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How a precision agriculture technician can use AI, task by task

O*NET 19-4012.01: Precision Agriculture TechniciansMedian pay $49,630/year (BLS, May 2025)22 tasksJob Zone 3: Medium preparation

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.

Type your own title and every prompt on this page updates to match. Also called: Agrintelligence Specialist (Agriculture Intelligence Specialist), Agronomist, Agronomy Consultant, Crop Consultant, Crop Specialist, Precision Agriculture Analyst (Precision Ag Analyst), Precision Agriculture Specialist (Precision Ag Specialist), Precision Agronomist, Precision Farming Coordinator, Precision Technology Agronomist (Precision Tech Agronomist).

Where AI fits in this job

AI-ready 11%AI-assist 75%Stays human 14%

Share of the job's tasks, weighted by how important and how frequent each task is (O*NET ratings). 2 AI-ready, 17 AI-assist and 3 human-led tasks out of 22. This measures where AI can help, not whether the job will disappear.

Information & paperwork
Thinking & planning
People & communication
Leading & teaching
Hands-on & physical

Shape of the job: importance of each kind of work activity (O*NET, 1 to 5).

🗓 Start here on Monday

The most frequent, most important tasks where AI can help right away.

  1. Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.Write it up · Daily
  2. Identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.Crunch the numbers · Weekly
  3. Create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.Create & design · Weekly

💪 Lean into these

Core tasks that stay human. These skills get more valuable as the routine work gets automated.

  1. Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).Hands-on work · Weekly
  2. Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.Hands-on work · Monthly
  3. Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.Hands-on work · Monthly

Skills to build & where you could move ↓

AI can draft these 2

AI produces a usable first pass. You review it, fix it and own it.

Document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.

Daily

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to document and maintain records of precision agriculture information.

Context: We use Microsoft Word.
Experiment: [describe]
Data: [paste]

Draft a structured record entry. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Lab or research record

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you document and maintain records of precision agriculture information (today).
Step 2Fill in [Experiment] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 4.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Record research or operational data..

Prepare reports in graphical or tabular form, summarizing field productivity or profitability.

Monthly

AI writes the first draft from your notes; you check every fact.

Show prompt & steps

Give AI your rough notes, numbers or last version and it will turn them into a clean, well-structured first draft. You check every fact and figure before it goes anywhere.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to prepare reports in graphical or tabular form, summarizing field productivity or profitability.

Context: We use Microsoft Word.
Operation: [production, claims, systems]
Data: [paste figures]

Draft a report with highlights, issues and actions. Show calculations. Use plain language and headings where they help, and mark anything you had to guess with [CHECK].

10-minute exercise: Operations report

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you prepare reports in graphical or tabular form.
Step 2Fill in [Operation] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every fact, name and number against your source before it goes anywhere.

AI will happily make up numbers, names and dates. Every fact in the draft needs checking against your source.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare operational reports..

AI can help you prep these 17

AI speeds up the prep, drafting or thinking. The core of the task is still yours.

Identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to identify spatial coordinates, using remote sensing and Global Positioning System (GPS) data.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Data: [paste meteorological, emissions, monitoring data]
Question: [what to predict or explain]

Analyze trends and give code or formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Environmental data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify spatial coordinates (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze environmental 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.

Weekly

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to create, layer, and analyze maps showing precision agricultural data, such as crop yields, soil characteristics, input applications, terrain, drainage patterns, or field management history.

Context: The work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Map: [geological, survey, mosaic]
Data: [sources]

Outline the workflow, layers and symbology. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Map preparation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you create layer, and analyze maps showing precision (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Map] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare maps..

Analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, or weather conditions.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors such as soil quality, terrain, field productivity, fertilizers, or weather conditions.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Data: [paste or describe]
Question: [what to determine]

Suggest analysis steps, methods and code. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Geoscience data interpretation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze geospatial data to determine agricultural implications of factors (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze geological or geographical data..

Divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to divide agricultural fields into georeferenced zones, based on soil characteristics and production potentials.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Task: [locate corners, zones]
Data: [GPS, survey records]

Walk through the calculation or method. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Coordinate determination

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you divide agricultural fields (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Task] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.1/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Determine geographic coordinates.. Also involves: Analyze geological or geographical data..

