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

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Occupation content

Part of Natural sciences and research

A visual day in the work

What the work involves

  1. Set up, calibrate, and service field instruments and data loggers

  2. Collect samples following sampling plans and chain-of-custody procedures

  3. Record site conditions, coordinates, and observations in field notebooks or apps

  4. Download, back up, and check field data before leaving a site

  5. Transport and store samples so they remain valid for laboratory analysis

  6. Follow lone-working, vehicle, and site safety procedures in remote locations

Entry-route stepper

How people commonly enter

  1. A college diploma or certificate in environmental, biological, or geological technology

  2. Entry-level field assistant work with on-the-job training in survey methods

  3. A science degree used to enter fieldwork before specialising further

  4. Seasonal and volunteer survey work used to build practical field experience

Typical training: Certificate or college diploma

Licensing: Certification common, not usually required

Work-context map

Typical work context

  • Outdoors
  • Physically active
  • Involves travel
  • Team based
  • Varied work
  • Shift work

Outdoors · Physically active · Involves travel · Team based · Varied work · Shift work

Related interests

  • Realistic (hands-on)
  • Investigative (analytical)

Realistic (hands-on) · Investigative (analytical)

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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.

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Natural sciences and research: licensing

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