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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hydrographic Technician

💰 $55,000 - $95,000

MarineGeoscienceEngineeringSurveyingTechnician

🎯 Role Definition

As a Hydrographic Technician, you are the hands-on expert at the forefront of ocean exploration and marine infrastructure development. You will be responsible for operating sophisticated sonar and positioning equipment to acquire, process, and analyze critical seabed data. This role involves a dynamic mix of offshore fieldwork and office-based data processing, requiring meticulous attention to detail, technical proficiency, and a commitment to safety. You will be an integral part of a survey team, contributing directly to the success of projects ranging from offshore wind farm construction and subsea cable routing to nautical charting and environmental habitat mapping.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Survey Assistant or Deckhand with technical training
  • Recent graduate from a Geomatics, Marine Technology, or Geology program
  • GIS Technician with an interest in marine applications

Advancement To:

  • Senior Hydrographic Technician / Lead Technician
  • Hydrographic Surveyor / Party Chief
  • Shore-based Data Processor / Data Analyst
  • Project Manager (Survey Operations)

Lateral Moves:

  • GIS Analyst / Marine Data Manager
  • ROV Pilot/Technician or AUV Operator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Operate and monitor a suite of hydrographic and geophysical survey sensors, including multibeam echosounders (MBES), side-scan sonar (SSS), sub-bottom profilers (SBP), and magnetometers.
  • Perform rigorous daily, weekly, and pre-deployment calibrations of all survey systems, such as patch tests for multibeam systems, to ensure the highest data quality.
  • Collect and record accurate bathymetric, backscatter, and water column data in accordance with project specifications and industry best practices.
  • Conduct real-time quality control of incoming sensor data during acquisition, identifying and troubleshooting any anomalies or equipment malfunctions immediately.
  • Deploy, operate, and recover oceanographic instruments, including CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) probes and sound velocity profilers, to apply correct sound speed corrections to bathymetric data.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot complex survey hardware, software, and networking systems both on the vessel and in the office, including GPS/GNSS receivers, motion sensors, and gyrocompasses.
  • Assist with the mobilization and demobilization of survey equipment on vessels, which includes installation, interfacing, and testing of all sensor packages.
  • Process raw hydrographic and geophysical data using industry-standard software packages (e.g., CARIS, QPS, Hypack) to generate clean, corrected data sets.
  • Maintain detailed and accurate survey logs, including daily progress reports, equipment performance records, and data acquisition metadata.
  • Ensure strict adherence to company and client Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies and procedures during all offshore and onshore operations.
  • Execute established survey line plans and patterns, communicating effectively with the vessel bridge crew to ensure precise vessel navigation and coverage.
  • Manage the flow and storage of large volumes of digital survey data, implementing robust backup, and archiving procedures to prevent data loss.
  • Assist Senior Surveyors and Data Processors in the preliminary interpretation of seabed features and the creation of draft charts and digital terrain models.
  • Perform vessel offset measurements and dimensional control surveys to accurately define the geometric relationship between all onboard sensors.
  • Provide technical support for acoustic positioning systems (USBL, LBL) used for tracking underwater vehicles like ROVs and AUVs.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis for project planning and reporting.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of survey methodologies, operational procedures, and safety protocols.
  • Collaborate with other marine departments, including ROV teams and vessel crew, to ensure seamless and efficient integrated operations.
  • Participate in project meetings, safety briefings, and toolbox talks, providing valuable technical input from a hands-on perspective.
  • Assist in the preparation of final project deliverables, including survey reports, data charts, and certified datasets for client submission.
  • Manage the inventory of survey consumables and spare parts, ensuring the team is well-equipped for planned and unplanned maintenance.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Hydrographic Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience with acquisition and processing software such as CARIS HIPS/SIPS, QPS Qimera/Fledermaus, EIVA NaviSuite, or Teledyne Hypack/Hysweep.
  • Survey System Operation: Expertise in the setup, calibration, and operation of multibeam echosounders (e.g., Kongsberg, R2Sonic), side-scan sonar, and sub-bottom profilers.
  • Positioning and Navigation Systems: Strong understanding of GNSS (GPS, GLONASS), inertial navigation systems (INS), and acoustic positioning (USBL).
  • Data Acquisition & Processing: Proven ability to acquire high-quality marine data and perform processing, including cleaning, filtering, and applying environmental corrections.
  • IT and Networking Fundamentals: Competency in troubleshooting basic computer hardware, software, and Ethernet network issues that are common on survey vessels.
  • Geodesy and Projections: Working knowledge of geodetic datums, map projections, and coordinate reference systems.
  • Mechanical and Electrical Aptitude: Ability to perform basic maintenance, termination, and fault-finding on cables, connectors, and electronic survey equipment.

Soft Skills

  • Meticulous Attention to Detail: Critical for ensuring data integrity, accurate record-keeping, and precise equipment calibration.
  • Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Ability to think critically and troubleshoot technical issues under pressure in a dynamic offshore environment.
  • Teamwork and Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively as part of a small, integrated team for extended periods.
  • Resilience and Offshore Suitability: Mental and physical fitness to work long shifts (typically 12 hours) in challenging maritime conditions, often for 4-6 week rotations.
  • Strong Safety Mindset: An unwavering commitment to personal and team safety, with a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating hazards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • An Associate's Degree, Technical Diploma, or equivalent military training in a relevant technical field.

Preferred Education:

  • A Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is highly advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Geomatics / Surveying Engineering
  • Hydrography or Ocean Mapping
  • Marine Science or Oceanography
  • Geology or Geophysics
  • Electronics Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-5 years of direct, hands-on experience in a hydrographic survey or a closely related marine technical role. Entry-level candidates with a relevant degree and demonstrable technical aptitude may be considered.

Preferred:

  • Prior experience working offshore on survey vessels is strongly preferred.
  • Possession of valid offshore survival and medical certifications (e.g., BOSIET/FOET, OGUK Medical) is a significant plus.
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