ISCO 08 Code 3142      Agricultural technicians

Lead Statement
Agricultural technicians perform tests and experiments, and provide technical and scientific support to agricultural scientists, farmers and farm managers

Task statement
Tasks include:

• preparing materials and equipment for experiments, tests and analyses;
• collecting and preparing specimens such as soils, plant or animal cells, tissues or parts or animal organs for experiments, tests and analyses;
• assisting with and performing experiments, tests and analyses applying methods and techniques such as microscopy, histochemistry, chromatography, electrophoresis and spectroscopy;
• identifying pathogenic micro-organisms and insects, parasites, fungi and weeds harmful to crops and livestock, and assisting in devising methods of control;
• analysing produce to set and maintain standards of quality;
• conducting or supervising operational programs such as fish hatchery, greenhouse and livestock production programs;
• analysing samples of seeds for quality, purity and germination rating;
• collecting data and estimating quantities and costs of materials and labour required for projects;
• organizing maintenance and repairs of research equipment.

Included occupations
Examples of the occupations classified here:

• Dairy Technician
• Field Crop Technical Officer
• Herd Tester
• Horticultural Technical Officer
• Poultry Technical Officer

Excluded occupations

• Artificial inseminator - 3240
• Veterinary technician -3240

Notes
(NCvB; April 2010)