Abolished
June 2010
AGRICULTURAL TECHNICIAN
8343C3
Pay Grade: 17
DEFINITION OF WORK
Summary
This is technical work in an agricultural research program.
Work includes coordinating field operations and setting up
experiments in order to determine the effects of environmental conditions on growth
patterns, yield, insects, disease, and weed populations. Work also includes collecting and
analyzing data from experiments conducted on plants or animals. Incumbents in this class
may supervise technical and general labor employees.
Standard Classification Factors
Supervision Received - LEVEL C: "Under direction…"
Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and
are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of
established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred
to a superior for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to
established policies and requirements.
Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average… Where the employee is
confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in
turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration.
Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of
conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category.
Complexity - LEVEL C: Work is of a standardized nature that may
involve a variety of duties. Analytical thought becomes more important at this level due
to increased data and changing situations. Tasks usually have several steps, some of which
may not be directly related. Alternatives may exist for processes or methods to be used in
solving problems. Workers at this level exercise a moderate amount of independent
judgment. Work is controlled by routine review and reporting to or consultation with
supervisors. When guidelines exist at this level, they tend to be more complicated or
technical in nature requiring careful interpretation.
Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of
actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever
reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a
high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating
or both and costs due to errors are substantial.
Contacts - LEVEL B: The purpose of the contact is to plan,
coordinate and advise on work efforts, interpret guidelines or instructions, elicit
opinions or give guidance on the basis of facts to resolve common issues or problems when
the information is not sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are working toward
mutual goals and have basically cooperative attitudes. Well developed communication skills
are required.
Physical Demands - LEVEL D: The work requires considerable
physical exertion.
Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves
hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed
moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and
patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature,
ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific
safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible.
Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL B: Involves functional leadership
responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar
work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and
reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single
project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level
may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the
evaluation of work performance.
Distinguishing Features
Differs from the Laboratory Technician III class which does not
require a knowledge of horticultural, range, and greenhouse management practices.
Differs from the Grounds Maintenance Supervisor I class in which
the work is performed in a maintenance environment rather than in a research environment.
Differs from the Equipment Operator II class in which the
incumbents operate a variety of light to heavy automotive equipment used in maintenance
and construction and in the routine maintenance of that equipment.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
Prepares seeds and other crop materials for field placement while
maintaining genetic purity of seed stock; ensures proper handling and storing of these
materials.
Coordinates all field operations including plot measurement,
staking, layout, mapping, seedbed preparation, planting, plot care, pollination, and
harvesting and storage of crops; collects soil, plant and grain samples; and inspects
samples to eliminate impurities and to assess insect damage.
Estimates insect populations and collects insects using proper
trapping, sorting, counting, and identification techniques; rears insects and mites for
identification and isolation of specific biotypes.
Feeds and cares for animals used in feed analysis; weighs,
measures, moves, and analyzes progress of animals used in an experimental environment.
Coordinates the collection of original data from field and
laboratory experiments; prepares field notebooks and oversees the labeling and marking
processes; gathers, maintains, and analyzes statistical data using a computer or other
record maintenance process; and documents results so that research data is thorough and
accurate.
Evaluates ecological status and productivity of range plant
communities and analyzes livestock production responses to range management practices.
Purchases and maintains inventory of seed, feed, chemicals, and
supplies ensuring availability of items for research experiments; prepares media,
solutions, and samples to be used for laboratory testing; and conducts nutrient analyses.
Schedules and oversees the maintenance of the research farm
including planting, mowing, fertilizing, spraying, irrigating, pruning, cultivating and
mulching grass, trees, shrubs, and wildlife habitats; schedules and oversees the
maintenance of the research farm buildings and fences; and clean pens, waterers and
facilities used for animals.
Designs, builds, fabricates, modifies, maintains and troubleshoots
various research equipment.
Operates scientific equipment, field tillage equipment and farming
equipment including moisture meters, weight meters, separators, counters, pollen
collectors, soil sterilizers, microscopes, weather instruments, temperature gauges, growth
chambers, incubators, pH meters, insect collectors and dispensers, drying ovens, neutron
probes, trucks, tractors, combines, chemical applicators, mowers, threshers, grain augers,
and cultivators. Installs, maintains, and troubleshoots electronic equipment used for the
research project.
Directs the maintenance and operation of and operates greenhouses
for propagating, controlling experimental results, testing for insect, disease, and weed
control, temperature and moisture parameters, and breeding purposes to identify cross
specific parents. Anticipates needs, purchases supplies, cares for plants, and transplants
to field plots. Maintains accurate records of the plants, conditions, dates and techniques
used.
May supervise, train and evaluate other employees.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
Knowledge
Knowledge of procedures and techniques required to analyze
laboratory results.
*Knowledge of horticultural, range and/or greenhouse management
practices.
*Knowledge of safety requirements for working with or around
machinery, chemicals, and/or large and small animals.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of supervision.
*Knowledge of a greenhouse operation including the propagation of
plants.
Abilities
Ability to operate a computer for entry and retrieval of
scientific data.
*Ability to perform acceptable farming procedures and practices
and to perform field associated land preparation.
*Ability to operate and maintain field, research, and chemical
application equipment.
*Ability to handle all sizes of animals including feeding, health
care, and measuring responses to treatment.
*Ability to do hard physical labor for several hours at a time in
all weather conditions.
*Ability to operate manual or automatic transmission vehicles and
equipment.
*Ability to complete accurate records and prepare clear, concise
reports on research operations.
*Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
*Ability to develop laboratory techniques and conduct laboratory
analysis and calculations.
Ability to conduct tours and explain objectives and procedures
used to the general public.
Ability to supervise, train, assign, and direct the work of
others.
*Necessary at Entry
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
High
school diploma or equivalent and one year of experience in agriculture or animal
science. Education in agricultural
sciences may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.
NC: 06/93
REV: 12/95
REV: 11/96
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 08/05
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