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O*NET-SOC 19-1012.00

Food Scientists and Technologists

Use chemistry, microbiology, engineering, and other sciences to study the principles underlying the processing and deterioration of foods; analyze food content to determine levels of vitamins, fat, sugar, and protein; discover new food sources; research ways to make processed foods safe, palatable, and healthful; and apply food science knowledge to determine best ways to process, package, preserve, store, and distribute food.

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3
  1. Inspect food processing areas to ensure compliance with government regulations and standards for sanitation, safety, quality, and waste management.Core7494
  2. Check raw ingredients for maturity or stability for processing, and finished products for safety, quality, and nutritional value.Core7486
  3. Study methods to improve aspects of foods, such as chemical composition, flavor, color, texture, nutritional value, and convenience.Core7489
  4. Develop food standards and production specifications, safety and sanitary regulations, and waste management and water supply specifications.Core7492
  5. Stay up to date on new regulations and current events regarding food science by reviewing scientific literature.Core18612
  6. Study the structure and composition of food or the changes foods undergo in storage and processing.Core7490
  7. Confer with process engineers, plant operators, flavor experts, and packaging and marketing specialists to resolve problems in product development.Core7487
  8. Test new products for flavor, texture, color, nutritional content, and adherence to government and industry standards.Core7485
  9. Develop new food items for production, based on consumer feedback.Core18611
  10. Develop new or improved ways of preserving, processing, packaging, storing, and delivering foods, using knowledge of chemistry, microbiology, and other sciences.Core7491
  11. Evaluate food processing and storage operations and assist in the development of quality assurance programs for such operations.Core7488
  12. Demonstrate products to clients.Core7493
  13. Seek substitutes for harmful or undesirable additives, such as nitrites.Core7495

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 22 examples in 13 categories, 13 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Analytical or scientific software

  • BioDiscovery ImaGene
  • Image analysis software
  • Insightful S-PLUS
  • MDS Analytical Technologies GenePix Pro
  • Sensory Computer Systems SIMS
  • STATISTICA

Sales and marketing software

  • HubSpot softwareHot Technology
  • Marketo Marketing AutomationHot Technology

Web platform development software

  • Hypertext markup language HTMLHot Technology

Data base user interface and query software

  • Microsoft AccessHot Technology
  • PathogenTracker
  • Structured query language SQLHot Technology
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture USDA National Nutrient Database

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft ExcelHot TechnologyIn Demand

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office softwareHot TechnologyIn Demand

Electronic mail software

  • Microsoft OutlookHot TechnologyIn Demand

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPointHot TechnologyIn Demand

Word processing software

  • Microsoft WordHot Technology

Customer relationship management CRM software

  • Oracle Eloqua

Object or component oriented development software

  • RHot Technology

Enterprise resource planning ERP software

  • SAP softwareHot Technology

Business intelligence and data analysis software

  • TableauHot Technology

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Getting Information

  • Research methods to improve food products.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

  • Test quality of materials or finished products.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Inspect areas for compliance with sanitation standards.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

  • Evaluate quality of materials or products.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Evaluate new technologies or methods.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

  • Review professional literature to maintain professional knowledge.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment

  • Develop specifications for new products or processes.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Establish standards for products, processes, or procedures.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

  • Confer with clients to exchange information.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

  • Collaborate with technical specialists to resolve design or development problems.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 10
Distinct tools0
Level mix
  • No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.