{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:38:01.248Z","occupation":{"soc":"19-1013.00","title":"Soil and Plant Scientists","group":"Life, Physical & Social Science","sector":"54","jobZone":5,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers soil and plant science practice across field research stations, agricultural and forestry landscapes, university and government laboratories, and extension and policy environments, calibrated to Job Zone 5 advanced-degree professionals.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Soil sampling protocols — execute under faculty or senior scientist supervision at established field research sites to collect baseline data.","Scientific literature on soil chemistry and plant physiology — review and summarize to support ongoing laboratory experiments.","Standard laboratory instruments and analytical software — operate under direct guidance to measure soil nutrient levels and physical properties.","Experimental data from crop trials — record and organize using spreadsheet software according to established protocols.","Geographic information system tools — apply under supervision to map basic soil classifications across assigned study areas.","Research findings on soil or plant topics — present in structured seminar settings under faculty mentorship.","Degraded or contaminated soil samples — identify and categorize using established classification software and reference criteria.","Statistical methods and data analysis packages — apply to process experimental results from field and greenhouse trials.","Field observations on plant growth responses — document systematically and report to supervising scientists using standardized templates.","Technical writing conventions for scientific reports — follow to draft sections of manuscripts, grant proposals, or extension materials under close review."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Soil management recommendations — develop and deliver to farmers or landowners based on site-specific soil surveys and productivity data.","Plant growth experiments — design and execute with reduced oversight to evaluate variety responses to environmental stressors in controlled greenhouse settings.","Soil erosion problems and water quality issues — investigate using field sampling and laboratory analysis to determine sources and propose corrective measures.","GIS and map creation software — apply independently to produce spatial analyses illustrating soil degradation patterns across agricultural landscapes.","Field crop trial data — analyze using statistical and analytical software to draw conclusions about yield, disease resistance, and quality outcomes.","Soil conservation methods — adapt established best practices to local farming or forestry conditions and communicate findings to landowner groups.","Soil management experiments — conduct to evaluate how alternative practices affect long-term productivity and chemical or biological characteristics.","Technical presentations and extension workshops — prepare and deliver to professional audiences communicating research results from completed studies.","Remediation plans for chemically impaired soils — draft using integrated knowledge of soil chemistry, biology, and engineering principles.","Collaborative research teams — contribute as a working member by sharing data, troubleshooting methodology, and supporting peer review processes."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Multi-year field crop breeding experiments — design and lead autonomously to develop improved varieties with targeted traits such as drought tolerance or enhanced nutritional value.","Soil use capability assessments — conduct across diverse land types and deliver comprehensive management recommendations to agricultural or forestry clients.","Complex soil contamination investigations — direct from sampling design through root-cause analysis, integrating chemistry, biology, and hydrology data.","Soil rehabilitation plans — develop for degraded landscapes by specifying chemical amendments, biological inoculants, and physical restoration strategies.","Plant–environment interaction mechanisms — investigate through hypothesis-driven experimentation, publishing findings in peer-reviewed journals.","Advanced GIS, CAD, and remote sensing tools — integrate to model soil health trends and forecast land productivity under climate change scenarios.","Non-routine agronomic and soil science problems — resolve by synthesizing cross-disciplinary knowledge and applying original analytical frameworks.","Research courses, graduate seminars, and professional workshops — teach to advanced students and practitioners in university or agency settings.","Soil and plant science methodology — evaluate and refine by critically assessing existing literature and identifying gaps warranting new experimental approaches.","Landowner and agency advisory consultations — lead independently to translate complex research into actionable soil and crop management strategies."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Long-term soil and plant science research programs — direct at institutional scale, setting strategic priorities and securing major grant funding.","National or international soil conservation policy — influence by translating research evidence into recommendations for regulatory agencies and agricultural bodies.","Interdisciplinary research collaborations — establish across universities, government agencies, and industry partners to address complex land and food system challenges.","Next-generation crop improvement frameworks — architect by integrating genomic, agronomic, and climate data to guide breeding program directions.","Institutional knowledge systems and research infrastructure — develop including laboratory facilities, field stations, and data platforms serving the broader scientific community.","Early-career scientists, graduate students, and extension professionals — mentor systematically by designing training pathways and cultivating independent research capability.","Organizational approaches to soil degradation and food security — shape by synthesizing systems-level evidence and leading high-stakes decision-making processes.","Scientific communication strategy — lead across peer-reviewed publication, public media, and policy briefings to maximize societal impact of soil and plant research.","Professional standards and ethical guidelines for soil and plant science — establish by contributing to disciplinary societies, accreditation bodies, and regulatory review panels.","Emerging technologies such as precision agriculture sensors and AI-driven soil analytics — evaluate and champion adoption across research institutions and agricultural sectors."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}