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Electrical Engineering Technician

Electrical Engineering Technicians develop, test, and maintain electrical systems and equipment. They assist engineers by preparing designs, conducting experiments, collecting data, and troubleshooting issues. Their work spans various industries, from manufacturing to telecommunications, ensuring that electrical components function optimally. With a focus on efficiency and safety, these technicians are vital in implementing technological advancements and maintaining the reliability of electrical infrastructures.

At a Glance

Imagine you are a renewable energy technician working for an engineering firm focused on wind turbines. Your current project involves inspecting a newly completed wind turbine station with your supervisor and a team of technicians. This inspection aims to ensure the electrical systems, particularly the intricate wiring and control mechanisms of the turbines, are functioning correctly before the station becomes operational.

As you and your team approach the towering turbines, you are equipped with diagnostic tools and checklists, ready to assess each component methodically. Your training in electrical circuitry and safety protocols is essential here, guiding you through the inspection process. Upon reaching the control system housed within the turbine, you notice a discrepancy in the wiring layout, potentially leading to operational inefficiencies or safety hazards.

Working closely with your colleagues, you use your troubleshooting skills to pinpoint the exact nature of the issue. The problem is a misconfigured wire, which you promptly rectify using the appropriate tools and techniques. Your attention to detail is crucial here, ensuring that the repair not only resolves the immediate issue but also adheres to the industry's stringent safety standards.

After completing the repair, you document the fault and the actions taken to correct it, contributing to the turbine's maintenance records. This meticulous documentation is vital for ongoing maintenance and future inspections.

The successful identification and resolution of the fault underscore the importance of your role as a renewable energy technician. Your expertise ensures the reliability and safety of the wind turbine station, directly impacting the effectiveness of renewable energy solutions in the broader context of environmental sustainability.

 

Job Duties

Job duties vary from one position to the next, but in general, electrical engineer technicians are involved in the following activities:

  • Install and maintain electrical equipment and systems for optimal performance and safety.
  • Conduct inspections and preventive maintenance to avert system failures and uphold safety standards.
  • Identify and fix electrical systems and equipment faults, including intricate wiring and control systems.
  • Assist in conceptualizing and creating new electrical systems and components for engineering projects.
  • Work with engineers and architects to execute and refine electrical solutions for diverse projects.
  • To meet technical specifications and performance criteria, test electrical systems and components.
  • Prepare detailed technical documents, including schematics, maintenance records, and performance analyses.
  • Advice on selecting and using electrical equipment, ensuring optimal procurement and application.
  • Implementing energy-saving measures and integrating renewable energy technologies for sustainability.
  • Train and mentor junior technicians on electrical system operations and safety practices.

 

Work Environment

Education

If you are a high school student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, you should have a keen interest in:

  • Earth Sciences
  • Mathematics and Physics
  • Environmental Protection
  • Technology and Innovation
  • Sustainability and Resource Management

If you are a post-secondary student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, the following programs are most applicable.

  • Geophysics
  • Environmental Geoscience
  • Geological Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Science and Policy

In most cases, the minimum education requirement to work as an environmental geophysicist is a graduate degree. Pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in fields related to environmental geophysics can enhance your expertise, career prospects, and ability to contribute to the field. These advanced degrees offer specialized knowledge and skills highly valued in both the professional and academic worlds.

In many provinces, geophysicists must obtain registration and licensure with their provincial association as a Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.). The certification process for geophysicists is similar to that of engineering professions and is typically overseen by the same regulatory body.

Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.

Skills

Technical Skills

  • Seismic data interpretation
  • Geophysical survey techniques
  • Geographic information systems
  • Data analysis and modelling
  • Remote sensing
  • Hydrogeology
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Sample collection and analysis
  • Software proficiency, geophysical and modelling
  • Regulatory knowledge

Personal and Professional Skills

  • Analytical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Communication skills.
  • Critical thinking
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Adaptability
  • Project management
  • Leadership
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Creativity and innovation

Environmental employers look for professionals who can combine technical knowledge with soft skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or  take our Essential Skills courses.

