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Agricultural Technicians

SOC 19-4012.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis 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.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Farm machinery operation — identify and safely start tractors, plows, and mowers under direct supervisor guidance on a working farm.
  2. Land preparation tasks — perform basic tilling, discing, and leveling activities following established protocols on a supervised field site.
  3. Crop production duties — carry out assigned hoeing, weeding, and pruning activities under direct instruction during growing season operations.
  4. Animal and crop samples — collect field specimens using standard procedures under technician supervision for laboratory submission.
  5. Laboratory and field equipment — assist in setting up instruments and test stations according to a checklist before supervised site testing.
  6. Data recording — enter observation notes and basic experimental measurements into a spreadsheet or database template during routine trials.
  7. Agricultural facilities — clean and perform minor upkeep on tools and equipment following safety and sanitation checklists after daily use.
  8. Disease and pest recognition — identify common visual indicators of crop diseases or pest damage by referencing field identification guides on-site.
  9. Reading comprehension — interpret written work orders, safety data sheets, and equipment manuals to complete assigned daily tasks correctly.
  10. Time management — organize personal daily task sequences under supervisor direction to meet scheduled crop production or research deadlines.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Farm machinery operation — independently operate and maneuver tractors, sprayers, and balers across varied field conditions with reduced oversight.
  2. Land preparation — select and apply appropriate plowing, contouring, or leveling techniques for different soil types and crop rotation plans.
  3. Crop production management — execute a full seasonal cycle of tilling, pruning, and harvesting activities with minimal direct supervision on mid-scale operations.
  4. Sample collection and handling — apply correct sampling protocols for both animal and plant specimens, maintaining chain-of-custody documentation for research records.
  5. Equipment setup and calibration — configure laboratory and field testing instruments to project specifications and verify calibration before data collection begins.
  6. Experimental data recording — compile structured field and lab datasets using database software, ensuring accuracy and completeness for researcher review.
  7. Facility and equipment maintenance — diagnose minor mechanical faults in agricultural tools and schedule or perform repairs to maintain operational readiness.
  8. Specimen examination — assess crop and animal samples for signs of disease, nutritional deficiency, or environmental stress, flagging anomalies for senior review.
  9. GIS and mobile tools — use geographic information system and mobile location-based software to map field zones and track agronomic conditions across a farm.
  10. Coordination and communication — liaise with research staff and equipment operators to align daily field schedules and resolve routine workflow conflicts.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex machinery operations — plan and oversee multi-machine field operations including combines, earthmoving equipment, and trucks across large or varied agricultural sites.
  2. Advanced land preparation — design and execute precision land-contouring and drainage plans to optimize soil conditions for specialty crops or vineyards.
  3. Full-cycle crop production — autonomously manage all crop production phases from germination through harvest, adjusting practices in response to non-routine environmental conditions.
  4. Diagnostic specimen analysis — independently examine animal and crop specimens to identify diseases, pathogens, or pest infestations and recommend evidence-based intervention strategies.
  5. Research protocol execution — implement multi-variable field and lab experiments, ensuring data integrity and adapting methodology when unanticipated conditions arise.
  6. Integrated data management — build and maintain ERP and database systems that consolidate experimental, production, and animal care records for cross-functional analysis.
  7. Equipment reliability programs — develop preventive maintenance schedules for the full fleet of agricultural machinery, reducing downtime and ensuring safety compliance.
  8. Critical analysis and reporting — synthesize field and laboratory findings into written technical reports and presentations for research teams and agricultural stakeholders.
  9. Active learning and technology adoption — evaluate and integrate emerging precision-agriculture technologies, including updated GIS platforms and sensor tools, into existing field operations.
  10. 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
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Organizational operations strategy — lead the planning and coordination of all agricultural research and production operations across multiple field sites and seasonal cycles.
  2. Technical program development — design multi-year agronomic research programs, defining experimental protocols, resource requirements, and success metrics for institutional outcomes.
  3. Workforce development — mentor and train cohorts of emerging and developing technicians, building team competency in crop science, machinery operation, and data management.
  4. Cross-functional leadership — direct collaboration between research scientists, farm managers, and external partners to align field operations with broader organizational goals.
  5. Quality and safety governance — establish and enforce facility safety standards, equipment maintenance policies, and data integrity protocols across the entire operation.
  6. Resource and budget management — oversee procurement of machinery, laboratory supplies, and technology tools, optimizing expenditure within administrative and ERP frameworks.
  7. Knowledge management — author standard operating procedures, technical manuals, and training curricula that codify best practices for agricultural technician roles organization-wide.
  8. Strategic technology integration — evaluate and champion adoption of advanced precision-agriculture platforms, GIS systems, and automation tools at the enterprise level.
  9. Stakeholder communication — present research findings, production outcomes, and program recommendations to executive leadership, funding bodies, and regulatory agencies.
  10. Innovation and continuous improvement — identify systemic inefficiencies in crop production or research workflows and lead evidence-based initiatives that elevate organizational performance.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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  1. Emerging
  2. Developing
  3. Proficient
  4. Advanced
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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors52 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Acidity Tester · Agricultural Assistant · Agricultural Equipment Technician · Agricultural Research Technician (Agricultural Research Tech) · Agricultural Research Technologist · Agricultural Service Technician · Agricultural Specialist · Agricultural Technician (Agricultural Tech) · Agriculture Assistant · Agriculture Field Technician (Agriculture Field Tech) · Agriculture Research Lab Assistant (Agriculture Research Laboratory Assistant) · Agriculture Technician (Agriculture Tech)
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingActive LearningMonitoringWritingJudgment and Decision MakingInstructingOperations MonitoringTime ManagementCoordinationSpeaking
Knowledge domains
Food ProductionBiologyChemistryMechanicalMathematicsAdministration and Management
Abilities
Problem SensitivityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionNear VisionWritten ComprehensionWritten ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInformation OrderingInductive ReasoningVisual Color Discrimination
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailPerseveranceIntegrityAchievement OrientationCautiousness
Technology
Desktop publishing softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information systemMobile location based services softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareWord processing softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring.
  2. Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks.
  3. Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.
  4. Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
  5. Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
  6. Collect animal or crop samples.
  7. Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
  8. Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
CIP education codes
01.000001.090101.090501.090701.110101.110201.120101.139926.0101

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.