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Agricultural Engineers

17-2021.00·Architecture and Engineering·Job Zone 4

Apply knowledge of engineering technology and biological science to agricultural problems concerned with power and machinery, electrification, structures, soil and water conservation, and processing of agricultural products.

14Tasks
24Tech Skills
16Technical Tools
2Related STIGs

Related STIGs

2 STIGs matched via technical tools used by this role

Technology Skills

24 technologies · 16 technical tools

Technical Tools

Adobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopAutodesk AutoCADDassault Systemes SolidWorksMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePointMicrosoft WordOracle DatabaseOracle JavaSAP softwareSAS

Other Technologies

Eagle Point LANDCADDEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareESRI ArcViewPTC Creo ParametricPTC Pro/PipeSupervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareWeb browser softwareWord processing software

Task Statements

12 core · 2 supplemental

Core Tasks

  • Prepare reports, sketches, working drawings, specifications, proposals, and budgets for proposed sites or systems.
  • Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
  • Meet with clients, such as district or regional councils, farmers, and developers, to discuss their needs.
  • Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
  • Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
  • Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.
  • Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
  • Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
  • Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
  • Design sensing, measuring, and recording devices, and other instrumentation used to study plant or animal life.
  • Design agricultural machinery components and equipment, using computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
  • Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.

Supplemental Tasks

  • Design food processing plants and related mechanical systems.
  • Supervise food processing or manufacturing plant operations.

Top Skills

Ranked by importance score

Engineering and Technology
4.8
Computers and Electronics
4.5
Design
4.3
Physics
4.3
Mathematics
4.3
Biology
4.1
Writing
4.0
Active Listening
4.0
Reading Comprehension
4.0
Speaking
4.0
Mechanical
3.9
Systems Evaluation
3.9
Critical Thinking
3.9
Judgment and Decision Making
3.9
Complex Problem Solving
3.9
English Language
3.9
Mathematics
3.8
Systems Analysis
3.8
Food Production
3.6
Chemistry
3.6

Top Abilities

Ranked by importance score

Written Expression
4.0
Inductive Reasoning
4.0
Oral Expression
4.0
Written Comprehension
4.0
Deductive Reasoning
4.0
Oral Comprehension
4.0
Problem Sensitivity
3.9
Category Flexibility
3.8
Information Ordering
3.8
Near Vision
3.6
Speech Clarity
3.6
Visualization
3.6
Fluency of Ideas
3.5
Speech Recognition
3.5
Originality
3.4
Mathematical Reasoning
3.4
Number Facility
3.3
Selective Attention
3.0
Flexibility of Closure
3.0
Far Vision
3.0

Work Activities

Ranked by importance score

Working with Computers
4.7
Analyzing Data or Information
4.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
4.5
Getting Information
4.5
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
4.5
Processing Information
4.3
Documenting/Recording Information
4.3
Thinking Creatively
4.3
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
4.3
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
4.2
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
4.2
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
4.1
Scheduling Work and Activities
4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
4.0
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information
4.0
Developing Objectives and Strategies
4.0
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
4.0
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
3.9
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
3.9
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
3.8

Education, Training & Experience

Percentage of respondents reporting each level

Required Level of Education

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5%
Bachelor's Degree
75%
Master's Degree
10%
Doctoral Degree
10%

Related Work Experience

None
25%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
5%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
5%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
30%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
10%
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
15%
Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
5%
Over 10 years
5%

On-Site or In-Plant Training

None
15%
Up to and including 1 month
15%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
10%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
5%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
10%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
30%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
5%
Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years
5%
Over 10 years
5%

On-the-Job Training

Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
5%
Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
5%
Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
10%
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
15%
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
35%
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
20%
Over 4 years, up to and including 10 years
5%
Over 10 years
5%