Geotechnical engineer
Engineering and manufacturing
Level 7 -
Understand, model and analyse the ground.
Reference: OCC0881
Status:
SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 2121/02 Geotechnical engineers
Technical Education Products
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Aecom, Amey Consulting, Atkins, Cementation Skanska, Geo Consulting Engineering Ltd, Geotechnical consulting group LLP, Groundwater Engineering Limited, Jacobs, LEAP Environmental Ltd, Network Rail, Peter Brett Associates, RSK Environment Ltd, Severn Trent Water, Wardell Armstrong LLP
Summary
Geotechnical engineers operate in the engineering sector and deal with engineering in the ground.
They may work for contractors, asset owners and operators, consultants, developers and regulatory bodies.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to understand, model and analyse the ground in relation to natural and engineering processes. They specify and manage ground investigations (both desk studies and intrusive investigation) and create detailed ground models to analyse the response of the ground to loading for example, by man-made structures, engineering activities such as railway cuttings and natural processes such as erosion. They are required to manage and interact with a broad range of stakeholders (engineers, clients, asset owners, developers) from conceptual advice through to construction of ground engineering projects. They undertake and manage the specification and detailed design, including optioneering/value engineering of geotechnical structures and ground engineering solutions. They manage resources, budgets, sustainability and risk in relation to ground engineering projects. They manage teams and/or other professionals and aid other’s professional development.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with their direct team within the organisation in which they work, as well as other internal teams, managers and senior employees. External to the organisation in which they work, they will interact with representatives from suppliers (material and services), contractors, engineers, asset owners and operators, regulatory bodies, developers, and clients. They will typically report to team leaders and directors within the organisation in which they work. They will have considerable autonomy in their day to day work.
They may work within an office, on site or split their time between both of these.
An employee in this occupation is responsible for managing ground engineering projects specifically in relation to sustainability, risk, cost, programme, resources, health, safety and environment. They are responsible for understanding the effects of natural and engineering process on the ground and modelling the response of the ground in relation to these activities. They understand and have a working knowledge of the relevant commercial, contractual and legal requirements of the projects that they work on. They work and adhere to their organisation’s internal processes and management systems. They are required to undertake continuing professional development activities and encourage and aid the development of others. They are required to undertake all duties in a professional and ethical manner representing the organisation in which they work and adhering to specific and relevant standards, execution codes and accepted methods of practice.
Employers involved in creating the standard:
Aecom, Amey Consulting, Atkins, Cementation Skanska, Geo Consulting Engineering Ltd, Geotechnical consulting group LLP, Groundwater Engineering Limited, Jacobs, LEAP Environmental Ltd, Network Rail, Peter Brett Associates, RSK Environment Ltd, Severn Trent Water, Wardell Armstrong LLP
Typical job titles include:
Keywords:
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
Duties
Duty D1
Create ground-models by interpreting geological, geomorphological and hydrogeological data and identify geo-hazards for example, adverse settlements, subsidence and landslides, across both surface and sub-surface to facilitate management of risk and uncertainty in the ground throughout the life of a project.
Duty D2
Analyse, interpret and critically evaluate the data of a ground investigation via desk study research, using for example, historical maps and planning records to plan future engineering investigations and activities.
Duty D3
Design and supervise a ground investigation for example, intrusive investigations such as trial pits and boreholes, non-invasive investigations via geophysical techniques, taking of samples for laboratory testing and testing in the field (to determine ground properties), scheduling laboratory testing, establishing monitoring approaches and setting up appropriate instrumentation to monitor ground responses.
Duty D4
Identify, manage and mitigate risks for example, health and safety, project and financial risks on site (throughout the life of a project, whether during ground investigation or construction process).
Duty D5
Work with contaminated land specialists to identify risks associated with contaminated land and determine engineering measures to manage those risks.
Duty D6
Undertake detailed assessment and analysis (using appropriate methods for example, analytical, numerical, critical analysis) of the ground behaviour including properties of rocks and soils, and their response to natural or proposed engineering activities.
Duty D7
Design geotechnical structures for example, slopes, foundations, retaining structures including optioneering and detailed design, allowing for consideration of sustainability, constructability and ground conditions.
Duty D8
Produce geotechnical reports throughout the phases of investigation, optioneering, design and construction for stakeholders for example, engineers and clients.
Duty D9
Provide geotechnical and/or engineering geology support to stakeholders for example, engineers and clients and guidance throughout investigation and construction stages.
Duty D10
Develop maintenance strategies and recommend practical interventions for asset management of geotechnical structures for example, earthworks, retaining structures, foundations.
Duty D11
Manage, supervise and develop (depending on the level of seniority) other engineers/professionals.
Duty D12
Manage stakeholders for example, communicate and negotiate with other engineers, clients, subcontractors and regulatory bodies .
Duty D13
Manage geotechnical projects, including: planning, programming, design, risk, budgets, costs and resources.
Duty D14
Assess and promote sustainable geotechnical solutions considering societal, environmental and economic impacts.
Occupational Progression
This occupational progression map shows technical occupations that have transferable knowledge and skills.
In this map, the focused occupation is highlighted in yellow. The arrows indicate where transferable knowledge and skills exist between two occupations. This map shows some of the strongest progression links between the focused occupation and other occupations.
It is anticipated that individuals would be required to undertake further learning or training to progress to and from occupations. To find out more about an occupation featured in the progression map, including the learning options available, click the occupation.
Progression decisions have been reached by comparing the knowledge and skills statements between occupational standards, combined with individualised learner movement data.
Technical Occupations
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Construction and the built environment
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