Use geospatial technology to develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites for testing characteristics such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium content, pH, or micronutrients.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to use geospatial technology to develop soil sampling grids or identify sampling sites for testing characteristics such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium content, pH, or micronutrients.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Data: [paste meteorological, emissions, monitoring data]
Question: [what to predict or explain]

Analyze trends and give code or formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Environmental data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you use geospatial technology.
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze environmental data..

Compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.

Weekly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to compare crop yield maps with maps of soil test data, chemical application patterns, or other information to develop site-specific crop management plans.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Question: [planting, spraying, soil, harvest]
Crop and conditions: [crop, region, soil]

Summarize best practices, a field trial design, measurements, and extension sources to check. Give sources I can check and say clearly when you're unsure.

10-minute exercise: Crop practice research

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you compare crop yield maps (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Question] and [Crop and conditions] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Compare with your local extension service guidance. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Research crop management methods..

Apply precision agriculture information to specifically reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming practices.

Weekly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to apply precision agriculture information to specifically reduce the negative environmental impacts of farming practices.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Problem: [pollution, soil, climate]
Knowledge area: [agronomy, meteorology, ecology]

Propose evidence-based solutions with references to verify. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Apply research to an environmental problem

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you apply precision agriculture information (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Problem] and [Knowledge area] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Cross out anything that won't work on the ground and ask AI to revise with your corrections.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.9/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Apply knowledge or research findings to address environmental problems..

Analyze data from harvester monitors to develop yield maps.

Monthly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to analyze data from harvester monitors to develop yield maps.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Data: [paste or describe]
Question: [what to determine]

Suggest analysis steps, methods and code. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Geoscience data interpretation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze data.
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze geological or geographical data..

Demonstrate the applications of geospatial technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), automatic tractor guidance systems, variable rate chemical input applicators, surveying equipment, or computer mapping software.

Weekly

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to demonstrate the applications of geospatial technology, such as Global Positioning System (GPS), geographic information systems (GIS), automatic tractor guidance systems, variable rate chemical input applicators, surveying equipment, or computer mapping software.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Data: [paste or describe]
Question: [what to determine]

Suggest analysis steps, methods and code. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Geoscience data interpretation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you demonstrate the applications of geospatial technology (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 3.8/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze geological or geographical data..

Draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps.

Monthly

AI generates options and references; taste and the final call are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to generate lots of options, references and rough mock-ups fast. The craft, the taste and the final call are what make it yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to draw or read maps, such as soil, contour, or plat maps.

Context: The work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Map: [geological, survey, mosaic]
Data: [sources]

Outline the workflow, layers and symbology. Give 10 quite different options from safe to bold, then develop the best 2.

10-minute exercise: Map preparation

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you draw or read maps.
Step 2Fill in [Map] and [Data] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Pick the idea that sparks something and develop it yourself for 5 minutes.

Check the usage rules for AI images and text in your field, and make sure the final work is original.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Prepare maps..

Provide advice on the development or application of better boom-spray technology to limit the overapplication of chemicals and to reduce the migration of chemicals beyond the fields being treated.

Monthly

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to provide advice on the development or application of better boom-spray technology to limit the overapplication of chemicals and to reduce the migration of chemicals beyond the fields being treated.

Context: We use Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced and SST Development Group SSToolbox; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Technology: [materials, sensing]
Use case: [describe]

Explain options and recommendations. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: New technology advice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you provide advice.
Step 2Fill in [Technology] and [Use case] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it. Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site procedure before you rely on it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Safety-critical: AI output is a starting point. Follow your site's procedures and the manufacturer's guidance.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise others on the development or use of new technologies..

Recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.

Monthly

AI builds you an answer bank; exceptions and the human touch are yours.

Show prompt & steps

Build a personal answer bank with AI for the questions you get every day. In the moment, the human touch and the judgment about exceptions are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates for specific field areas, based on analysis of geospatial data.

Context: We use Global positioning system GPS software; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Product or service: [describe]
Common questions: [list]

Write follow-up advice and tips. Keep answers to 2-3 sentences and flag any that depend on the situation.

10-minute exercise: Usage advice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you recommend best crop varieties or seeding rates.
Step 2Fill in [Product or service] and [Common questions] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Save the answers you'd actually use and tweak each one the first time you send it.

Don't paste customers' personal details into AI tools. Describe the situation instead.

Importance 3.7/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise customers on the use of products or services..

Advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology.

Monthly

AI helps you prepare clearer wording and likely questions.

Show prompt & steps

Use AI to prepare: simpler wording, analogies, likely questions and a one-page handout. The conversation itself is yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to advise farmers on upgrading Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment to take advantage of newly installed advanced satellite technology.

