According to people in this career, the main tasks are...
| Task | Importance |
|---|---|
| Record data pertaining to experimentation, research, or animal care. | 90% |
| Measure or weigh ingredients used in laboratory testing. | 85% |
| Prepare data summaries, reports, or analyses that include results, charts, or graphs to document research findings and results. | 84% |
| Perform crop production duties, such as tilling, hoeing, pruning, weeding, or harvesting crops. | 82% |
| Prepare laboratory samples for analysis, following proper protocols to ensure that they will be stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively. | 82% |
| Set up laboratory or field equipment as required for site testing. | 82% |
| Examine animals or crop specimens to determine the presence of diseases or other problems. | 81% |
| Collect animal or crop samples. | 81% |
| Record environmental data from field samples of soil, air, water, or pests to monitor the effectiveness of integrated pest management (IPM) practices. | 80% |
| Supervise pest or weed control operations, including locating and identifying pests or weeds, selecting chemicals and application methods, or scheduling application. | 80% |
| Supervise or train agricultural technicians or farm laborers. | 78% |
| 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. | 75% |
| Conduct insect or plant disease surveys. | 74% |
| Maintain or repair agricultural facilities, equipment, or tools to ensure operational readiness, safety, and cleanliness. | 73% |
| Prepare land for cultivated crops, orchards, or vineyards by plowing, discing, leveling, or contouring. | 73% |
| Operate farm machinery, including tractors, plows, mowers, combines, balers, sprayers, earthmoving equipment, or trucks. | 73% |
| Perform laboratory or field testing, using spectrometers, nitrogen determination apparatus, air samplers, centrifuges, or potential hydrogen (pH) meters to perform tests. | 72% |
| Perform tests on seeds to evaluate seed viability. | 70% |
| Perform general nursery duties, such as propagating standard varieties of plant materials, collecting and germinating seeds, maintaining cuttings of plants, or controlling environmental conditions. | 69% |
| Devise cultural methods or environmental controls for plants for which guidelines are sketchy or nonexistent. | 68% |
| Respond to general inquiries or requests from the public. | 67% |
| Prepare culture media, following standard procedures. | 65% |
| Transplant trees, vegetables, or horticultural plants. | 63% |
| Prepare or present agricultural demonstrations. | 63% |
| Determine the germination rates of seeds planted in specified areas. | 62% |
| Assess comparative soil erosion from various planting or tillage systems, such as conservation tillage with mulch or ridge till systems, no-till systems, or conventional tillage systems with or without moldboard plows. | 57% |
