and field-preserve groundwater and soil samples for laboratory testing of geotechnical, environmental or contaminant parameters, maintaining strict chain-of-custody and temperature control when required.
  • Perform routine calibration, daily inspection, preventive maintenance and safe operation of field equipment (e.g., drill rigs, CPT rigs, nuclear density gauges, GPS units, data loggers) and coordinate repairs or replacements when needed.
  • Support laboratory technicians by performing initial sample preparation tasks (splitting, drying, moist tamping), logging incoming samples, and assisting with basic geotechnical lab tests under supervision (sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, proctor tests).
  • Complete daily field reports, site diaries and timesheets, summarizing activities, personnel present, equipment used, sample numbers, field measurements, and any safety incidents or non-conformances for distribution to project managers.
  • Enter and QA/QC field data, digital photos, and GPS coordinates into company databases, spreadsheets and project-specific reporting templates; convert field notes into digital borehole logs and preliminary data deliverables.
  • Follow project-specific quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC) procedures, ensure correct test frequencies and documentation, and flag discrepancies to the lead technician or project engineer for immediate resolution.
  • Implement and enforce site safety protocols including HSE plans, traffic control for roadside operations, PPE use, lockout/tagout for equipment, and confined space precautions; participate in job hazard analyses and toolbox talks.
  • Assist in setting up and taking down traffic control, erosion control measures, and temporary site stabilization for sampling locations, ensuring minimal site disturbance and compliance with regulatory permitting conditions.
  • Communicate directly with on-site contractors, clients, and landowners in a professional manner to coordinate access, explain sampling plans, and address immediate site issues while escalating technical questions to supervision.
  • Support geotechnical instrumentation installation and monitoring (piezometers, inclinometers, settlement plates) including initial setup, data retrieval, battery replacement, and field verification of readings for routine monitoring programs.
  • Perform basic field-level calculations (moisture content corrections, unit weight, percent compaction, blow count corrections) and compile preliminary results for review by senior technicians or engineers.
  • Participate in mobility-intensive tasks: walking rough terrain, carrying equipment and samples, operating in variable weather, and following all site safety and environmental protection practices to minimize risk.
  • Assist with pile load test observations and monitoring, logging deflection readings, recording load increments, and ensuring accurate time-stamped documentation for performance testing.
  • Troubleshoot simple field instrumentation and data acquisition issues, reset data loggers, replace sensors, and coordinate remote support or escalation for complex faults.
  • Maintain inventory of field supplies, consumables, and PPE; request replenishment proactively and ensure secure storage and transport of collected samples and sensitive equipment.
  • Support project pre-construction and site reconnaissance activities, including measuring and staking test locations with GPS or survey equipment and taking field photos for recordkeeping and reporting.
  • Participate in continuous professional development: attend in-house training sessions, OSHA/HAZWOPER safety courses, and technical workshops to build field competencies and certification credentials.

Secondary Functions

  • Support the preparation of preliminary site investigation reports, lab worksheets, and field data summaries for review by engineers.
  • Coordinate sample shipments and complete chain-of-custody documentation for third-party laboratories and regulatory submissions.
  • Help maintain and improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) and field inspection checklists to increase efficiency and consistency across field teams.
  • Support ad-hoc technical requests such as compiling historic borehole data, digitizing legacy logs, or preparing simple maps in GIS for project teams.
  • Assist senior staff with site scheduling, subcontractor coordination, and invoicing documentation related to field mobilizations.
  • Participate in client-facing meetings, site visits, and as-built verification walkthroughs to present findings and gather additional site information.
  • Provide on-call support for emergency site investigations, flood or slope failure response, and other urgent geotechnical field tasks as required.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Soil and rock sampling techniques (split-spoon, Shelby tube, piston sampling) and proper sample preservation and chain-of-custody procedures.
  • Standard Penetration Test (SPT) execution and accurate blow-count recording and interpretation.
  • Cone Penetration Testing (CPT) operational support, data verification, and basic troubleshooting.
  • Operation and calibration of common field instruments: nuclear density gauge, portable shear vane, GPS/GNSS units, data loggers, moisture meters and portable pH/EC meters.
  • Field construction materials testing: Proctor (field and lab), sand cone, relative compaction, and asphalt/concrete field checks.
  • Borehole logging and subsurface description using the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) and ASTM/AASHTO standards.
  • Basic lab support skills: sieve analysis, Atterberg limits, moisture content determination, and sample splitting.
  • Use of digital field reporting tools, MS Excel for data entry and QA/QC, and familiarity with GIS or mapping tools for plotting sample locations.
  • Safe operation and basic maintenance of drill rigs, CPT rigs, and support equipment; knowledge of rigging and lifting safety.
  • Understanding of health and safety requirements onsite: OSHA/WorkSafe guidelines, traffic control, confined space entry basics and PPE protocols.
  • Chain-of-custody, sample transport logistics, and specimen labeling best practices.
  • Basic instrument troubleshooting and electrical/battery maintenance for data acquisition equipment.
  • Ability to read civil and geotechnical drawings, site plans, and basic survey layouts; familiarity with AutoCAD or field survey tools is a plus.
  • Familiarity with environmental sampling protocols and simple chemical/contaminant sampling precautions (preferred).
  • Knowledge of QA/QC processes and documentation for field testing programs.

Soft Skills

  • Clear verbal and written communication: able to produce concise daily reports and interact professionally with clients, contractors, and team members.
  • Strong attention to detail and accuracy for logging, labeling, and QA/QC of samples and field data.
  • Teamwork and collaboration: works effectively under supervision and supports multi-disciplinary field crews.
  • Problem-solving and adaptability to troubleshoot equipment or changing site conditions under time constraints.
  • Time management and reliability: punctual for mobilizations, meets sample/test schedules, and maintains accurate timesheets.
  • Physical stamina, resilience, and safety-conscious mindset for extended periods in field conditions and rough terrain.
  • Professional demeanor and client-service orientation when representing the firm at project sites.
  • Eagerness to learn technical skills, accept feedback, and pursue certifications/training opportunities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education: High school diploma or equivalent with strong emphasis on math/science; currently enrolled in or recently completed a post-secondary program in geotechnical engineering technology, civil engineering, geology, environmental science, construction management, or related field.

Preferred Education: Pursuing or completed an undergraduate degree (B.Sc. or B.Eng.) in Civil Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geoscience, or an accredited Geotechnical Engineering Technology diploma program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Civil Engineering
  • Geological / Geotechnical Engineering
  • Environmental Science or Engineering
  • Construction Materials / Construction Management
  • Earth Sciences / Geoscience
  • Engineering Technology (Geotechnical focus)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–2 years (student intern/co-op or entry-level technician experience). Employers commonly accept current students with relevant coursework or summer field/lab experience.

Preferred: 1+ seasons of field experience in geotechnical or construction materials testing, familiarity with SPT/CPT support, hands-on experience with common field instruments and strong safety training (e.g., OSHA 10/30, H2S, traffic control, basic first aid).

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