Precision Agriculture Technicians Go Back to List Apply geospatial technologies, including geographic information systems (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS), to agricultural production or management activities, such as pest scouting, site-specific pesticide application, yield mapping, or variable-rate irrigation. May use computers to develop or analyze maps or remote sensing images to compare physical topography with data on soils, fertilizer, pests, or weather.

Tasks
	Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.
	Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.
	Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.
	Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).
	Identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.
	Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.
	Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.
	Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.
	Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.
	Contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed.

Skills
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
	Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
	Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
	Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Knowledge
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
	Food Production - Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
	Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.   Related Experience:   A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $62,732.00 $30.16  $19.51  $21.89 - $40.25  Danbury $49,637.00 $23.86  $16.56  $18.60 - $31.14  Hartford $77,665.00 $37.34  $28.47  $31.74 - $40.25  New Haven $52,109.00 $25.06  $18.56  $18.79 - $32.81  New London/Norwich $55,016.00 $26.45  $19.07  $21.89 - $30.03

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   57   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as average, but the number of annual openings will offer somewhat limited job opportunities.

Related Occupations
	Geodetic Surveyors
	Environmental Engineering Technicians
	Surveying Technicians
	Soil and Water Conservationists
	Agricultural Technicians
	Geological Sample Test Technicians
	Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
	Forest and Conservation Technicians
	Forest and Conservation Workers
	Agricultural Inspectors

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.