2221 Biological technologists and technicians

 

Category: Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

Major Group 22 : Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences

 

Biological technologists and technicians provide technical support and services to scientists, engineers and other professionals working in fields such as agriculture, resource management, environmental protection, plant and animal biology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology and health sciences, or may work independently in these fields. They are employed in both laboratory and field settings by governments, manufacturers of food products, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, biotechnology companies, health, research and educational institutions, environmental consulting companies, and resource and utilities companies.

Example Titles

agricultural technician
agricultural technologist
agrology technician
aquaculture technician
bacteriological technician
biological laboratory technologist
botanical technician
fish hatchery technician
fisheries technician
food bacteriological technician
microbiology quality control technologist
microbiology technologist (except medical)
plant breeding technician
seed technologist
wildlife biology technician

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Main duties

Biological technologists perform some or all of the following duties:
Set up and conduct biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses in support of research and quality control in food production, sanitation, pharmaceutical production, biotechnology and other fields
Apply methods and techniques such as microscopy, histochemistry, chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy
Perform experimental procedures in agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology and biomedical research
Conduct field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
Conduct environmental monitoring and compliance activities for the protection of fisheries stock, wildlife and other natural resources
Analyze data and prepare reports
Conduct or supervise operational programs such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programs.

Biological technicians perform some or all of the following duties:
Assist in conducting biological, microbiological and biochemical tests and laboratory analyses
Perform limited range of technical functions in support of agriculture, plant breeding, animal husbandry, biology, biomedical research and environmental protection
Assist in conducting field research and surveys to collect data and samples of water, soil, and plant and animal populations
Assist in analysis of data and preparation of reports.

Employment requirements

Completion of a two- to three-year college program in a field related to agriculture, biology, microbiology, wildlife or resource management is usually required for employment as a biological technologist.
Completion of a one- to two-year college program in a related field is required for employment as a biological technician.
Certification with provincial associations is available, but voluntary.
Additional information

There is limited mobility among occupations in this group.
Some technologists and technicians working in support of government and academic research in biology are university graduates.

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