Engineer, Professional Engineer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $37.39 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $53.42 |
| Top | $81.75 |
Interest in synthesizing information to conduct studies of ground-water flow and contamination; to develop guidelines for site selection, treatment and construction; to analyze and prepare recommendations for construction and improvement projects such as rock excavation, pressure grouting and hydraulic-channel erosion control; and to analyze and prepare reports on settlement of buildings, stability of slopes and fills, and probable effects of landslides, and earthquakes to support construction and civil engineering projects
Interest in precision working to design, develop and implement computer applications for geophysics, geochemistry, geology, mapping and related fields, and to plan, develop, co-ordinate and conduct studies in mining exploration, evaluation and feasibility
Interest in supervising technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists; and in providing recommendations on the suitability of locations for civil engineers, mining and oil and gas projects
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Geotechnical engineers work with geologists, other scientists, and engineers to solve engineering and environmental problems. They assess whether planned projects are feasible from an engineering point of view. They also help design cost-effective solutions for projects. They do this while maintaining recognized standards. They may be involved in a wide variety of projects, including:
Geotechnical engineers often specialize in certain types of work. This can include:
They may be generalists within an area or specialize further. For example, in the oil and gas industry, they may work mostly on oil sands projects or Arctic projects. Or they may focus on the hydrogeological or geomechanical aspects of exploration, production, or pipeline projects.
In general, geotechnical engineers:
Geotechnical engineers may spend a substantial part of their working hours outdoors. They carry out field investigations or supervise construction. They may work on projects in remote locations. They may have to travel a lot, especially for projects in remote locations.
Geotechnical engineers need to possess:
They should enjoy:
The basic educational requirement for geotechnical engineers is a 4-year bachelor’s degree. The degree must include suitable course selections in a related engineering discipline. This could be civil or geological engineering. A graduate degree in geotechnical engineering, along with several years of practice, will provide confidence in decision making.
The following schools offer programs and courses that meet this occupation’s educational requirements. Other eligible programs and courses may be available.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required if you work under the supervision of a Geotechnical P.Eng. (Geotechnical Professional Engineer). However, it may be an asset when seeking employment.
Professional engineers design, construct, evaluate, advise, monitor and report on the performance of materials, equipment, systems, works, processes and structures.
Under Alberta’s Engineering and Geoscience Professions Act [pdf], you must be a registered member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) to practice as a Professional Engineer or engage in the practice of engineering. You do not have to register if you work under the direct supervision of a professional engineer and do not call yourself a Professional Engineer or use the word “engineer” in your job title.
Registration as a Professional Engineer in Alberta requires successful completion of:
A new Provisional Member category has been introduced. For official, detailed information about registration requirements, contact APEGA.
Engineers who are registered and in good standing with a regulatory organization elsewhere in Canada may be eligible for registration in Alberta if the 2 jurisdictions require similar responsibilities and competencies.
For more information, see What if I am already certified in another province or territory in Canada? and APEGA.
To find more information on the certification process for internationally educated engineers, see Professional Engineer Licensing Process [pdf] on the Opportunity Alberta website.
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA)
1500 Scotia One, 10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4A2
Canada
Call: 780-426-3990
Toll-free in North America: 1-800-661-7020
Fax: 780-426-1877
Email: email@apega.ca
Website: www.apega.ca
Geotechnical engineers may work for or contract out to:
In addition to educational requirements, success in this career requires an adequate level of practical knowledge and good engineering judgment. Engineering judgment generally comes from work experience and mentorship. This is often obtained through co-op, internship, or practicum programs. It may also be obtained through part- or full-time employment. However, landing a job may be hard without related experience.
Some companies provide internship and practicum programs to new graduates. These are also open to international professionals with no North American experience. This builds resumes to enter the job market or obtain P.Eng. certification.
Experienced geotechnical engineers may become:
They may also move into management positions. Working in an environment with many different areas of expertise may help geotechnical engineers develop the skills to move into related areas of:
Geotechnical engineers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 2144: Geological engineers. In Alberta, 90% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $24.04 | $75.91 | $37.39 | $32.00 |
| Overall | $30.00 | $96.15 | $53.42 | $50.61 |
| Top | $35.00 | $126.23 | $81.75 | $75.91 |
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* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Oil & Gas Extraction | $155,864 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $107,682 |
| Professional, Scientific & Technical Services | $99,040 |
Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) website: www.apega.ca
Engineers Canada website: www.engineerscanada.ca
Geological Association of Canada (GAC) website: www.gac.ca
Petroleum Labour Market Information (PetroLMI) (formerly Petroleum Human Resources Council of Canada) website: www.careersinoilandgas.com
PHRC's Oil and Gas Careers website: www.oilandgascareerinfo.ca
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
Updated Mar 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.