ASPB staff were recently approached by a contractor for the O*NET Data Collection Program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Billed as the nation’s most comprehensive source of occupational data, O*NET is a free resource and provides instant access to detailed descriptions on more than 900 occupations that drive the U.S. economy. O*NET’s visitors include career counselors, human resource professionals, researchers, developers, and students, among many others. Please visit O*NET OnLine to learn more.
We were approached by O*Net because they are in the process of reviewing the description of the occupation entitled Soil and Plant Scientists. Their process involves surveying experts in the field, which is why we are turning to you and other US-based members of ASPB’s community. On behalf of O*NET, we are asking that you volunteer to participate in this review. By doing so, you can help ensure that O*NET’s description of our profession is up to date, which is important given the users O*Net reports for the database and which dovetails with our commitment to accurately portray the plant science profession to the public.
You are considered an Occupation Expert if you meet all the following criteria:
- Have at least one year of professional experience working in the occupation.
- Have a minimum of 5 years combined in one or more of the following: practicing, training, teaching, and/or supervising others who perform the occupation.
- Are currently actively involved in the field and based in the U.S.
O*NET’s current summary description for Soil and Plant Scientists reads as follows: Conduct research in breeding, physiology, production, yield, and management of crops and agricultural plants or trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, their growth in soils, and control of pests; or study the chemical, physical, biological, and mineralogical composition of soils as they relate to plant or crop growth. May classify and map soils and investigate effects of alternative practices on soil and crop productivity.
How to Participate
If you meet the criteria listed above and are interested in participating, please contact Holman Orange at RTI International, the O*NET data collection contractor, at horange@onet.rti.org or 877-233-7348, ext. 197. Please respond by December 16, 2024, and please let Holman know that you are responding to a request from ASPB.
Please provide the following:
- Full Name
- Mailing Address with City and State
- Daytime Phone Number
- Email Address
- Organization Name and Title
Process and Participation Incentive:
A random sample of experts responding to this request will be invited to complete a set of questionnaires. Experts who are selected and agree to participate will receive a $40 VISA gift code and a certificate of appreciation from the U.S. Department of Labor.
Privacy:
All O*NET data collection procedures were approved by RTI’s Institutional Review Board which protects the rights of research participants. To maintain privacy, your expert input will be combined with that provided by other occupation experts and will be used to define work values and worker characteristics for this occupation. The O*NET data is published and released at the occupation level only and/or reported in aggregate form only.
If you know anyone within your organization who is also an expert and who you think would be willing to participate, please share the link to this Blog post with them.