Context: We use Global positioning system GPS software and Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Technology: [materials, sensing]
Use case: [describe]

Explain options and recommendations. Use plain language, one everyday analogy, and the questions people are most likely to ask with short answers.

10-minute exercise: New technology advice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you advise farmers.
Step 2Fill in [Technology] and [Use case] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check every answer is right for your workplace before you share it.

Rules, prices and policies change. Make sure AI is working from your current official version.

Importance 3.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Advise others on the development or use of new technologies..

Analyze remote sensing imagery to identify relationships between soil quality, crop canopy densities, light reflectance, and weather history.

Monthly

AI gets you up to speed; confirm findings with records or people.

Show prompt & steps

AI can get you up to speed fast and suggest where to look, but you need to confirm findings against real sources, records or people.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to analyze remote sensing imagery to identify relationships between soil quality, crop canopy densities, light reflectance, and weather history.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Research question: [phenomenon or relationship]
Data and tools: [datasets, models, instruments]

Outline a study design: variables, data sources, methods, likely confounders and how to handle them. List key papers to read first.

10-minute exercise: Plan a climate study

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you analyze remote sensing imagery.
Step 2Fill in [Research question] and [Data and tools] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check the papers it lists exist and say what it claims.

AI can invent sources and citations. Open every link and confirm it says what the AI claims.

Importance 3.3/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Conduct climatological research..

Contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed.

Monthly

AI drafts clear messages and talking points.

Show prompt & steps

AI can draft updates, emails and talking points so your message is clear and complete. Relationships and real-time calls are yours.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to contact equipment manufacturers for technical assistance, as needed.

Topic: [security, system design]
Who: [IT, architects]

Draft talking points and questions. Keep it under 150 words with a clear ask, plus a 2-sentence version for chat.

10-minute exercise: Technical discussion prep

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you contact equipment manufacturers.
Step 2Fill in [Topic] and [Who] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Edit it until it sounds like you, then send it yourself.

Never let AI send messages for you. Read every word, because tone mistakes cost trust.

Importance 3.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Discuss design or technical features of products or services with technical personnel.. Also involves: Consult with others regarding safety or health equipment or facilities..

Participate in efforts to advance precision agriculture technology, such as developing advanced weed identification or automated spot spraying systems.

Monthly

AI lays out options and timelines to react to.

Show prompt & steps

AI can lay out options, timelines and checklists to react to. Fitting it to your people, budget and situation is your call.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to participate in efforts to advance precision agriculture technology, such as developing advanced weed identification or automated spot spraying systems.

Context: We use Microsoft Excel and Ag Leader Technology SMS Advanced; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Area: [feeding, housing, hatching, disease control]
Goals: [growth, health]

Plan practice changes and how to measure results. Lay it out as a table with steps, owner, timing and what could go wrong, then list the decisions I still need to make.

10-minute exercise: Improved farm practice

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you participate in efforts.
Step 2Fill in [Area] and [Goals] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Trial with one group before rolling out.

AI doesn't know your people, your site or your history. Treat its plan as a starting point to react to.

Importance 3.4/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Develop agricultural methods..

Identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.

A few times a year

AI does the arithmetic and suggests what to look at; the conclusions are yours.

Show prompt & steps

AI can do the arithmetic, build the spreadsheet formula and suggest what to look at. Deciding what the numbers mean for your situation is still you.

Ready-to-use prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to identify areas in need of pesticide treatment by analyzing geospatial data to determine insect movement and damage patterns.

Context: We use AGCO GTA Software Suite and Farm Works Site Pro; the work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Data: [paste meteorological, emissions, monitoring data]
Question: [what to predict or explain]

Analyze trends and give code or formulas. Show your working step by step and give spreadsheet formulas so I can reproduce the numbers.

10-minute exercise: Environmental data analysis

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you identify areas.
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Question] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Recompute the most important number yourself before you trust the rest.

AI makes arithmetic mistakes. Recompute anything that matters with a spreadsheet formula.

Importance 3.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Analyze environmental data..

These stay human 3

They need your hands, your presence or your accountable judgment. Lean into them: they get more valuable as routine work is automated.

📏 Measured in this job (O*NET work context): Face-to-face discussions: once a week or more but not every day · Contact with others: contact with others most of the time · Dealing with the public: very important · Frequency of decisions: once a week or more but not every day

Collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).

