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Farm machinery operators

OaSIS code 84120.02

Farm machinery operators operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment.

Overview

Also known as

  • Farm equipment operator
  • Farm machinery operator
  • Harvester machine operator

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate farm equipment and machinery to till soil, plant, cultivate and harvest crops, and load and unload crops or containers of materials
  • Perform equipment and machinery maintenance
  • Monitor equipment and machinery operations to detect malfunctions
  • Follow safety procedures
  • May perform minor repairs to farm equipment and machinery.

Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Managers in agriculture (80020)
  • Harvesting labourers (85101)
  • Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (82030)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

8 – Natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

84 – Workers in natural resources, agriculture and related production

Sub-major group

841 – Workers in natural resources and fisheries

Minor group

8412 – Workers in agriculture and fishing occupations

Unit group

84120 – Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators

Occupational profile

84120.02 – Farm machinery operators

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
4 - High Level
Electronic Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
3 - Moderate Level
Managing Resources
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
2 - Less than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
3 - Once a week or more but not every day

Workplaces/employers

  • Crop farms
  • Fruit farms
  • Livestock farms
  • Specialty farms
  • Vegetable farms

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Multi-Limb Coordination
5 - Highest Level
Multi-Signal Response
5 - Highest Level
Rate Control
5 - Highest Level
Reaction Time
5 - Highest Level
Control of Settings
4 - High Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Equipment and Tool Selection
3 - Moderate Level
Operation and Control
3 - Moderate Level
Operation Monitoring of Machinery and Equipment
3 - Moderate Level
Preventative Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important
Independence
3 - Important
Leadership
3 - Important
Stress Tolerance
3 - Important