Apprenticeship training course

Soil scientist (level 7)

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Information about Soil scientist (level 7)

To gather, interpret and evaluate information about the chemistry, biology and physics of soil.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • Soil characteristics including how soils differ, soil nutrients, the soil formation process (pedogenesis), geology, topography, types and structure considering the combination and interaction of soil chemical, physical and biological properties.
  • How to carry out a soil survey (pedology) including classifying soils to a specified standard, considering health and safety, external soil data, relevant legislation, social, economic and environmental factors.
  • Nutrient management and neutrality, carbon accounting and greenhouse gas emission assessment and monitoring, pollution assessments and control, flood risk and natural capital accounting.
  • Substrates and amendments used to benefit soils including composts, and remediation in contaminated soils.
  • Soil-water-air-plant-animal interactions and interfaces including how soil health and resilience is built.
  • Soil function and the value of soil ecosystem goods and services for both businesses and the wider environment.
  • Soil health including soil degradation and considerations for construction, agricultural and horticultural management.
  • Land management implications including contamination, compaction, soil sealing and remediation and considerations for construction, agricultural and horticultural management.
  • The interactions between soil and climate change including organic matter depletion and soil carbon.
  • Existing UK policy, guidance, legislation and strategies, basic protection measures for soils and its place within an international context and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • How different soils respond to different types of management practices.
  • The formation and creation of artificial or engineered soils and how they can be used.
  • Land management economics including the cost of getting it wrong: for horticulture, forestry, construction and soil use for habitat creation.
  • The global political environment and its impact on soil management.
  • The wider ecological and archaeological environment and its impact on soil management.
  • Land drainage design and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) for different environments and drainage system and catchment hydrological modelling.
  • Secondary data and information including soil maps, Geographic Information System Mapping (GIS).
  • Levels of authority and the circumstances in which escalation or referral to other colleagues or stakeholders is required.
  • Working with clients including project management and understanding the brief.
  • Developing and implementing soil resource and research plans, sustainable soil management plans, budgets (financial and non-financial), time management, commercial awareness, health and safety (including risk assessments and method statements) and quality standards.
  • How to commission soil surveys, testing and analysis.
  • Opportunities for introducing innovative techniques across projects or the wider business.
  • Critical awareness of stakeholder engagement, mapping, drivers, engagement opportunities and building collaborative relationships.
  • Approaches to soil science research questions and the methodologies and techniques required to deliver valid and reliable results.
  • Methods used to review, analyse and draw conclusions from data (including how to apply statistically valid comparisons and understand the reliability of data) strategies to present conclusions to clients and other audiences and influence stakeholders.

  Skills

  • Interpret the relationships between soil and landscape, land use and climate.
  • Initiate, evaluate, and select the most effective soil sampling and survey technique to meet the project objectives and landscape context.
  • Critique Agricultural Land Classification reports.
  • Select and apply relevant and effective data collection and interpretation, including before and after analysis, for the required purpose including Earth Observation (EO) data, Geographic Information System Mapping (GIS) and soil maps.
  • Based on the client brief, develop project scope and identify outcomes, deliverables and key performance indicators, including sustainability.
  • Select and justify cost effective soil testing methods that achieve project outcomes and ensure accuracy.
  • Consider the interrelationship between the soil science project, the wider geo-political environment and current regulations and guidelines.
  • Design and implement soil experiments, resource and research plans, analysis methodologies, and survey approaches including land access and statistical analysis.
  • Undertake digital modelling of soil and use soil data to strengthen the applicability of models.
  • Analyse and handle confidential information securely.
  • Manage the delivery of the project plans including budget, tenders for services, obtaining relevant permits, timelines and address any risks and concerns.
  • Develop, maintain and monitor compliance with health and safety requirements including Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS).
  • Take a systematic approach to identify interacting factors of soil investigations and the key stakeholders.
  • Analyse soil information to draw robust conclusions and identify the limitations of the results and the context within which they apply.
  • Produce verbal and written specialist technical reports, following standard policies and procedures, based on the evidence collected.
  • Communicate soil information to meet the needs of various stakeholders.
  • Apply a systematic approach to solving problems that involve interacting factors and provide sustainable solutions.
  • Present project outcomes and justify the fit with objectives.
  • Identify opportunities to implement best practice and innovative techniques and promote their application into the project or across the organisation.

  Behaviours

  • Work proactively and collaboratively with team members and stakeholders from all backgrounds.
  • Act professionally, demonstrating integrity, empathy and working ethically.
  • Committed to ethical reporting and when making recommendations, including trade-offs.
  • Committed to using innovative approaches and new practices.
  • Works within limits of responsibility and internal policies and procedures.
  • Respect confidentiality on work related and personal matters.
  • Be adaptable, reliable and objective.
  • Take responsibility for personal development, demonstrating commitment to learning, self-improvement and to continual development of technical skills.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Health and science
• Qualification level: 7; Equal to master’s degree
• Course duration: 24 months
• Maximum funding: £21,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.

View more information about Soil scientist (level 7) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.