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Crop technician - Soil Based Systems Crop Technician

Crop technician - Soil Based Systems Crop Technician

Agriculture, environmental and animal care

Level 3 - Technical Occupation

Optimising crop/plant yields whilst maintaining and improving the surrounding environment.

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Reference: OCC0018B

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Average (median) salary: £24,037 per year

SOC 2020 code: 5112 Horticultural trades

SOC 2020 sub unit groups:

  • 5112/00 Horticultural trades
  • 5111/01 Agricultural contractors

Technical Education Products

ST0018:

Crop technician - Soil Based Systems Crop Technician

(Level 3)

Approved for delivery

TL0018a:

Agriculture, Land Management and Production - Crop and Plant production

(Level 3)

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Allensmore Nurseries, Brimstone farm, LKL Farming, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, Walberton Nursery Limited. Other involved stakeholders: Hartpury University, Lantra, NFU, Pershore College of Horticulture, Plumpton College, The Chartered Institute of Horticulture, The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture

Summary

This occupation is found in a diverse range of businesses, spanning from small enterprises to international organisations. 

Crop* Technicians in the agriculture and horticulture industries serve as the foundation for both food production, viticulture and landscaping.  

Their work encompasses various environments, including soil-based systems and container-based systems. 

In soil-based systems, crop technicians are likely to operate large, technically advanced machinery in open fields.  

Crop technicians working in container-based systems may spend some time outside, but the majority of their work occurs in controlled environments. These environments require constant monitoring and adaptation to suit the growth stage and species being cultivated. 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to optimise crop and plant yields through establishment, management, harvest, and post-harvest operations while maintaining and improving the surrounding environment.  

They stay up to date with technological advances and may specialise in either soil-based or container-based systems. Soil-based systems involve growing crops in fields, adapting to weather conditions, while container-based systems are managed environments used for horticulture and tree growth. 

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with the crops they manage. They monitor growth stages, assess health, and address any issues, such as pests or diseases. 

They will work with colleagues and supervisors to coordinate tasks, share insights, and work together to achieve optimal crop yields. 

An employee in this occupation will be responsible for ensuring high-quality sustainable crop production. 

Crop technicians will work independently and as part of a team. They need to be self-motivated to complete tasks. 

Some routine tasks are automated, requiring technical skills to operate machinery. 

They are typically responsible for the efficient use of  natural resources such as soil and water. They will also manage plant nutrients and adapt their approach to changing weather conditions and environments.  

Crop technicians adopt sustainable practices to minimise environmental impact and adhere to safety protocols when operating machinery or handling chemicals. 

*Crop is used as a generic term for what is being grown. For the purpose of this standard, crop could be arable, vegetable, fruit, ornamental or landscape plants, vines and grapes. 

Employers involved in creating the standard:

Allensmore Nurseries, Brimstone farm, LKL Farming, The Bransford Webbs Plant Company, Walberton Nursery Limited. Other involved stakeholders: Hartpury University, Lantra, NFU, Pershore College of Horticulture, Plumpton College, The Chartered Institute of Horticulture, The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture

spa

Dark Green occupation

Typical job titles include:

Arable technicianeco
Horticulture operativeeco
Viticulture operativeeco

Keywords:

Crop
Crop Technician
Environmental
Forestry
Horticulture
Land

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: Health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
K2: Risk identification and mitigation techniques for risk assessments relevant to own organisational policies and procedures. (Core)
K3: Workplace specific health and safety processes and procedures to ensure everyone is safe in the workplace. (Core)
K4: Environmental issues, legislation, codes of practice and company policies. (Core)
K5: Methods to maintain paper or electronic records in accordance with legislation. (Core)
K6: Policies, procedures, guidance and legislation related to the safe setup, operation, maintenance and storage of machinery, equipment, tools. (Core)
K7: Preparation methods, timing of activities, aftercare and monitoring requirements for the crops grown on-site. (Core)
K8: Crop identification and establishment process including principles and methods. (Core)
K9: Principles of plant growth, development and plant health. (Core)
K10: Input costs, cost of production, margins and impact on financial resilience and sustainability. (Core)
K11: Principles for developing and implementing an integrated pest management plan. (Core)
K12: The relationship between soil types, environmental conditions, plant protection methods and crop growth. (Core)
K13: The importance of biosecurity and how risks can be managed through disinfecting, cleaning and correct disposal of waste in line with company procedures, national regulations and legislation such as COSHH. (Core)
K14: Quality standards and specifications relevant to their business and their importance. (Core)
K15: Principles of environmental sustainability. (Core)
K16: Emergency response and first aid protocols and procedures. (Core)
K17: The impact of machinery on soil structure and potential damage it can cause and the associated legislation to consider. (Soil based)
K19: Methods to identify and undertake learning and continuing professional development opportunities. (Core)

