Agricultural and Food Science Technicians

Specific duties and responsibilities regularly performed in this occupation.

• Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.82
• Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.82
• Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.79
• Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.75
• Conduct studies of nitrogen or alternative fertilizer application methods, quantities, or timing to ensure satisfaction of crop needs and minimization of leaching, runoff, or denitrification.74
• Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.73
• Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.72
• Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.72
• Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability.72
• Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.71
• Collect animal or crop samples.69
• Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests.69

Developed capacities that facilitate learning or the more rapid acquisition of knowledge.

• Reading Comprehension60

  Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

• Active Listening56

  Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

• Critical Thinking56

  Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

• Active Learning53

  Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

• Judgment and Decision Making53

  Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

• Monitoring53

  Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

• Writing53

  Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

• Coordination50

  Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

• Instructing50

  Teaching others how to do something.

• Operations Monitoring50

  Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

• Speaking50

  Talking to others to convey information effectively.

• Time Management50

  Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Organized sets of principles and facts that apply in general domains.

• Food Production65

  Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

• Biology64

  Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

• Chemistry60

  Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

• Mechanical59

  Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

• Mathematics54

  Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

• Administration and Management50

  Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

• English Language49

  Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

• Education and Training47

  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

• Public Safety and Security47

  Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

• Building and Construction44

  Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

• Engineering and Technology43

  Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

• Physics43

  Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Enduring attributes of the individual that influence performance.

• Oral Comprehension69

  The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

• Oral Expression69

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

• Problem Sensitivity69

  The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

• Near Vision66

  The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Written Comprehension63

  The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

• Deductive Reasoning60

  The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

• Written Expression60

  The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

• Inductive Reasoning56

  The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

• Information Ordering56

  The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

• Arm-Hand Steadiness53

  The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

• Category Flexibility53

  The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

• Visual Color Discrimination53

  The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

General types of job behaviors occurring on multiple jobs.

• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment77

  Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

• Documenting/Recording Information71

  Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events71

  Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates70

  Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

• Getting Information68

  Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

• Performing General Physical Activities68

  Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

• Making Decisions and Solving Problems67

  Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work67

  Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

• Processing Information67

  Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

• Handling and Moving Objects66

  Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment65

  Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge65

  Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Personal characteristics that can affect how well someone performs a job.

• Dependability77

  A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

• Attention to Detail67

  A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

• Perseverance57

  A tendency to exhibit determination and resolve to perform or complete tasks in the face of difficult circumstances or obstacles at work.

• Integrity55

  A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

• Achievement Orientation53

  A tendency to establish and maintain personally challenging work-related goals, set high work-related standards, and exert high effort toward meeting those goals and standards.

• Cautiousness44

  A tendency to be careful, deliberate, and risk-avoidant when making work-related decisions or doing work.

• Cooperation42

  A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

• Initiative39

  A tendency to be proactive and take on extra responsibilities and tasks that may fall outside of one's required work role.

• Intellectual Curiosity39

  A tendency to seek out and acquire new work-related knowledge and obtain a deep understanding of work-related subjects.

• Adaptability37

  A tendency to be open to and comfortable with change, new experiences, or ideas at work.

• Innovation36

  A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

• Stress Tolerance33

  A tendency to cope and function effectively in stressful situations at work.

Holland's six occupational interest types (RIASEC) this work tends to attract.

• Realistic97

  Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

• Investigative60

  Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

• Conventional54

  Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

• Enterprising17

  Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

• Social8

  Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

• Artistic0

  Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work.

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

  • Every day76%
  • Once a month or more but not every week15%

• Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

  • Continually or almost continually58%
  • More than half the time37%

• Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

  • Every day54%
  • Once a week or more but not every day37%

• E-Mail

  • Every day66%
  • Once a week or more but not every day11%
  • Once a month or more but not every week11%

• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate

  • Extremely important29%
  • Very important46%
  • Important26%

• In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment

  • Every day33%
  • Once a week or more but not every day46%
  • Once a month or more but not every week12%

• Contact With Others

  • Constant contact with others36%
  • Contact with others most of the time36%
  • Contact with others about half the time16%
  • Occasional contact with others12%

• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

  • Every day42%
  • Once a week or more but not every day39%
  • Once a year or more but not every month13%

• Exposed to Contaminants

  • Every day40%
  • Once a week or more but not every day25%
  • Once a month or more but not every week19%
  • Once a year or more but not every month15%

• Freedom to Make Decisions

  • A lot of freedom30%
  • Some freedom34%
  • Limited freedom25%

• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

  • Extremely important24%
  • Very important48%
  • Important15%
  • Fairly important13%

• Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities

  • Extremely important32%
  • Very important28%
  • Important33%

Education levels O*NET survey respondents in this occupation most often reported having.

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Bachelor’s degree
• Associate’s degree or other 2-year degree

Specific software and technology tools commonly used on the job.

• Electronic mail software

  Email software, Microsoft Outlook

• Presentation software

  Microsoft PowerPoint

• Spreadsheet software

  Microsoft Excel

• Geographic information system

  Geographic information system GIS systems

• Mobile location based services software

  Global positioning system GPS software

• Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  SAP software

• Office suite software

  Microsoft Office software

• Word processing software

  Microsoft Word

• Analytical or scientific software

  Statistical software

• Internet browser software

  Web browser software

• Data base user interface and query software

  Microsoft Access

Organizations related to this occupation, such as industry and licensing bodies.

• Agronomic Science Foundation
• American Dairy Science Association
• American Society for Clinical Pathology
• American Society of Agronomy
• American Society of Animal Science
• American Veterinary Medical Association
• Crop Science Society of America
• Entomological Society of America
• Institute of Food Technologists
• International Society for Seed Science
• Soil Science Society of America
• Southern Weed Science Society
• Weed Science Society of America
• American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists
• Society of Commercial Seed Technologists

Occupations that call for similar work and worker requirements.

• Biomedical and agricultural engineers
• Biological Technicians
• Farmers, Ranchers, and Other Agricultural Managers
• Agricultural and Food Scientists
• Miscellaneous Plant and System Operators
• First-line supervisors of farming, fishing, and forestry workers
• Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science technicians, including social science research assistants
• Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
• Agricultural and Food Scientists
• Miscellaneous agricultural workers, including animal breeders
• Biological Scientists
• Postsecondary Teachers
• Miscellaneous life, physical, and social science technicians, including social science research assistants
• Chemical Technicians
• Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters
• Agricultural and Food Scientists
• Industrial Production Managers
• Chemists and Materials Scientists

More specific, granular versions of the Work Activities above.

• Cultivate land.
• Operate farming equipment.
• Record research or operational data.
• Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.
• Research sustainable agricultural processes or practices.
• Prepare biological samples for testing or analysis.
• Measure ingredients.
• Test quality of materials or finished products.
• Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
• Collect biological specimens.
• Operate laboratory or field equipment.
• Examine characteristics or behavior of living organisms.