Where to Work

As key executive leaders who shape their company’s sustainability policy, CSOs work in many different types of organizations. Common employers of CSOs include:

  • Municipal, regional, provincial or federal governments
  • First Nations, Métis and Inuit community organizations
  • Environmental professional or advocacy organizations
  • Large corporations that have incorporated sustainability into their core business activities
  • Utility companies
  • Natural resource extraction corporations, such as those in oil & gas, mining, and forestry


Search for jobs on the ECO Canada Job Board.

Education and Skills

Education

If you are a post-secondary student seeking a CSO role in the future, consider pursuing a university degree related to:

  • Business administration or management
  • Public administration
  • Organizational management
  • Social sciences
  • Law
  • Green business administration
  • Environmental studies

In addition to the educational fields mentioned above, you will also need extensive management experience to become a CSO, with well-developed human resources management and leadership skills. Consider educational seminars or post-graduate studies that will hone your analytical thinking, such as:

 

  • Organizational or administrative management
  • Environmental law
  • Public speaking
  • Finance or Accounting

Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.

Skills

Technical Skills

  • Environmental Law
  • Green business administration
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Human Resources Management
  • Public Administration
  • Public Speaking
  • Finance and Budgeting

Personal and Professional Skills

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Superlative and creative problem-solving
  • Analytical skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Attention to detail.
  • Presentation skills

Environmental employers seek professionals who combine technical knowledge with personal and professional skills. Watch our free webinar “Essential Not Optional: Skills Needed to Succeed in Canada’s Environmental Industry” or take our Essential Skills courses.

Role Models

Your Impact

Electrical engineering technicians are crucial in designing, testing, and maintaining electrical systems and equipment, directly impacting the environment and sustainability. Developing renewable energy technologies effectively reduces dependence on fossil fuels and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions. Technicians ensure electrical installations and systems operate efficiently, conserving energy and minimizing waste, reinforcing the sustainability aspect of their role.

Economically, they support industries in transitioning to greener technologies, which can lead to cost savings through energy efficiency and open new markets in the renewable energy sector. Socially, their work creates a safer environment by implementing and maintaining systems that adhere to safety standards, thereby protecting community health. Moreover, their involvement in public utility sectors ensures that essential services are delivered reliably and sustainably, affecting everyday life.

Electrical engineering technicians help shape a sustainable future, balancing the demands of technology, the environment, the economy, and society in everyday work.

Occupational Classification

Marine geologists are classified into the following occupational grouping:

NOC Code: 21102 – Geoscientists and oceanographers

The National Occupational Classification (NOC) provides a standardized language for describing the work performed by Canadians in the labour market. It gives statisticians, labour market analysts, career counsellors, employers, and individual job seekers a consistent way to collect data and describe and understand the nature of work within different occupations.

See ECO’s Blue National Occupational Standard for a career competency profile for a marine geologist that outlines the specific skills, knowledge, and behaviours required for individuals to perform effectively in this particular role. This profile is a benchmark for training and development, ensuring consistency and quality across professions within the blue economy.

Reconnaissance des terres

Dans un esprit de respect, de réciprocité et de vérité, nous honorons et reconnaissons Moh’kinsstis, le territoire traditionnel du Traité 7 et les pratiques orales de la confédération des Pieds-Noirs : Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, ainsi que les nations Îyâxe Nakoda et Tsuut’ina. Nous reconnaissons que ce territoire abrite la Nation métisse de l’Alberta, la région 3 au sein de la patrie historique des Métis du Nord-Ouest. Enfin, nous reconnaissons toutes les nations qui vivent, travaillent et se divertissent sur ce territoire, et qui l’honorent et le célèbrent.

Land Acknowledgment

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity, and truth, we acknowledge that we live, work, and gather on the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, including the Blackfoot Confederacy—comprising the Siksika, Kainai, and Piikani Nations—as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina Nations.

This land, known as Moh’kinsstis in the Blackfoot language and encompassing what is now Districts 5 and 6, is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland.

We recognize and honour the deep connection these Nations have to the land, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share in its stewardship.

As we continue our work, we commit to learning from Indigenous knowledge systems, uplifting Indigenous voices, and fostering relationships rooted in equity, understanding, and reconciliation.

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