17-2021.00 - Agricultural Engineers

Updated 2008

Summary Report for:
17-2021.00 - Agricultural Engineers

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.

Sample of reported job titles: Agricultural Engineer, Agricultural Safety and Health Program Director, Research Agricultural Engineer, Research Leader, Agricultural Systems Specialist, Conservation Engineer, Plan Service Engineer, Product Technology Scientist, Project Engineer

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Visit sites to observe environmental problems, to consult with contractors, or to monitor construction activities.
Design agricultural machinery components and equipment using computer-aided design (CAD) technology.
Test agricultural machinery and equipment to ensure adequate performance.
Design structures for crop storage, animal shelter and loading, and animal and crop processing, and supervise their construction.
Provide advice on water quality and issues related to pollution management, river control, and ground and surface water resources.
Conduct educational programs that provide farmers or farm cooperative members with information that can help them improve agricultural productivity.
Discuss plans with clients, contractors, consultants, and other engineers so that they can be evaluated and necessary changes made.
Supervise food processing or manufacturing plant operations.
Design and supervise environmental and land reclamation projects in agriculture and related industries.
Plan and direct construction of rural electric-power distribution systems, and irrigation, drainage, and flood control systems for soil and water conservation.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Desktop computers

Notebook computers — Laptop computers

Personal computers

Personal digital assistant PDAs or organizers — Personal digital assistants PDA

Plotter printers — Plotting printers

Technology used in this occupation:

Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD software; Eagle Point LANDCADD; PTC Pro/Pipe; SolidWorks CAD software

Graphics or photo imaging software — Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop software

Presentation software — Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel

Word processing software — Microsoft Word

Knowledge

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.

Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Food Production — Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Biology — Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.

Science — Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Technology Design — Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Writing — Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Equipment Selection — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Operations Analysis — Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.

Abilities

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Far Vision — The ability to see details at a distance.

Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

Work Activities

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

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.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Work Context

Electronic Mail — How often do you use electronic mail in this job?

Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Duration of Typical Work Week — Number of hours typically worked in one week.

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Structured versus Unstructured Work — To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
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.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples	Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
SVP Range	(7.0 to < 8.0)

Interests

Interest code: IRE

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.

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.

Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Styles

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Innovation — Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Adaptability/Flexibility — Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

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.

Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Work Values

Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

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.

Related Occupations

17-1012.00	Landscape Architects
17-2041.00	Chemical Engineers
17-2111.01	Industrial Safety and Health Engineers
17-2111.03	Product Safety Engineers
19-1031.01	Soil and Water Conservationists
19-1032.00	Foresters
19-2042.00	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages (2008)	$33.04 hourly, $68,730 annual
Employment (2006)	3,000 employees
Projected growth (2006-2016)	Average (7% to 13%)
Projected need (2006-2016)	1,000 additional employees

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data and 2006-2016 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.

Summary Report for: 17-2021.00 - Agricultural Engineers