311 Physical and Engineering Science Technicians

Chemical and physical science technicians perform technical tasks to aid in research in chemistry, physics, geology, geophysics, meteorology and astronomy, and in the development of industrial, medical, military and other practical applications of research results. Tasks include - (a) collecting samples and preparing materials and equipment for experiments, tests and analyses; (b) carrying out routine laboratory tests and performing a variety of technical support functions to assist chemical and physical scientists in research, development, analysis and testing; (c) controlling the quality and quantity of laboratory supplies by testing samples and monitoring usage and preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects, according to the specifications given; (d) setting up, operating, and maintaining laboratory instruments and equipment, monitoring experiments, making observations, and calculating and recording results; (e) preparing materials for experimentation such as freezing and slicing specimens and mixing chemicals; (f) collecting and testing earth and water samples, recording observations and analysing data in support of geologists or geophysicists. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Chemistry technician - Geology technician - Meteorology technician - Physics technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Chemical engineering technician - 3116 - Chemical process technician - 3133 - Life science technician - 3141.

Civil engineering technicians perform technical tasks in civil engineering research and in the design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of buildings and other structures such as water supply and wastewater treatment systems, bridges, roads, dams and airports. Tasks include - (a) performing or assisting with field and laboratory tests of soils and construction materials; (b) providing technical assistance connected with the construction of buildings and other structures, and with surveys or the preparation of survey reports; (c) ensuring compliance with design specifications, relevant legislation and regulations, and maintenance of desired standards of materials and work; (d) applying technical knowledge of building and civil engineering principles and practices in order to identify and solve problems arising; (e) assisting with the preparation of detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects, according to the specifications given; (f) organizing maintenance and repairs; (g) inspecting buildings and structures during and after construction to ensure that they comply with building, grading, zoning and safety laws and approved plans, specifications and standards, as well as with other rules concerning quality and safety of buildings; (h) inspecting industrial plant, hotels, cinemas and other buildings and structures to detect fire hazards and advise on how they can be removed; (i) advising on the installation of fire detectors and sprinkler systems and the use of materials in the construction of buildings, and means of transportation to reduce risk of fire and extent of damage and danger if fire occurs. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Building inspector - Building surveyor - Civil engineering technician - Clerk of works - Fire inspector - Fire prevention specialist - Geotechnical technician - Surveying technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Quantity surveyor - 2149 - Marine surveyor - 3115 - Fire investigator - 3119.

Electrical engineering technicians perform technical tasks to aid in electrical engineering research and in the design, manufacture, assembly, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of electrical equipment, facilities and distribution systems. Tasks include - (a) providing technical assistance in research on and development of electrical equipment and facilities, or testing prototypes; (b) designing and preparing blueprints of electrical installations and circuitry according to the specifications given; (c) preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for manufacture and installation, according to the specifications given; (d) monitoring technical aspects of the manufacture, installation, utilization, maintenance and repair of electrical systems and equipment to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations; (e) planning installation methods, checking completed installations for safety and controls or undertaking the initial running of the new electrical equipment or systems; (f) assembling, installing, testing, calibrating, modifying and repairing electrical equipment and installations to conform with regulations and safety requirements. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Electrical engineering technician - Electric power transmission engineering technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Electronics engineering technician - 3114 - Power production plant operator - 3131 - Electrical mechanic - 7412.

Electronics engineering technicians perform technical tasks to aid in electronic research and in the design, manufacture, assembly, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of electronic equipment. Tasks include - (a) providing technical assistance in research and development of electronic equipment, or testing prototypes; (b) designing and preparing blueprints of electronic circuitry according to the specifications given; (c) preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for the manufacture and installation of electronic equipment, according to the specifications given; (d) monitoring technical aspects of the manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of electronic equipment to ensure satisfactory performance and ensure compliance with specifications and regulations; (e) assisting in the design, development, installation, operation and maintenance of electronic systems; (f) planning installation methods, checking completed installations for safety and controls or undertaking the initial running of the new electronic equipment or system; (g) conducting tests of electronic systems, collecting and analysing data, and assembling circuitry in support of electronics engineers. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Electronics engineering technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Electrical engineering technician - 3113 - Telecommunications engineering technician - 3522 - Electronics mechanic - 7421 - Electronic equipment assembler - 8212.

Mechanical engineering technicians perform technical tasks to aid in mechanical engineering research and in the design, manufacture, assembly, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of machines, components and mechanical equipment. Tasks include - (a) providing technical assistance in research on and development of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components, or testing prototypes; (b) designing and preparing layouts of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components, according to the specifications given; (c) preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for manufacture and installation, according to the specifications given; (d) monitoring technical aspects of manufacture, utilization, maintenance and repair of machines and mechanical installations, facilities and components to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations; (e) developing and monitoring the implementation of safety standards and procedures for marine survey work in relation to ships’ hulls, equipment and cargoes; (f) assembling and installing new and modified mechanical assemblies, components, machine tools and controls, and hydraulic power systems; (g) conducting tests of mechanical systems, collecting and analysing data, and assembling and installing mechanical assemblies in support of mechanical engineers; (h) ensuring that mechanical engineering designs and finished work are within specifications, regulations and contract provisions. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Aeronautics engineering technician - Marine engineering technician - Marine surveyor - Mechanical engineering estimator - Mechanical engineering technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Industrial machinery mechanic - 7233 - Mechanical machinery assembler - 8211.

