Earth Science Technicians
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Earth Science Technicians collect and test earth and water samples, record observations and analyse data in support of Geologists or Geophysicists.
Also known as: Earth Science Technical Officer.
Specialisations: Earth Science Laboratory Technician, Geochemical Laboratory Technician, Geological Technical Officer, Geoscience Laboratory Technician, Hydrographical Technical Officer, Hydrological Technical Officer, Meteorological Observer, Seismology Technical Officer, Soil Science Technical Officer, Water Resources Technical Officer.
Extensive experience or a formal qualification in a related field (like environmental science, environmental technology or laboratory technology) is needed to work as an Earth Science Technician. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Tasks
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Prepares materials for experimentation, including freezing and slicing specimens and mixing chemicals.
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Collects information and samples.
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Conducts field and laboratory experiments, tests and analyses.
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Presents results in graphic or written form by preparing maps charts, sketches, diagrams and reports.
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Performs routine mathematical calculations and computations of measurement.
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Controls the quality and quantity of laboratory supplies by testing samples and monitoring usage.
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Checks, calibrates and maintains test equipment.
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Participates in fabricating, installing and modifying equipment to ensure that critical standards are met.
Characteristics
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University
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Vocational Education and Training (VET)
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Analytical
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Light
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Science Technicians, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 86% of people employed as Earth Science Technicians work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 20 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 51 hours per week in their main job. This is 7 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Earth Science Technicians work in industries like:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Earth Science Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 28.6 | 31.6 |
VIC | 10.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.8 | 20.0 |
SA | 6.9 | 7.0 |
WA | 28.9 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.6 | 2.0 |
NT | 1.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 1.5 | 1.9 |
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Around 50% of Earth Science Technicians live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Western Australia has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
- Perth - South East
- Perth - North West
- Western Australia - Outback (South)
- Newcastle and Lake Macquarie
- Perth - South West.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Earth Science Technicians is 36 years. This is younger than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 25 to 34 years.
Females make up 19% of the workforce. This is 29 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Earth Science Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 2.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 11.2 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 31.7 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 24.5 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 16.7 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 7.0 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.9 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 2.1 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 36 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Extensive experience or a formal qualification in a related field (like environmental science, environmental technology or laboratory technology) is needed to work as an Earth Science Technician. Vocational Education and Training (VET) and university are both common study pathways.
Visit
- Course Seeker to search and compare higher education courses.
- ComparED to compare undergraduate and postgraduate student experiences and outcomes.
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Laboratory Operations, Food Processing and Australian Meat Processing VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Earth Science Technicians | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 7.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 23.2 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 14.1 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 25.2 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 19.5 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 3.8 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 7.2 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Science Technicians who are reliable, work well in a team and have a strong work ethic.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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57%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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54%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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54%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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52%
ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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50%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
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46%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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46%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
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45%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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45%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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45%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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45%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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43%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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43%
Systems analysisFiguring out how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect it.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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41%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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41%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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41%
Systems evaluationMeasuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
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41%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
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39%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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64%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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61%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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59%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
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59%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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55%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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53%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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52%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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50%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
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40%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
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37%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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36%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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33%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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33%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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33%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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30%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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29%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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27%
BiologyPlant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, how they rely on and work with each other and the environment.
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27%
History and archeologyEvents of the past, their causes, how we learn about them, and how they influence the way we live today.
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22%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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16%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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61%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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59%
Written comprehensionRead and understand written information.
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57%
Inductive reasoningUse lots of detailed information to come up with answers or make general rules.
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57%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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57%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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55%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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55%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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54%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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54%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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52%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
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52%
Written expressionWrite in a way that people can understand.
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50%
Working with numbersAdd, subtract, multiply, or divide.
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46%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
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45%
MathematicsChoose the right maths method or formula to solve a problem.
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43%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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43%
BrainstormingCome up with a number of ideas about a topic, even if the ideas aren't very good.
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43%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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43%
Perceptual speedUse your eyes to quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
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41%
Colour discriminationNotice differences between colours, including shades of colour and brightness.
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41%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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71%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
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63%
Making sense of information and ideasLooking at, working with, and understanding data or information.
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63%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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62%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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62%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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61%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
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60%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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60%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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59%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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59%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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58%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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55%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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54%
Estimating amounts, costs and resourcesWorking out sizes, distances, amounts, time, costs, resources, or materials needed for a task.
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54%
Working with electronic equipmentServicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing electronic devices and equipment.
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52%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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50%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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48%
Working with computersUsing computers to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
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47%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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43%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
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39%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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86%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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81%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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52%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
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14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
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76%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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67%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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67%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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62%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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57%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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57%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
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95%
Electronic mailUse electronic mail.
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95%
Indoors, heat controlledWork indoors with access to heating or cooling.
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91%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
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84%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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83%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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80%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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78%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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77%
Repeating same tasksRepeat the same tasks or activities (e.g., key entry) over and over, without stopping.
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75%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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75%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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71%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
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66%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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66%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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66%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
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65%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
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64%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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63%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
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63%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
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62%
Spend time sittingSpend time sitting at work.
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60%
Responsible for outcomesTake responsibility for the results of other people's work.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 19-4041.02 - Geological Sample Test Technicians.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.