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OaSIS 2025 Version 1.0
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22110.02 – Biological technicians

Biological 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.

Overview

Example job titles

  • Agrology technician
  • Aquaculture technician
  • Botanical technician

Core competencies

  • Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment to calibrate various instruments and to troubleshoot technical issues in laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, centrifuges and other equipment
  • Critical Thinking, Decision Making and Problem Solving to conduct experiments and interpret intricate data sets to answer complex research questions
  • Categorization Flexibility and Information Ordering to organize and classify genetic data, categorize specimens or detail characteristics of specimens in studies
  • Near Vision to examine cellular structures, identify micro-organisms and perform intricate laboratory procedures
  • Attention to Detail to detect subtle variations in biological specimens and identify anomalies in data sets
  • Knowledge in Agriculture and Horticulture to understand environmental protection, agricultural development theories and practices to contribute to scientific research, interpret data and collect specimens

Main duties

This group performs 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.

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.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Agricultural and fish products inspectors (22111)
  • Conservation and fishery officers (22113)
  • Forestry technologists and technicians (22112)
  • Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations (33101)
  • Medical laboratory technologists (32120)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

2 – Natural and applied sciences and related occupations

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

22 – Technical occupations related to natural and applied sciences

Sub-major group

221 – Technical occupations related to natural sciences

Minor group

2211 – Technical occupations in life sciences

Unit group

22110 – Biological technologists and technicians

Occupational profile

22110.02 – Biological technicians

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.