HR management

Agricultural technician job description

This article include content: job purpose, key duties/responsibilities and related documents of Agricultural technician.

Job purpose of Agricultural technician

To include farm and livestock tasks in relation to experimental protocols; application treatments to crops and livestock; collect data and samples for lab analysis; data and records management; assist with veterinary care; research work on experiments; operate and maintain farm machinery; harvest of forages for pasture and hay; grounds and facilities maintenance; public outreach events and tours; work schedule adjusted for weekend feeding with other employees or as required by field and weather conditions.

Key duties/responsibilities of Agricultural technician:

1. Measure or weigh ingredients used in testing or for purposes such as animal feed.
2. Provide food and water to livestock and laboratory animals, and record details of their food consumption.
3. Prepare and present agricultural demonstrations.
4. Respond to inquiries and requests from the public that do not require specialized scientific knowledge or expertise.
5. Plant seeds in specified areas, and count the resulting plants in order to determine the percentage of seeds that germinated.
6. Transplant trees, vegetables, and/or horticultural plants.
7. Supervise and train agricultural technicians and farm laborers.
8. Supervise pest or weed control operations including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, scheduling application, and training operators.
9. Adjust testing equipment, and prepare culture media, following standard procedures.
10. Operate laboratory equipment such as spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, and PH meters in order to perform tests.
11. Provide routine animal care such as taking and recording body measurements, applying identification, and assisting in the birthing process.
12. Collect samples from crops or animals so testing can be performed.
13. Prepare data summaries, reports, and analyses that include results, charts, and graphs in order to document research findings and results.
14. Set up laboratory or field equipment, and prepare sites for testing.
15. Receive and prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols in order to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
16. Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, and animal care.
17. Measure and mark plot areas; and plow, disc, level, and otherwise prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards and vineyards.
18. Devise cultural methods and environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent.
19. Maintain and repair agricultural facilities, equipment, and tools in order to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness.
20. Conduct insect and plant disease surveys.
21. Operate farm machinery including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, and trucks.
22. Perform crop production duties such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, and harvesting crops.
23. Examine animals and specimens in order to determine the presence of diseases or other problems.
24. Perform general nursery duties such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, and controlling environmental conditions.

Related docs to Agricultural

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