Agricultural Technicians

Work with agricultural scientists in plant, fiber, and animal research, or assist with animal breeding and nutrition. Set up or maintain laboratory equipment and collect samples from crops or animals. Prepare specimens or record data to assist scientists in biology or related life science experiments. Conduct tests and experiments to improve yield and quality of crops or to increase the resistance of plants and animals to disease or insects.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Agricultural Research Technician (Agricultural Research Tech); Agricultural Research Technologist; Agricultural Technician (Agricultural Tech); Agriculture Assistant; Agronomy Research Technician (Agronomy Research Tech); Field Assistant; Insect Research Technician (Insect Research Tech); Lab Tech (Laboratory Technician); Seed Analyst

Tasks

• Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
• Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
• Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
• Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
• Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
• Collect animal or crop samples.
• Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
• Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
• Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.

Knowledge

• Food Production
• Biology
• Mechanical
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Administration and Management

Skills

• Reading Comprehension
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Writing
• Active Learning
• Monitoring
• Speaking

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Near Vision
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Information Ordering
• Category Flexibility
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Visual Color Discrimination
• Fluency of Ideas
• Originality
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Number Facility
• Flexibility of Closure
• Perceptual Speed
• Selective Attention
• Control Precision
• Far Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Speech Clarity