Occupation Details
Soil and Plant Scientists
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$61,330.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$77,880.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$96,160.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
15,410
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
19,610
+420 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,767
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.3%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
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.
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.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Atomic absorption AA spectrometers
- Autosamplers
- Calibrated soil scoops
- Canopy analyzers
- Cell tissue culture incubators
- Circulating water baths
- Colorimeters
- Conductivity meters
- Dataloggers
- Desktop computers
- Digital cameras
- Digital pH meters
- Electron microscopes
- Epifluorescence microscopes
- Erlenmeyer flasks
- Flame photometers
- Fluorimeters
- Gamma ray spectrometers
- Gel documentation systems
- Gel dryers
- Gel electrophoresis systems
- Glass beakers
- Glass flasks
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Graduated glass cylinders
- Ground penetrating radar GPR
- Hand augers
- Heat flux plates
- High speed centrifuges
- Hot water shaking baths
Technology
- 3dMapper
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- European Soil Erosion Model EUROSEM
- GAEA Technologies WinSieve
- GSLIB
- Geographic information system GIS software
- LandSerf
- Leica Geosystems ERDAS IMAGINE
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- National Soil Information System NASIS
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- use biological testing instruments
- use microscope
- use laboratory equipment
- prepare biological specimens for examination
- artificially inseminate livestock
- breed animals to propagate stock or to develop new types
- prepare reports
- prepare technical reports or related documentation
- judge soil conditions
- direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
- direct implementation of new procedures, policies, or programs
- advise clients or customers
- recommend further study or action based on research data
- provide advice on rural or urban land use
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- adhere to safety procedures
- monitor climatic or soil conditions
- monitor soil responses to management practices
- write research or project grant proposals
- write business project or bid proposals
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- develop plans for programs or projects
- communicate technical information
- make presentations
- confer with scientists
- identify crop characteristics
- recognize plant diseases
- isolate and identify micro-organisms
- examine biological or other material specimens under microscope
- identify plant characteristics
- identify properties of soil or water samples
- identify insect characteristics
- plan scientific research or investigative studies
- develop new products based on scientific research results
- develop scientific or mathematical hypotheses, theories, or laws
- explain complex mathematical information
- interpret aerial photographs
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- confer with research personnel
- confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
- collect scientific or technical data
- collect statistical data
- read maps
- record test results, test procedures, or inspection data
- develop tables depicting data
- classify plants, animals, or other natural phenomena
- resolve agricultural production problems
- make decisions
- resolve engineering or science problems
- use chemical testing or analysis procedures
- use knowledge of relevant laws
- use plant disease control techniques
- use pollution control techniques
- use scientific research methodology
- follow microbiology procedures
- use biological research techniques
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
- use quantitative research methods
- use library or online Internet research techniques
- analyze biological research, test, or analysis data
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- analyze chemical experimental, test, or analysis data or findings
- conduct field research or investigative studies
- conduct laboratory research or experiments
- conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses
- conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses
- perform statistical analysis
- conduct analyses or tests of organic compounds
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- develop or maintain databases
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- 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.
- Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
- Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.
- 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.
- Survey undisturbed or disturbed lands for classification, inventory, mapping, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection planning, conservation planning, or reclamation planning.
- Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.
- Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.
- Plan or supervise waste management programs for composting or farming.
- 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.
- Research technical requirements or environmental impacts of urban green spaces, such as green roof installations.
- Identify or classify species of insects or allied forms, such as mites or spiders.
- Conduct experiments regarding causes of bee diseases or factors affecting yields of nectar or pollen.
- 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.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Agricultural and food scientists
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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Learn MoreCollege of SUNY Geneseo Young Scholars Adventures: Summer Academy for Jr. Scientists at St. John Fisher Campus
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Learn MoreColumbia Education Center's Science Mini-Lessons (Elementary)
Youth Net is a server on the Internet that sponsors this group of lesson plans that came from the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshops. They were done by a consortium of teachers from 14 states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States.
Learn MoreColumbia Education Center's Science Mini-Lessons (High School)
Youth Net is a server on the Internet that sponsors this group of lesson plans that came from the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshops. They were done by a consortium of teachers from 14 states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States.
Learn MoreColumbia Education Center's Science Mini-Lessons (Intermediate)
Youth Net is a server on the Internet that sponsors this group of lesson plans that came from the Columbia Education Center's Summer Workshops. They were done by a consortium of teachers from 14 states dedicated to improving the quality of education in the rural, western, United States.
Learn MoreCurriculum Development Workshop in Plant Sciences 2007
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Learn MoreGreat Plant Escape
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National Gardening Association is a leading national provider of K12, plant-based educational materials. The Kidsgardening programs, projects, thematic explorations and guides help children gain knowledge in science, literacy, social studies, nutrition, the environment, and personal skill areas such as leadership, problem-solving, and team building. Also, there are listings of grants for which teachers can write to support their gardening programs.
Learn MoreLiveScience
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Learn MorePLANTS Database
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Learn MorePeconic Dunes and Camp Sea Wolf
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