What Do Agricultural Technicians Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Agricultural Technicians 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. They also record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.

Other tasks include:

• Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.
• Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results.
• Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.
• Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing.
• Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
• Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.

We asked Agricultural Technicians how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Agricultural Technicians record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care. They 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.

A typical day for an Agricultural Technician will also include:

• Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing.
• Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers.
• Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
• Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
• Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests.

We asked some Agricultural Technicians a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	44% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	48% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	84% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	6% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	7% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	35% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Agricultural Technicians also maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness. They may also perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Agricultural Technicians Respond to general inquiries or requests from the public. They might also Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care.

In addition, they Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.

To some Agricultural Technicians, it is also their responsibility to Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as an Agricultural Technician, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/agricultural-and-food-science-technicians.htm

http://www.a-s-f.org/

http://www.agronomy.org/

http://www.crops.org/