Career summary

Details for First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers


Description

Directly supervise and coordinate the activities of agricultural, forestry, aquacultural, and related workers.

Tasks

  • Assign tasks such as feeding and treatment of animals, and cleaning and maintenance of animal quarters.
  • Record the numbers and types of fish or shellfish reared, harvested, released, sold, and shipped.
  • Monitor workers to ensure that safety regulations are followed, warning or disciplining those who violate safety regulations.
  • Observe animals for signs of illness, injury, or unusual behavior, notifying veterinarians or managers as warranted.
  • Observe fish and beds or ponds to detect diseases, monitor fish growth, determine quality of fish, or determine completeness of harvesting.
  • Train workers in tree felling or bucking, operation of tractors or loading machines, yarding or loading techniques, or safety regulations.
  • Treat animal illnesses or injuries, following experience or instructions of veterinarians.
  • Train workers in spawning, rearing, cultivating, and harvesting methods, and in the use of equipment.
  • Train workers in techniques such as planting, harvesting, weeding, or insect identification and in the use of safety measures.
  • Confer with managers to evaluate weather or soil conditions, to develop plans or procedures, or to discuss issues such as changes in fertilizers, herbicides, or cultivating techniques.
  • Communicate with forestry personnel regarding forest harvesting or forest management plans, procedures, or schedules.
  • Inspect crops, fields, or plant stock to determine conditions and need for cultivating, spraying, weeding, or harvesting.
  • Coordinate dismantling, moving, and setting up equipment at new work sites.
  • Coordinate the selection and movement of logs from storage areas, according to transportation schedules or production requirements.
  • Schedule work crews, equipment, or transportation for several different work locations.
  • Drive or operate farm machinery, such as trucks, tractors, or self-propelled harvesters, to transport workers or supplies or to cultivate or harvest fields.
  • Perform both supervisory and management functions, such as accounting, marketing, and personnel work.
  • Transport or arrange for transport of animals, equipment, food, animal feed, and other supplies to and from work sites.
  • Inspect buildings, fences, fields or ranges, supplies, and equipment to determine work to be performed.
  • Read inventory records, customer orders, or shipping schedules to determine required activities.
  • Inspect facilities to determine maintenance needs.
  • Confer with managers to determine production requirements, conditions of equipment and supplies, and work schedules.
  • Prepare and maintain time or payroll reports, as well as details of personnel actions, such as performance evaluations, hires, promotions, or disciplinary actions.
  • Requisition or purchase supplies, such as insecticides, machine parts or lubricants, or tools.
  • Monitor or oversee construction projects, such as horticultural buildings or irrigation systems.
  • Issue equipment, such as farm implements, machinery, ladders, or containers to workers, and collect equipment when work is complete.
  • Calculate or monitor budgets for maintenance or development of collections, grounds, or infrastructure.
  • Direct or assist with the adjustment or repair of equipment or machinery.
  • Monitor operations to identify and solve problems, improve work methods, and ensure compliance with safety, company, and government regulations.
  • Plan work schedules according to personnel and equipment availability.

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.
  • 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.
  • Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Education, training, experience

  • Education - Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
  • Training - Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
  • Experience - Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

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.
  • Biology -Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • Public Safety and Security -Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Production and Processing -Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • Mechanical -Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • 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.

Skills

None found.

Related careers

None found.