Geological Technician onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: MSHA training, H2S awareness (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: microscopes; gas detectors; GPS; core saws
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Geological Technician training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Follow rig and mine safety
Carry H2S monitors
Wear PPE
Follow field safety plans
Shadow an experienced geological technician through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: log a drill core
Supervised practice: describe drill cuttings
Supervised practice: keep chain of custody for samples
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Log drill cores: independently
Run mud logging: independently
Collect samples: independently
Run lab tests: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, MSHA training)
Discuss the career path: Field Technician → Geological Technician → Senior Technician
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Log a Drill Core
Describe Drill Cuttings
Keep Chain of Custody for Samples
Core logging
Mud logging
Sample collection
Lab testing

How to measure onboarding success

Weeks to first qualification sign-off
Procedure compliance and safety observations
Recordable incidents and near-misses
First-year retention

How Geological Technician training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Geological Technician Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Geological Technician Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Geological Technician Career
Final Knowledge Check

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Geological Technician Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)