Weekly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data, or field boundaries, using field data recorders and basic geographic information systems (GIS).

Context: The work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Data: [geographic, geological]
Tools: [GPS, GIS, instruments]

Plan collection steps and data sheets. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Field data collection

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you collect information about soil or field attributes, yield data (this week).
Step 2Fill in [Data] and [Tools] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.2/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Collect geographical or geological field data..

Install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls, GPS-based vehicle guidance systems, or computer settings.

Context: The work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Instruments: [describe]
Tasks: [describe]

List maintenance and troubleshooting. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Lab equipment maintenance

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you install, calibrate, or maintain sensors, mechanical controls and GPS-based vehicle guidance systems.
Step 2Fill in [Instruments] and [Tasks] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Check it against the manufacturer's manual and your site rules, and add the steps only experience teaches.

Importance 4.0/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Maintain laboratory or technical equipment.. Also involves: Calibrate scientific or technical equipment..

Program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.

Monthly

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to program farm equipment, such as variable-rate planting equipment or pesticide sprayers, based on input from crop scouting and analysis of field condition variability.

Context: The work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Instrument: [surveying, lab, vehicle system]
Standard: [reference]

List calibration steps and records. Include the tools, materials and safety steps, the measurements or settings to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job. Flag anything to confirm in the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Calibration routine

Step 1Pick a real example: the next time you program farm equipment.
Step 2Fill in [Instrument] and [Standard] with the real details, then run the prompt.
Step 3Use a traceable standard and record results.

Importance 3.6/5 · core task · O*NET work activity: Calibrate scientific or technical equipment..

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Skills to build

From O*NET's ratings of how important each skill is in this job, matched to which part of the work it supports.

Stays human Deepen these

They power the human-led work, which is the part of the job AI can't take over.

  • Operations Monitoringimportance 2.9/5
    Used in: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
  • Troubleshootingimportance 2.6/5
    Used in: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
  • Quality Control Analysisimportance 2.6/5
    Used in: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
  • Equipment Maintenanceimportance 2.5/5
    Used in: Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment

With AI Use these to work with AI

When AI does the first draft, these are the skills you use to brief it and check what comes back.

  • Critical Thinkingimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Reading Comprehensionimportance 3.9/5
    Used in: Analyzing Data or Information
  • Writingimportance 3.5/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
  • Active Listeningimportance 3.8/5
    Used in: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Where you could move

Related jobs from O*NET with the closest skill profile, favouring ones where more of the work stays human. No step down in preparation.

New tasks appearing in this job

O*NET has started tracking 1 new or updated task here: 0 AI-ready, 0 AI-assist, 1 stays human. They have no worker ratings yet, so they aren't counted in the bar above.

Operate drone technology to capture aerial imagery and data for crop monitoring and analysis.

New in O*NET

Physical, in-person work. AI helps with checklists and write-ups.

Show prep prompt & steps

Where AI still helps: AI helps around the job: decoding manuals and instructions, pre-job checklists, calculations and writing up what you did afterward.

Prep prompt

I work as a precision agriculture technician. Part of my job is to operate drone technology to capture aerial imagery and data for crop monitoring and analysis.

Context: The work draws on food production, biology and geography.
Job details: [drone technology: materials, specs, model numbers, site conditions]

Make me a pre-job checklist to operate drone technology (tools, materials, safety steps), the key measurements or calculations to double-check, and a 3-line template for logging the job when I'm done. Flag anything to check against the manufacturer's manual.

10-minute exercise: Pre-job checklist: drone technology

Step 1Before you next operate drone technology, put the real materials, specs and site conditions in [Job details].
Step 2Walk through its pre-start, lockout and safety checks for the real machine or vehicle, and fix anything that doesn't match your operator's manual. Add the steps only experience teaches.
Step 3After the job, log it with the 3-line template and note one thing to do faster or safer next time.

New O*NET task (05/2025). O*NET hasn't linked it to work activities yet, so it was labelled by hand.

Getting into this job

Bachelor's degree is most common (35% of workers)

  • High school or less 9%
  • Certificate or some college 22%
  • Associate's 30%
  • Bachelor's 35%
  • Graduate degree 4%
  • On-the-job training: 6–12 months
  • Related experience: 1–2 years

What workers in this job report, from O*NET surveys (typical values).

Software in this job

In-demand tools from O*NET. Many now have AI built in, so check what yours can do before adding a new tool.

ESRI ArcGIS softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft Word

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