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  2. Technicians and Technologists
  3. Chemical Technician and Technologist

Chemical Technician and Technologist

NOC #22100

  • Environment Primarily indoor/office work
  • Education Post-secondary diploma
  • Average salary $44,000 to $84,000

Career profile

Chemical technicians and technologists help design operations, implement process controls and address equipment corrosion concerns. They also research new products and technologies, as well as environmental and reclamation techniques that help to keep the energy industry on the leading edge.

The typical roles in this occupation include:

  • Process control technicians contribute to the design, implementation and improvement of systems required to control temperature, pressure and flow of oil and natural gas during processing.
  • Corrosion specialists contribute to the design, implementation and improvement of cathodic protection programs. They investigate corrosion failures and recommend improvements.
  • Laboratory technicians and quality control technologists conduct chemical analyses on air, water, soil and oil. They ensure quality control on chemical products used by the industry.
  • Chemical specialists research new and improved products and technologies for oil and natural gas recovery, surface separation and production or environmental management.
Oil and gas services, Pipelines, Offshore, Oil sands, Exploration and production, Carbon capture, utilization and storage, Emissions reduction, Wellsite decommissioning

In this occupation activities may include:

  • Conducting chemical or physical laboratory tests to assist plant production engineers and process engineers in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solids, liquids or gaseous materials
  • Providing support in the development and implementation of new and improved products and technologies
  • Providing technical support or assistance to chemists, engineers or operations personnel
  • Preparing chemical solutions for products or processes, following standardized or experimental formulas
  • Interpreting the results of tests and analyses
  • Communicating finds from compilations of data and technical reports

Education

  • For chemical technicians, a one- or two-year post-secondary diploma in chemistry, biochemistry, science or environmental engineering technology is typically required. For chemical technologists, a two- or three-year post-secondary diploma in chemistry, biochemistry, science or environmental engineering technology (or a related discipline) is typically required.

Certifications

  • Specific health and safety certifications will be determined by job requirements
  • Standard and emergency first aid
  • H2S Alive®
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)

 

  • Shiftwork/variable work hours
  • Primarily indoor work
  • Safety-sensitive environment

Companies need your research skills. You love chemistry, experiments and are analytical and detail-oriented.

  • Chemistry
  • Critical thinking
  • Quality control analysis
  • Evaluating systems
  • Attention to detail
  • Engineering and technology
  • Production and processing
  • Technology design
  • Troubleshooting
  • Critical thinking