Imagine you are the project lead, a marine surveyor at a marine engineering firm, tasked with designing and rehabilitating a waterfront facility. This facility isn't just another construction; it's a beacon of innovation, blending coastal, structural, and geotechnical engineering to create a structure that is a testament to sustainable development and resilience against the changing climate.
Your team, a diverse group of experts in marine structural design, geotechnical engineering, and environmental science, faces a significant challenge. The selected site, while ideal in terms of location and accessibility, presents complex geological and environmental constraints. The seabed is uneven, with areas of soft sediment that could undermine the stability of the proposed structures.
As the lead, you navigate this challenge by spearheading a comprehensive site characterization. Using advanced hydrographic survey techniques, your team maps the seabed's contours and identifies areas requiring stabilization. Collaborating closely, the team integrates this data into the design process, ensuring the facility's foundation is robust and environmentally compliant.
The solution involves innovative berthing and mooring analyses complemented by hand and computer-based techniques. Your expertise in hydrography guides the development of contract drawings and specifications, ensuring every aspect of the design respects the aquatic environment and adheres to regulatory standards.
As construction begins, your role shifts to providing ongoing support, ensuring the project's vision is realized without compromise. The successful integration of diverse engineering principles addresses the initial challenges and sets a new standard for waterfront development, highlighting the critical role of hydrographers in shaping sustainable marine infrastructure.
Job duties vary from one position to the next, but in general, hydrographers are involved in the following activities:
If you are a high school student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, you should have a keen interest in:
If you are a post-secondary student considering a career as an environmental geophysicist, the following programs are most applicable.
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.
Technical Skills
Personal and Professional Skills
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.
As key executive leaders who shape their company’s sustainability policy, CSOs work in many different types of organizations. Common employers of CSOs include:
Search for jobs on the ECO Canada Job Board.
If you are a post-secondary student seeking a CSO role in the future, consider pursuing a university degree related to:
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:
Our Environmental Professional (EP) designation can also help you progress in your chosen environmental career.
Technical Skills
Personal and Professional 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.
Hydrographers are professionals who study and map aquatic environments, including oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes. They use advanced technologies such as sonar, GPS, and GIS to collect and analyze data on water depths, contours, and physical features. This occupation contributes to the conservation and sustainable management of aquatic resources. Hydrographers reduce the risk of accidents and potential harm to marine ecosystems from oil spills or groundings by producing accurate nautical charts and maps to support safe maritime navigation.
Hydrography involves monitoring changes in water bodies that could affect marine habitats and biodiversity. The data collected by hydrographers inform environmental protection efforts, coastal management, and climate change studies, highlighting the role's sustainability aspect. Economically, hydrography supports the maritime industry, fishing, and tourism by ensuring safe and efficient navigation. Socially, it contributes to disaster preparedness and response, particularly in predicting and mitigating the effects of natural disasters like tsunamis and floods.
Hydrographers’ work is crucial for balancing human needs with preserving aquatic environments, making it an essential profession in pursuing sustainability.
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.
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.
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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