Chemical engineering technicians perform technical tasks to aid in chemical engineering research and in the design, manufacture, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of chemical plant. Tasks include - (a) assisting in research on and development of industrial chemical processes, plant and equipment, or testing prototypes; (b) designing and preparing layouts of chemical plants according to the specifications given; (c) preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for manufacture and installation, according to the specifications given; (d) monitoring technical aspects of the construction, installation, operation, maintenance and repair of chemical plants to ensure satisfactory performance and compliance with specifications and regulations; (e) conducting chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists and engineers in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Chemical engineering estimator - Chemical engineering technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Chemical technician - 3111 - Chemical process technician - 3133.

Mining and metallurgical technicians perform technical tasks to assist in research and experiments related to metallurgy, in improving methods of extracting solid minerals, oil and gas, and in the design, construction, operation, maintenance and repair of mines and mine installations, of systems for transporting and storing oil and natural gas, and for extraction of metals from ores. Tasks include - (a) providing technical assistance to aid in research on and development of processes to determine the properties of metals and new alloys; (b) providing technical assistance in geological and topographical surveys and in the design and layout of oil, natural gas and mineral ore extraction and transportation systems, and processing and refining plants for minerals and metals; (c) preparing detailed estimates of quantities and costs of materials and labour required for mineral, oil and natural gas exploration, extraction, processing and transport projects; (d) monitoring technical, regulatory and safety aspects of the construction, installation, operation, maintenance and repair of mineral ore, oil and natural gas exploration, extraction, transport and storage installations and mineral processing plants; (e) helping plan and design mines, mine shafts, tunnels and underground first-aid facilities; (f) collecting and preparing rock, mineral and metal samples, performing laboratory tests to determine properties, analysing and reporting test results and maintaining testing equipment; (g) using microscopes, electromagnetic irradiation machines, spectrometers, spectrographs, densitometers and tension testing machines; (h) assisting scientists in the use of electrical, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in both laboratory and production activities to obtain data indicating potential sources of metallic ore, gas, or petroleum. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Metallurgical technician - Mines inspector - Mining engineering technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Geology technician - 3111 - Miner - 8111 - Mining plant operator - 8111 - Quarrier - 8111.

Draughtspersons prepare technical drawings, maps and illustrations from sketches, measurements and other data, and copy final drawings and paintings onto printing plates. Tasks include - (a) preparing and revising working drawings from sketches and specifications prepared by engineers and designers for the manufacture, installation and erection of machinery and equipment or for the construction, modification, maintenance and repair of buildings, dams, bridges, roads and other architectural and civil engineering projects; (b) operating computer-aided design and draughting equipment to create, modify and generate hard-copy and digital representations of working drawings; (c) operating digitizing table or similar equipment to transfer hard-copy representation of working drawings, maps and other curves to digital form; (d) preparing and revising illustrations for reference works, brochures and technical manuals dealing with the assembly, installation, operation, maintenance and repair of machinery and other equipment and goods; (e) copying drawings and paintings onto stone or metal plates for printing; (f) preparing wiring diagrams, circuit board assembly diagrams and layout drawings used for manufacture, installation and repair of electrical equipment in factories, power plants and buildings; (g) creating detailed working diagrams of machinery and mechanical devices, including dimensions, fastening methods and other engineering information; (h) arranging for completed drawings to be reproduced for use as working drawings. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Draughtsperson - Technical illustrator Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Cartographer - 2165 - Surveyor - 2165.

This unit group covers physical and engineering science technicians not classified elsewhere in Minor Group 311: Physical and Engineering Science Technicians. For instance, the unit group includes those who assist scientists and engineers engaged in developing procedures or conducting research on safety, biomedical, environmental or industrial and production engineering. In such cases tasks would include - (a) collecting data and providing technical assistance regarding: efficient, safe and economic utilization of personnel, material and equipment; methods of work and sequence of operations and supervision of their implementation; and efficient layout of plant or establishment; (b) aiding in the identification of potential hazards and introducing safety procedures and devices; (c) modifying and testing equipment and devices used in the prevention, control and remediation of environmental pollution, in site remediation and land reclamation; (d) assisting in the development of environmental pollution remediation devices under the direction of an engineer; (e) assisting engineers in testing and designing robotics equipment. Examples of the occupations classified here: - Engineering technician (production) - Fire investigator - Forensic science technician - Quantity surveying technician - Robotics technician - Time and motion study technician Some related occupations classified elsewhere: - Production engineer - 2141 - Time and motion study engineer - 2141 - Quantity surveyor - 2149 - Aeronautics engineering technician - 3115.