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.
- Tasks
- 26 tasks9 core, 17 supplemental
- Family
- Life, Physical & Social ScienceOne of its 66 occupations
- Code
- 19-4012.00SOC 2018: 19-4012
What the work is made of
9 core tasks and 17 supplemental, each quoted as published, with the survey it came from.
Core: central to the jobSupplemental: done by some, not all
- Task 1. Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.Core taskTask 20533Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 2. Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.Core taskTask 5541Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 3. Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.Core taskTask 5528Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 4. Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.Core taskTask 5544Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 5. Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.Core taskTask 5542Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 6. Collect animal or crop samples.Core taskTask 20530Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 7. Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.Core taskTask 20529Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 8. Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.Core taskTask 20527Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 9. Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.Core taskTask 5548Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 10. 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.Supplemental taskTask 19781Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 11. Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.Supplemental taskTask 20528Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 12. Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.Supplemental taskTask 20526Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 13. Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability.Supplemental taskTask 20535Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 14. Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.Supplemental taskTask 5530Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 15. Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests.Supplemental taskTask 20534Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 16. Supervise pest or weed control operations, including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, or scheduling application.Supplemental taskTask 20531Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 17. Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent.Supplemental taskTask 5543Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 18. Conduct insect or plant disease surveys.Supplemental taskTask 5538Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 19. Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions.Supplemental taskTask 5540Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 20. Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.Supplemental taskTask 19782Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 21. Determine the germination rates of seeds planted in specified areas.Supplemental taskTask 20537Rated by 55 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 22. Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.Supplemental taskTask 5547Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 23. Prepare culture media, following standard procedures.Supplemental taskTask 20536Rated by 53 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 24. Respond to general inquiries or requests from the public.Supplemental taskTask 20532Rated by 56 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 25. Prepare or present agricultural demonstrations.Supplemental taskTask 5549Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2024
- Task 26. Assess comparative soil erosion from various planting or tillage systems, such as conservation tillage with mulch or ridge till systems, no-till systems, or conventional tillage systems with or without moldboard plows.Supplemental taskTask 19780Rated by 54 people who do the job, August 2024
Where this comes from
Quoted from the U.S. Department of Labor, and credited. Nothing on this page is written by us.
How we copy and credit sources- Published byO*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of LaborEmployment and Training Administration
- ClassificationStandard Occupational Classification 2018, 19-4012
- LicenseCC BY 4.0Free to copy and reuse, with credit
- Changed by usNothing.
More in Life, Physical & Social Science
65 other occupations in this family, each with its own page.
- Animal Scientists9 tasks
- Anthropologists and Archeologists30 tasks
- Astronomers17 tasks
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists27 tasks
- Biochemists and Biophysicists24 tasks
- Bioinformatics Scientists20 tasks
- Biological Scientists, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Biological Technicians17 tasks
- Biologists21 tasks
- Chemical Technicians16 tasks
- Chemists12 tasks
- Climate Change Policy Analysts14 tasks
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists30 tasks
- Clinical Neuropsychologists18 tasks
- Conservation Scientists30 tasks
- Economists14 tasks
- Environmental Economists20 tasks
- Environmental Restoration Planners23 tasks
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health25 tasks
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health22 tasks
- Epidemiologists16 tasks
- Food Science Technicians16 tasks
- Food Scientists and Technologists13 tasks
- Forensic Science Technicians24 tasks
- Forest and Conservation Technicians20 tasks
- Foresters25 tasks
- Geneticists24 tasks
- Geographers12 tasks
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians29 tasks
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers32 tasks
- Historians21 tasks
- Hydrologic Technicians16 tasks
- Hydrologists25 tasks
- Industrial Ecologists38 tasks
- Industrial-Organizational Psychologists25 tasks
- Life Scientists, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Materials Scientists16 tasks
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists14 tasks
- Microbiologists14 tasks
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists22 tasks
- Neuropsychologists14 tasks
- Nuclear Monitoring Technicians16 tasks
- Nuclear Technicians18 tasks
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists22 tasks
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians26 tasks
- Park Naturalists20 tasks
- Physical Scientists, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Physicists10 tasks
- Political Scientists14 tasks
- Precision Agriculture Technicians22 tasks
- Psychologists, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Quality Control Analysts26 tasks
- Range Managers16 tasks
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists24 tasks
- Remote Sensing Technicians21 tasks
- School Psychologists19 tasks
- Social Science Research Assistants22 tasks
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All OtherNo tasks listed
- Sociologists15 tasks
- Soil and Plant Scientists27 tasks
- Survey Researchers16 tasks
- Transportation Planners22 tasks
- Urban and Regional Planners25 tasks
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists14 tasks
Use this record
Every task on this page is free to reuse, with credit to O*NET. The code and data behind the record are public.
Partner with us
Fund the next pass, contribute data, or build on the record. Tell us what you have in mind.
Partner with us