First-Line Supervisors of Agricultural Crop and Horticultural Workers

• Assign duties, such as cultivation, irrigation, or harvesting of crops or plants, product packaging or grading, or equipment maintenance.
• Train workers in techniques such as planting, harvesting, weeding, or insect identification and in the use of safety measures.
• Inspect crops, fields, or plant stock to determine conditions and need for cultivating, spraying, weeding, or harvesting.
• 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.
• Observe workers to detect inefficient or unsafe work procedures or to identify problems, initiating corrective action as necessary.
• Review employees' work to evaluate quality and quantity.
• Drive or operate farm machinery, such as trucks, tractors, or self-propelled harvesters, to transport workers or supplies or to cultivate or harvest fields.
• Estimate labor requirements for jobs and plan work schedules accordingly.
• Plan or supervise infrastructure or collection maintenance functions, such as planting, fertilizing, pest or weed control, or landscaping.
• Direct or assist with the adjustment or repair of farm equipment or machinery.
• Read inventory records, customer orders, or shipping schedules to determine required activities.
• Inspect facilities to determine maintenance needs.
• 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.
• Investigate grievances and settle disputes to maintain harmony among workers.
• Monitor or oversee construction projects, such as horticultural buildings or irrigation systems.
• Recruit, hire, or discharge workers.
• 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.
• Perform hardscape activities, including installation or repair of irrigation systems, resurfacing or grading of paths, rockwork, or erosion control.
• Perform the same horticultural or agricultural duties as subordinates.
• Prepare reports regarding farm conditions, crop yields, machinery breakdowns, or labor problems.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for First-Line Supervisors of Agricultural Crop and Horticultural Workers.

• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• 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.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for First-Line Supervisors of Agricultural Crop and Horticultural Workers.