Precision Agriculture Technicians

Career summary

Precision agriculture technicians make farming more efficient. They use data from technology such as GPS and GIS to advise farmers on how to manage crops. They make recommendations to farmers and agricultural engineers about watering, planting, and pesticide application.

Technicians rely on data and mapping from GPS and GIS systems. These kinds of maps give information. Examples include where pests are or what areas need water. They can also give information about soil type, the best kinds of fertilizers to use, the types of weeds in fields, and what kinds of crops to plant.

Technicians advise farmers on crop selection. For example, they tell farmers if planting corn would be better for the soil than growing cotton. Their data can help farmers reduce the amount of chemicals they use. Using fewer chemicals helps farmers save money. Technicians also improve weed identification and automatic spraying systems. Combined with these and other green farming practices, precision agriculture lowers the impact on the land.

Precision agriculture technicians must know about agriculture and GIS and GPS systems. They also need to know soil and crop science. To find and test data, they use sophisticated computer software. Technicians must also be knowledgeable about changes in farming laws and how they impact the environment.

Related careers

This career is part of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Conservation Scientists
• Engineering Technicians
• Geographic Information Systems Specialists
• Geospatial Information Scientists and Technologists
• Science Technicians
• Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to precision agriculture technicians.

• Collect data on soil and fields, crop yields, or field boundaries. Use field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
• Create and read maps showing agricultural data such as crop yields, soil type, terrain, drainage patterns, and field management history.
• Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.
• Find and test data to check soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, and weather. Use data to reduce overuse of chemicals.
• Divide agricultural fields into zones based on soil and crop growth potential.
• Use geospatial technology (GIS) to find soil sampling sites. Use these to test soils for the levels of the different nutrients that crops need to grow.
• Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil tests, chemical use, or other data to create crop management plans.
• Use knowledge of the law and environmental impacts when giving advice to farmers.
• Draw and read maps that show soil types, terrain, and property lines.
• Analyze data to give farmers advice on the best crop varieties for specific areas. Advise farmers on the best ways to use GIS and other precision farming technology.

Common work activities

Precision agriculture technicians perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Use computers
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Analyze data or information
• Document and record information
• Process information
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Provide advice and consultation to others
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Schedule work and activities
• Think creatively
• Teach others
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Convince others to buy goods or change their minds or actions
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, precision agriculture technicians:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a medium level of social interaction.
• Usually talk to others by e-mail, phone, or in person. They sometimes write letters and memos.
• Sometimes work as part of a team.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by others.
• Have limited responsibility for the health and safety of others.

Physical work conditions

• Usually work outdoors.
• Sometimes work indoors, usually when analyzing data. These locations may not be temperature-controlled.
• Are sometimes exposed to hot or cold temperatures, depending on the weather.
• Often travel around work sites in a truck, tractor, or other farm vehicle.
• May share office space with other technicians.
• Sometimes work where it might be noisy and distracting.

Work performance

• Must be very exact and accurate when analyzing data and making decisions.
• Usually do not consult a supervisor before making a decision or setting tasks and goals.
• Meet strict weekly deadlines. This makes the work atmosphere somewhat competitive.
• Weekly make decisions that strongly impact coworkers and their company.
• Repeat the same mental and physical tasks.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a standard work week, but their schedule may vary due to weather or to harvest, planting, and related schedules.

Physical demands

Precision agriculture technicians frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Sit for long periods of time.

It is important for precision agriculture technicians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for precision agriculture technicians to be able to:

• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.

Skills and abilities

Precision agriculture technicians need to:

Communicate

• Understand written information.
• Understand spoken information.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.

Reason and problem solve

• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Recognize when important changes happen or are likely to happen in a system.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Make sense of information that seems without meaning or organization.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Identify what must be changed to reach goals.

Use math and science

• Use math skills to solve problems.
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and correctly.
• Choose a mathematical method or formula to solve problems.
• Use scientific methods to solve problems.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Manage the time of self and others.

Work with people

• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Agriculture, General
• Surveying Technology

Other programs of study to consider

• Agricultural Technologies
• Agronomy and Crop Science
• Cartography
• Chemical Technology
• Engineering Technology, General
• Geography

Training

To work as a precision agriculture technician, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• complete a certificate or an associate degree.

Education after high school

Most people prepare for this occupation by getting a certificate or associate degree in this field. Certificates typically take one year to complete while associate degrees usually take two. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer one-year programs in this field.

Because this degree combines two distinct fields, it is becoming more common for schools to offer bachelor's degrees in precision agriculture.

Work experience

Working in jobs that give you practical experience in the areas you wish to work is good background for this occupation. The fields of civil engineering and geography are very helpful as they focus on use of the Geographic Information Software (GIS). Work on a farm or ranch setting is helpful, too.

On-the-job training

As a new technician, you perform routine tasks while closely supervised by an experienced technician or agricultural engineer. As you gain experience, you work on tasks that are more difficult.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Agronomy
• Algebra
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Computer Science
• Geography
• Plant and Soil Science

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for precision agriculture technicians who have at least a one-year degree in this field. Employers also look for applicants with strong technical, computing, and mechanical skills. Good communication skills are very important because technicians work with engineers and other team members. An interest in math, science, and farming is also important.

Costs to workers

Some workers may wish to join a professional association, which may have annual dues.

#new occ 12/2010

Wages

Currently, there is no specific statewide wage information available for precision agriculture technicians. However, this occupation is part of the larger group called "all other life, physical, and social science technicians."

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The individual's specialty and level of experience and responsibility also affect wages. Those who have supervisory duties usually earn higher wages.

Precision agriculture technicians who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance. Some employers also provide a retirement plan.

National wage information is not available specifically for precision agriculture technicians. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other life, physical, and social science technicians."

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

#Currently, there is no specific statewide outlook information available for precision agriculture technicians. However, this occupation is part of the larger group called "all other life, physical, and social science technicians."

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Consulting firms
• Federal, state, and local government agencies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation is strong. The growing number of people in the world will increase demands for food and energy. Precision agriculture technicians will be needed to find better ways to produce food. Advanced technologies, such as GPS and GIS, will continue to increase both the accuracy and productivity of these workers. This will limit job growth to some extent.

Job prospects will be best for technicians with strong technical, computing, and communication skills. Job openings will continue to arise from the need to replace workers who leave this occupation.

Employment and outlook information is not available specifically for precision agriculture technicians. However, they are part of the larger group of "all other life, physical, and social science technicians."

Other resources

AgCareers.com 
Western USA Office
866.519.7445

Council for Agricultural Science and Technology 
4420 West Lincoln Way
Ames, IA 50014
515.292.2125

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering 

National Alliance of Independent Crop Consultants 
100 Pineberry Drive
Vonore, TN 37885
901.861.0511

National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service 
P.O. Box 3838
Butte, MT 59702

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

References

Career cluster

• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Precision Agriculture Technicians (19-4099.02) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

Holland occupational cluster

• Realistic/Investigative/Conventional