The Cool Sheep Careers

TECHNICAL OFFICER

ALSO CALLED

  • Farm technologist
  • Technician
  • Laboratory technician

WHAT’S THE JOB ABOUT?

  • Assisting researchers

Post graduate Masters/PhD students, academic staff, officers in research institutions, Departments of Primary Industry and a range of industries

  • Working in a laboratory

Wool fibre and meat testing, sample preparation, biological procedures, physical tests, instrument / equipment maintenance, calibration and use

  • Working with animals

Artificial insemination, embryo transfer, semen collection, pregnancy testing, monitoring livestock growth and production, tissue and fluid sampling, trialling new technologies

  • Field work

On-farm fibre measurement, plant and pest identification, plant sowing, maintenance and harvesting, fertiliser, water and chemical trials, soil, water and environmental sampling, instrument / equipment maintenance, calibration and use

  • Maintaining policies and procedures

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), animal welfare, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points(HACCP), Codes of Practice

  • Reporting results of laboratory / field tests

Specific application software use, collation and processing of test and trial results/data, preparation of reports for research officers, producers and manufacturers

  • Preparing resources for classes

Maintenance and storage of resources and equipment, ordering and replacement of consumables, collection and preparation of samples, cleaning up after practical classes, undertaking animal husbandry and crop maintenance activities

 

WORK CONDITIONS

  • Technical officers work for government departments, universities, research organisations, large companies and some producer organisations.

 

  • Work may take place in a laboratory and/or office, in an animal house, a glasshouse and outdoors with field trials and animal work.
  • The job can be theoretical but mostly requires practical laboratory and field work skills and  animal handling and care.

 

  • Depending on the workplace, the workday and hours may be structured or may be flexible with irregular, long hours depending on the activity.
  • Technical officers may work on their own, as part of a team or monitor the work of others.

 

EXPERIENCE AND RELATED TRAINING

    • To be employed as technical officer you must have an appropriate qualification.

 

    • If you are already working at this level you can have your skills recognised by applying for a qualification with a training provider.
  • Skills and/or trade qualifications in a range of related areas such as livestock, cropping, irrigation, mechanics, welding and fabrication and computing can be an advantage.

 

  • Check whether there are training or licensing requirements in your state to do some tasks such as using chemicals or chainsaws, operating a front-end loader or driving a vehicle.

 

 

Career path

 

Training Requirements

 

  • Laboratory / Field /Technical Assistant

 

You undertake laboratory, animal or field work under supervision.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

  • Certificate 3 in Laboratory Skills

(or equivalent)

  • Technical Officer

 

You work independently on a range of tasks as directed by a research officer or facilitate delivery in an educational institution.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

  • Certificate 4 in Laboratory Techniques
  • Diploma of Laboratory Technology

(or equivalent)

  • Professional Officer / Project Manager

 

You are responsible for the management of a laboratory or research project.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION

  • Advanced Diploma of Laboratory Operations

 

TERTIARY EDUCATION

  • Degree in Agriculture
  • Degree in Science

(or equivalent)

 

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