S1: Identify and mitigate risks to promote and maintain health, safety and security. (Core)
S2: Manage accurate paper or digital records within the workplace. (Core)
S3: Maintain and operate machinery and equipment in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
S4: Maximise economic sustainability by optimising plant growth when carrying out operations. (Core)
S5: Establish crops to ensure efficient and sustainable growth. (Core)
S6: Operate vehicles in accordance with manufacturer operating instructions. (Core)
S7: Control pests, weeds and diseases using integrated pest management. (Core)
S8: Apply and store pest management treatments in accordance with standard operating procedures, legislation and regulations. (Core)
S9: Carry out plant nutrient application or irrigation tasks required by the crop. (Core)
S10: Carry out harvesting and dispatch operations. (Core)
S11: Assess and monitor crops for quality, performance and specification requirements. (Core)
S12: Select harvesting techniques taking account of crop condition and quality requirements. (Core)
S13: Maintain biosecurity and hygiene practices in line with legislation, regulations and organisational requirements. (Core)
S14: Keep harvested crops in suitable conditions to maintain quality. (Core)
S15: Maintain soils or substrates to ensure sustainable, efficient and healthy growth. (Core)
S16: Sample and evaluate soil or substrate health to determine nutrition requirements. (Core)
S17: Set and monitor machinery performance to ensure good seed or plant establishment and crop growth. (Soil based)
S18: Set machinery and equipment taking into account the crop, environment, soil condition and specification requirements. (Soil based)
S19: Maintain non-productive areas. (Soil based)
S20: Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure and identify potential damage in accordance with legislation. (Soil based)
S25: Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, guidelines and procedures relevant to own role. (Core)
S26: Participate in learning and CPD activities. (Core)
S27: Manage own time to achieve tasks to schedule. (Core)
S28: Consider different approaches to current working practices, identifying improvements, developments and innovative ideas. (Core)

B1: Promote and adopt a safety culture and apply proactively for self, colleagues and visitors.
B2: Act in a professional and ethical manner, with a flexible, positive attitude to work.
B3: Demonstrates a strong work ethic, takes pride in own work, pays attention to detail, and acts with integrity.
B4: Ability to use own initiative and is aware of limits of responsibility.
B5: A willingness to learn and contribute to their own continuing professional development.
B6: Act in a way that builds and maintains positive relationships with colleagues, customers and suppliers.
B7: Team focused and works effectively with colleagues and others.
B8: Committed to keeping up with technological advancements, industry developments and best practice.

Duties

Duty D1

Promote and maintain health, safety, hygiene and site security across productive and non-productive areas of the site.

Duty D2

Manage digital or paper-based record keeping including crop quality related data, chemical, productivity and legislated financial records.

Duty D3

Manage the end-to-end crop production process to ensure compliance with current environmental legislation and ensure economic sustainability.

Duty D4

Operate and carry out maintenance on machinery, equipment or technology.

Duty D5

Operate and maintain vehicles appropriate to the organisation in line with certified requirements where applicable. For example, telehandler, electric vehicle, all terrain vehicle or forklift.

Duty D6

Plan and carry out the end-to-end crop development cycle from receipt, establishment and growth through to harvest and dispatch in accordance with the customer specification and the environment

Duty D7

Identify the likely pests, weeds and diseases and create an integrated pest management plan for treatment and storage of relevant materials, chemicals and biological agents.

Duty D8

Apply nutrients and irrigation as required by the crop taking in account plant requirements and changes in conditions.

Duty D9

Plan and carry out the harvesting/dispatch operation using appropriate techniques to match crops requirements for condition and quality.

Duty D10

Plan storage and movement ensuring that crop quality is maintained

Duty D11

Carry out maintenance of non-productive areas

Duty D12

Set and monitor machine performance to ensure good seed establishment, planting and plant growth

Duty D13

Set machinery to match crop and soil condition and quality requirements during harvest

Duty D14

Assess the impact of machinery on soil structure in accordance with current legislation