{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:38:14.315Z","occupation":{"soc":"19-4012.00","title":"Agricultural Technicians","group":"Life, Physical & Social Science","sector":"54","jobZone":3,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":"v.26.05","description":"","contextCovered":"This framework covers agricultural technicians working across field crop production, animal care, and applied agronomic research environments in medium-scale farm, experimental station, and commercial agriculture settings.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Farm machinery operation — identify and safely start tractors, plows, and mowers under direct supervisor guidance on a working farm.","Land preparation tasks — perform basic tilling, discing, and leveling activities following established protocols on a supervised field site.","Crop production duties — carry out assigned hoeing, weeding, and pruning activities under direct instruction during growing season operations.","Animal and crop samples — collect field specimens using standard procedures under technician supervision for laboratory submission.","Laboratory and field equipment — assist in setting up instruments and test stations according to a checklist before supervised site testing.","Data recording — enter observation notes and basic experimental measurements into a spreadsheet or database template during routine trials.","Agricultural facilities — clean and perform minor upkeep on tools and equipment following safety and sanitation checklists after daily use.","Disease and pest recognition — identify common visual indicators of crop diseases or pest damage by referencing field identification guides on-site.","Reading comprehension — interpret written work orders, safety data sheets, and equipment manuals to complete assigned daily tasks correctly.","Time management — organize personal daily task sequences under supervisor direction to meet scheduled crop production or research deadlines."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Farm machinery operation — independently operate and maneuver tractors, sprayers, and balers across varied field conditions with reduced oversight.","Land preparation — select and apply appropriate plowing, contouring, or leveling techniques for different soil types and crop rotation plans.","Crop production management — execute a full seasonal cycle of tilling, pruning, and harvesting activities with minimal direct supervision on mid-scale operations.","Sample collection and handling — apply correct sampling protocols for both animal and plant specimens, maintaining chain-of-custody documentation for research records.","Equipment setup and calibration — configure laboratory and field testing instruments to project specifications and verify calibration before data collection begins.","Experimental data recording — compile structured field and lab datasets using database software, ensuring accuracy and completeness for researcher review.","Facility and equipment maintenance — diagnose minor mechanical faults in agricultural tools and schedule or perform repairs to maintain operational readiness.","Specimen examination — assess crop and animal samples for signs of disease, nutritional deficiency, or environmental stress, flagging anomalies for senior review.","GIS and mobile tools — use geographic information system and mobile location-based software to map field zones and track agronomic conditions across a farm.","Coordination and communication — liaise with research staff and equipment operators to align daily field schedules and resolve routine workflow conflicts."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Complex machinery operations — plan and oversee multi-machine field operations including combines, earthmoving equipment, and trucks across large or varied agricultural sites.","Advanced land preparation — design and execute precision land-contouring and drainage plans to optimize soil conditions for specialty crops or vineyards.","Full-cycle crop production — autonomously manage all crop production phases from germination through harvest, adjusting practices in response to non-routine environmental conditions.","Diagnostic specimen analysis — independently examine animal and crop specimens to identify diseases, pathogens, or pest infestations and recommend evidence-based intervention strategies.","Research protocol execution — implement multi-variable field and lab experiments, ensuring data integrity and adapting methodology when unanticipated conditions arise.","Integrated data management — build and maintain ERP and database systems that consolidate experimental, production, and animal care records for cross-functional analysis.","Equipment reliability programs — develop preventive maintenance schedules for the full fleet of agricultural machinery, reducing downtime and ensuring safety compliance.","Critical analysis and reporting — synthesize field and laboratory findings into written technical reports and presentations for research teams and agricultural stakeholders.","Active learning and technology adoption — evaluate and integrate emerging precision-agriculture technologies, including updated GIS platforms and sensor tools, into existing field operations.","Judgment under uncertainty — apply inductive and deductive reasoning to resolve ambiguous crop health or equipment scenarios with limited supervisor input on active research sites."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Organizational operations strategy — lead the planning and coordination of all agricultural research and production operations across multiple field sites and seasonal cycles.","Technical program development — design multi-year agronomic research programs, defining experimental protocols, resource requirements, and success metrics for institutional outcomes.","Workforce development — mentor and train cohorts of emerging and developing technicians, building team competency in crop science, machinery operation, and data management.","Cross-functional leadership — direct collaboration between research scientists, farm managers, and external partners to align field operations with broader organizational goals.","Quality and safety governance — establish and enforce facility safety standards, equipment maintenance policies, and data integrity protocols across the entire operation.","Resource and budget management — oversee procurement of machinery, laboratory supplies, and technology tools, optimizing expenditure within administrative and ERP frameworks.","Knowledge management — author standard operating procedures, technical manuals, and training curricula that codify best practices for agricultural technician roles organization-wide.","Strategic technology integration — evaluate and champion adoption of advanced precision-agriculture platforms, GIS systems, and automation tools at the enterprise level.","Stakeholder communication — present research findings, production outcomes, and program recommendations to executive leadership, funding bodies, and regulatory agencies.","Innovation and continuous improvement — identify systemic inefficiencies in crop production or research workflows and lead evidence-based initiatives that elevate organizational performance."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}