Occupations - Agricultural Construction Engineer

The following material is quoted from the occupational guide for Agricultural Construction Engineer on the FFA Career Explorer site

General Information

Designs and contracts agricultural structures such as mills, fertilizer plants, barns, etc.

Career Information:

Agricultural Construction Engineers design and oversee the construction of agricultural structures such as mills, fertilizer plants, barns, livestock buildings, water supply and sewage systems and other structures. Agricultural Construction Engineers first survey and map the site of the proposed work. They do soil tests to learn whether the site will support the foundations for the project. Agricultural Construction Engineers must also think about power sources and road access. They consider a project from an economic and practical outlook, and advise on the value of the project. Agricultural construction engineers make detailed project plans and obtain data to determine whether the design is workable. They list the work to do, methods to use, materials to buy, suppliers of materials and safety measures to take. Agricultural Construction Engineers do both fieldwork and office work. They may hire workers and order the supplies and equipment for the project. Computers, surveying and drafting tools, calculators and special testing methods and equipment are tools that they utilize. Agricultural Construction Engineers may work with architects to produce a structure according to the design requirements. To do this, they must understand the properties of construction materials such as steel beams and girders, and their safe and economical use. These engineers also transform blueprints and computer-aided designs into concrete and steel structures. One of their jobs is to schedule and plan the work so workers and materials arrive at the site in the correct order for the work to proceed smoothly, quickly and within budget.

Educational Requirements:

Masters degree

Suggested High School/Collegiate Courses:

Math, physics, engineering, agriculture, science, drafting and computers

Skills Necessary:

Mathematical, Analytical, Oral Communications, Organizational, Mechanical, Manual Dexterity, Work independently, Decision Making, Computer Skills, Written Communications, Management, Physically Fit, Detail Oriented, Technical, Logical, Orderly Minded, Good Judgement, Confidence, Outgoing Personality, Motivational

Job Availability

Steady Growth

Location of jobs:

Rural

Working Conditions:

Mostly outdoors overseeing building planning and procedures