31 Science and Engineering Associate Professionals

Physical and engineering science technicians perform technical tasks to aid in research on and the practical application of concepts, principles and operational methods particular to physical sciences including such areas as engineering, technical drawing or economic efficiency of production processes. Tasks performed usually include: undertaking and carrying out technical work related to chemistry, physics, geology, meteorology, astronomy, engineering or technical drawing; setting up, operating, and maintaining laboratory instruments and equipment; monitoring experiments, making observations, and calculating and recording results; preparing materials for experimentation; conducting tests of systems; collecting and testing samples; recording observations and analysing data; preparing, revising and interpreting technical drawings, wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams or layout drawings. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 3111 Chemical and Physical Science Technicians 3112 Civil Engineering Technicians 3113 Electrical Engineering Technicians 3114 Electronics Engineering Technicians 3115 Mechanical Engineering Technicians 3116 Chemical Engineering Technicians 3117 Mining and Metallurgical Technicians 3118 Draughtspersons 3119 Physical and Engineering Science Technicians Not Elsewhere Classified.

Mining, manufacturing and construction supervisors coordinate, supervise, control and schedule the activities of workers in manufacturing, mining and construction operations. Tasks performed usually include: overseeing, supervising and coordinating the activities of tradespersons, process control technicians, machine operators, assemblers, labourers and other workers; organizing and planning daily work; preparing cost estimates, records and reports; identifying shortages of staff or supplies; ensuring safety of workers; instructing and training new staff. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 3121 Mining Supervisors 3122 Manufacturing Supervisors 3123 Construction Supervisors Notes Jobs classified in Minor Group 312: Mining, Manufacturing and Construction Supervisors mainly involve planning, organizing, coordinating, controlling and directing the work done by others. Most of the time workers employed in these jobs do not perform the tasks performed by those they supervise, although they frequently have extensive experience in performance of these tasks. Those who carry out the tasks and duties of the jobs they supervise, in addition to controlling the technical quality of the work done by others, should be classified with the workers they supervise. These supervisory jobs often are called “foremen/women” or “team leaders”. In distinguishing between managers classified in Major Group 1: Managers, and supervisors, classified in other major groups, it should be noted that both managers and supervisors may plan, organize, coordinate, control and direct the work done by others. In addition, managers usually have responsibility for and make decisions about: the overall strategic and operational direction of a business or organizational unit (for example about the kinds, quantity and quality of goods to be produced); budgets (how much money is to be spent and for what purposes); and the selection, appointment and dismissal of staff. Supervisors may provide advice and assistance to managers on these matters, especially in relation to staff selection and dismissal, but do not have authority to make decisions. It should be noted that it is not a necessary condition that managers have responsibility for all three of strategic and operational direction, budgets and staff selection and dismissal. The degree of autonomy they exercise may also vary. The critical difference is that supervisors are responsible only for the supervision of the activities of other workers, whereas managers have overall responsibility for the operations of an organizational unit.

Process control technicians operate and monitor switchboards, computerized control systems and multi-function process control machinery; and maintain processing units in electrical power generation and distribution, wastewater, sewage treatment and waste disposal plants, chemical, petroleum and natural gas refineries, in metal processing and other multiple process operations. Tasks performed usually include: operating electronic or computerized control panel from a central control room to monitor and optimize processes; controlling process start-up and shut-down; operating and monitoring switchboards and related equipment; monitoring and inspecting equipment and systems to detect malfunctions; taking readings from charts, meters and gauges at established intervals; troubleshooting and take corrective action as necessary; maintaining records, logs and reports; communicating with other personnel to assess equipment operating status; cleaning and maintaining equipment; supervising plant and machine operators, assemblers and other workers. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 3131 Power Production Plant Operators 3132 Incinerator and Water Treatment Plant Operators 3133 Chemical Processing Plant Controllers 3134 Petroleum and Natural Gas Refining Plant Operators 3135 Metal Production Process Controllers 3139 Process Control Technicians Not Elsewhere Classified Notes In some jobs, the work of process control technicians may be combined with supervision of staff in other occupations, such as plant and machine operators and assemblers. These jobs should be classified in Minor Group 313: Process Control Technicians, unless supervision of other workers is the clearly predominant element of the work and the process control activities are relatively simple. For example, a chemical processing plant controller who operates and monitors chemical processing units and equipment from a central control room, and also supervises the activities of chemical products plant and machine operators, should be classified in Unit Group 3133: Chemical Processing Plant Controllers. A supervisor of assemblers, however, who is also responsible for start-up and shut-down of a partially automated assembly line is classified in Unit Group 3122: Manufacturing Supervisors. Operators of single process plant and machines, or of machinery that does not involve automated control of multiple processes, are not included in Minor Group 313: Process Control Technicians. Such occupations are mainly classified in Major Group 8: Plant and machine operators, and assemblers. All mining plant operators are classified in Unit Group 8111: Miners and Quarriers.

Life science technicians and related associate professionals perform a variety of technical tasks to support life science professionals with their research, development, management, conservation and protection work, in areas such as biology, botany, zoology, biotechnology and biochemistry, and to agriculture, fisheries and forestry. Tasks performed usually include: conducting tests, experiments, laboratory analyses, field research and surveys to collect information by using accepted scientific methods; keeping records; assisting in analysing data and preparing reports; operating and maintaining equipment. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 3141 Life Science Technicians (excluding Medical) 3142 Agricultural Technicians 3143 Forestry Technicians.

Ship and aircraft controllers and technicians command and navigate ships and aircraft; perform technical functions to ensure safe and efficient movement and operations; and develop electrical, electromechanical and computerized air control systems. Tasks performed usually include: controlling the operation of mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment on board ship or on aircraft, commanding and navigating ships or aircraft, directing the movements of ships or aircraft and developing electrical, electromechanical and computerized air control systems. Occupations in this minor group are classified into the following unit groups: 3151 Ships’ Engineers 3152 Ships’ Deck Officers and Pilots 3153 Aircraft Pilots and Related Associate Professionals 3154 Air Traffic Controllers 3155 Air Traffic Safety Electronics Technicians.