Occupation
Field research technician
Field research technicians collect the data that laboratory and desk-based scientists depend on. That means travelling to sites, operating monitoring equipment, taking samples correctly, and recording conditions accurately. The work is physical and weather-dependent, often seasonal, and frequently based away from home during survey campaigns.
Also known as: Field technician · Survey technician · Environmental field assistant
Occupation content
Part of Natural sciences and research
What the work involves
- Set up, calibrate, and service field instruments and data loggers
- Collect samples following sampling plans and chain-of-custody procedures
- Record site conditions, coordinates, and observations in field notebooks or apps
- Download, back up, and check field data before leaving a site
- Transport and store samples so they remain valid for laboratory analysis
- Follow lone-working, vehicle, and site safety procedures in remote locations
How people commonly enter
- A college diploma or certificate in environmental, biological, or geological technology
- Entry-level field assistant work with on-the-job training in survey methods
- A science degree used to enter fieldwork before specialising further
- Seasonal and volunteer survey work used to build practical field experience
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Typical work context
Outdoors · Physically active · Involves travel · Team based · Varied work · Shift work
Related interests
Realistic (hands-on) · Investigative (analytical)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
- Attention and concentration
- Data checking and clerical accuracy
- Safety judgment
- Technical reasoning
- Map and route reasoning
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Natural sciences and research.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: field research technician · International
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- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Biological technicians · United States
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- ESCO — occupations classification browser · European Union
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Natural sciences and research in Canada, not a figure for Field research technician. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Natural sciences and research family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: education pathways
Some roles in Natural sciences and research may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)