• Agricultural Technician Job Description

    An agricultural technician is a person who provides assistance to agricultural scientists carrying out research to improve crop production or animal husbandry techniques. Their job involves setting up and maintaining laboratory equipment for experiments, collecting and preparing crop or animal samples for experiments, and recording and analyzing data from the experiments.

    An agricultural technician should be well organized, curious, analytical, dependable and adaptable, and have the ability to work with and without supervision. They should also be able to communicate effectively, and handle and operate scientific equipment.

  • What does an Agricultural Technician do?

    Agricultural technicians may do some or all of the following:

    • work with scientists, farmers and engineers to improve agricultural techniques and processes
    • set up, operate and maintain equipment and tools used for agricultural research and production
    • perform agricultural experiments
    • record experiment results accurately and analyze data
    • write reports, reviews, and summaries of experiments
    • assist in developing new and efficient methods of plant or animal farming
    • assist in the cultivation or breeding of new crop or animal varieties
    • assist in the planning and execution of soil remediation
  • Where does an Agricultural Technician work?
  • Working Conditions

    Agricultural technicians usually work normal office hours, but may sometimes work evenings and weekends, or be on call. They work indoors in offices, laboratories and factories, and also outdoors on farms. They may travel for work or to attend conferences or seminars.

  • What is Required to Become an Agricultural Technician ?

    There are no standard educational requirements to become an agricultural technician, but employers usually prefer to hire candidates with a post secondary school education in agricultural science such as an associate degree in agricultural science or technology.

  • Modules
  • Specializations
  • Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

    Agricultural technicians need to have:

    • patience
    • perseverance
    • self-motivation
    • dependability
    • adaptability
    • manual dexterity
    • physical fitness
    • accuracy and precision
    • good eyesight
    • good memory
    • good hand-eye coordination
    • good attention to detail
    • good listening and communication skills
    • analytical and problem solving skills
    • time management and organizational skills
    • observational skills
    • record keeping skills
    • math and computer skills
    • the ability to conduct field and laboratory research
    • the ability to work well independently and in a team
    • the ability to work well under pressure and concentrate for long periods
    • the ability to use scientific knowledge to solve problems
    • knowledge of agricultural principles and practices
    • knowledge of plant and animal physiology
    • knowledge of agricultural laws and regulations

References

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