Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
Work Activities
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Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
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Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
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Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can best use land, promote plant growth, or avoid or correct problems such as erosion.
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Conduct experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops, focusing on characteristics such as yield, quality, disease resistance, nutritional value, or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
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Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
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Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
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Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
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Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.
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Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
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Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
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Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.
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Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
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Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.
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Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.
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Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.
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Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.
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Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.
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Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.
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Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.
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Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.
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Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.
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Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces, such as green roof installations.
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Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.
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Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.
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Study insect distribution or habitat and recommend methods to prevent importation or spread of injurious species.
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Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.
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Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.
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Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
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Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Inductive Reasoning
The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
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Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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Computers and Electronics
Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
- Education
Bachelor's degree
- Work Experience
No work experience
- Training
No on-the-job training
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Looking for technical training programs?
Check out these programs:
Investigative:
People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
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Integrity
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Analytical Thinking
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Attention to Detail
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Dependability
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Persistence
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Cooperation
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Soil core sampling apparatus
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Radarbased surveillance systems
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Photometers
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Laboratory flasks
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Gel documentation systems
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Word processing software
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Map creation software
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Data base user interface and query software
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Categorization or classification software
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Analytical or scientific software
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Bright Outlook occupations will grow rapidly in the next few years, have a large number of openings, or are new and emerging careers.
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Apprenticeships are available for this occupation. These programs can help you get hands-on experience and build your skills.
