Drafting and Survey Technician

Overview

As a member of the Military Engineering Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces, Drafting and Survey Technicians (DS Tech) provide deployed and domestic drafting and survey support to the CAF and other government departments anywhere in the world. Their primary responsibilities are :

• Collect geodetic survey data using GNSS and other survey equipment
• Use data to produce digital and hard copy civil and site drawings, and designs of specific areas
• Use computer aided design (CAD) software to produce digital and hard copy designs
• Provide survey and drawing support to military specialist engineering teams

Work environment

Drafting and Survey Technicians are members of the Royal Canadian Air Force. They may be called upon to support CAF exercises and operations, including those led by the Royal Canadian Navy. The primary work environment is in an office, however fieldwork is a large component of the job and is conducted in approved weather conditions, 24 / 7, on bases, wings or in operational theatres. Drafting and Survey Technicians use high-tech computer workstations and software designed for drafting and survey applications. They are employed in Kingston, ON and Gagetown, NB. As you progress, you may also have the opportunity to be posted to Brussels, Belgium.

If you choose a career in the Regular Force, after completion of training you will be assigned to your first base. Postings can involve relocation. If you join the Primary Reserve Force, you will do so through a specific Reserve unit. Outside of training, your Reserve unit will be your workplace on a part-time basis, and you may not be obligated to relocate; you can volunteer to move to another base. As part of the Primary Reserve Force, you typically work one night per week and some weekends as a minimum with possibilities of full-time employment.

Entry plans

No previous work experience or career-related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation. The minimum education requirement is the completion of provincial requirements for Grade 11 high school, Secondary 5 in Quebec or equivalent, including Grade 11 applied math or Secondary 5 applied math in Quebec. Foreign education may be accepted.

Training

The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course (Basic Training) at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades and aims to maintain CAF physical fitness standards; the training is demanding.

Drafting and Survey Technicians attend the Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering (CFSME) at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, Oromocto, New Brunswick. You will receive instruction on the following topics :

Drafting and Survey Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including :

Part-time options

This position is available for part-time employment with the Primary Reserve at certain locations across Canada. Reserve Force members usually serve part-time at a military unit in their community, and may serve while going to school or working in civilian jobs. They are paid during training and are not posted or required to relocate, though they can volunteer to move to another base or to deployment on missions within or outside Canada. Reserve Force members are trained to the same level as Regular Force counterparts. They usually begin training with their home unit to ensure that they meet the required basic professional military standards. Following basic military training, the home unit will arrange for additional training for specialized skills.

Reserve Force members usually serve part-time with their home unit for scheduled evenings and weekends, although they may also serve in full-time positions at some units for fixed terms, depending on the type of work they do. They are paid 92.8 percent of Regular Force rates, receive a reasonable benefits package and may qualify to contribute to a pension plan.

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