Soil Scientist

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A soil scientist could...

Overview Listen to this section

Not all dirt is created equal. In fact, different types of soil can make a big difference in some very important areas of our society. A building constructed on sandy soil might collapse during an earthquake, and crops planted in soil that doesn't drain properly might become waterlogged and rot after a rainstorm. It is the job of a soil scientist to evaluate soil conditions and help farmers, builders, and environmentalists decide how best to take advantage of local soils.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Soil Scientist?

1. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
2. Active Learning: ? Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
3. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
4. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
5. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

6. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
7. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
8. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
9. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
10. Systems Analysis: ? Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Soil Scientist might do:

• 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.
• Provide advice regarding the development of regulatory standards for land reclamation or soil conservation.
• Study soil characteristics to classify soils on the basis of factors such as geographic location, landscape position, or soil properties.
• Conduct research to determine best methods of planting, spraying, cultivating, harvesting, storing, processing, or transporting horticultural products.
• Develop improved measurement techniques, soil conservation methods, soil sampling devices, or related technology.
• 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.
• Consult with engineers or other technical personnel working on construction projects about the effects of soil problems and possible solutions to these problems.
• Perform chemical analyses of the microorganism content of soils to determine microbial reactions or chemical mineralogical relationships to plant growth.
• 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.