Soil and Plant Scientists

19-1013.00

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.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• Communicate research or project results to other professionals or the public or teach related courses, seminars, or workshops.
• Develop methods of conserving or managing soil that can be applied by farmers or forestry companies.
• 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.
• 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.
• Investigate soil problems or poor water quality to determine sources and effects.
• Investigate responses of soils to specific management practices to determine the use capabilities of soils and the effects of alternative practices on soil productivity.
• Conduct experiments to investigate the underlying mechanisms of plant growth and response to the environment.
• Identify degraded or contaminated soils and develop plans to improve their chemical, biological, or physical characteristics.
• Develop new or improved methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or insect pests.
• Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.
• Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
• Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
• Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.
• Develop environmentally safe methods or products for controlling or eliminating weeds, crop diseases, or pests.
• Study ways to improve agricultural sustainability, such as the use of new methods of composting.
• Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.
• Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.
• Develop ways of altering soils to suit different types of plants.
• Conduct experiments investigating how soil forms, changes, or interacts with land-based ecosystems or living organisms.
• Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.
• Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.
• Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces, such as green roof installations.
• Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.
• Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.
• Study insect distribution or habitat and recommend methods to prevent importation or spread of injurious species.
• Plan or supervise land conservation or reclamation programs for industrial development projects.
• Conduct research into the use of plant species as green fuels or in the production of green fuels.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - 3dMapper; Erosion Productivity Impact Calculator EPIC; European Soil Erosion Model EUROSEM; GEOEAS; GSLIB; Gstat; IBM SPSS Statistics 🔥; LandSerf; PC-Progress HYDRUS; SAS 🔥; SGeMS; SPAW; STATISTICA; UNSATFLOW; Variogram Estimation and Spatial Prediction plus Error Vesper; Water Erosion Prediction Project WEPP
• Categorization or classification software - GAEA Technologies WinSieve
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD 🔥
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access 🔥; National Resources Conservation Service NRCS PEDON Description Program PDP; National Resources Conservation Service NRCS Soils Explorer; National Soil Information System NASIS; PedonCE; Soil information databases; SoilVision Systems SVOFFICE
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcGIS software 🔥; Geographic information system GIS software; Geographic information system GIS systems
• Map creation software - Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
• Object or component oriented development software - R 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Web platform development software - Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥; Word processing software

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Prepare scientific or technical reports or presentations.
• Develop sustainable industrial or development methods.
• Advise others about land management or conservation.
• Research sustainable agricultural processes or practices.
• Research hydrologic features or processes.
• Research crop management methods.
• Conduct climatological research.
• Analyze environmental data.
• Plan natural resources conservation or restoration programs.
• Develop agricultural methods.
• Research geological features or processes.
• Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
• Analyze biological samples.
• Conduct research of processes in natural or industrial ecosystems.
• Survey land or properties.
• Develop environmental sustainability plans or projects.
• Direct natural resources management or conservation programs.
• Research impacts of environmental conservation initiatives.
• Research diseases or parasites.
• Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.
• Advise others about environmental management or conservation.