Education

On-the-Job Training (OJT) Modules

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OJT for MLRA Soil Survey Offices

OJT module completion checklist for MLRA Soil Survey Offices (PDF; 43 KB)

000 Map Unit Design and Mapping Soils
- 001 MLRA concept for doing soil survey (PDF; 147 KB)
- 002 Understand the relationship of the factors of soil formation in your soil survey area (PDF; 1.6 MB)
- 003 Concepts of landscape models and soil catenas (PDF; 87 KB)
- 004 Understand soil variability within the landscape continuum in your soil survey area (PDF; 627 KB)
- 005 How to differentiate between scales and orders of mapping in soil survey (PDF; 245 KB)
- 006 Know what environmental issues exist — how to deal with emergencies (PDF; 152 KB)
- 007 Understanding the processes of mapping soils (PDF; 12.2 MB)
- 008 How to identify native and non-native plant vegetation and relate them to soils in your survey area (PDF; 192 KB)
- 009 How to plan traversing in your soil survey area based on scale and order of soil survey (PDF; 134 KB)
- 010 How to design a map unit (PDF; 75 KB)
- 011 How to recognize and use components in soil survey (PDF; 99 KB)
- 012 How to recognize and distinguish map units (PDF; 86 KB)
- 013 How to name map units (PDF; 36 KB)
- 014 How to establish and track a proposed new map unit ― overview (PDF; 96 KB)
- 015 How to use a soils key for your soil survey area (PDF; 63 KB)
- 016 How to develop a soils key for your survey area (PDF; 88 KB)
- 017 How to effectively orient yourself on a photographic image while mapping or traveling in the field in your soil survey area (PDF; 42 KB)
- 018 How to use a topographic map in your soil survey area (PDF; 55 KB)
- 019 Be able to interpret the photo images in your soil survey area (PDF; 47 KB)
- 020 How to complete premapping in your soil survey area using hardcopy resources, with or without a stereoscope (PDF; 50 KB)
- 021 How to complete pre-mapping in your soil survey area using digital data resources (PDF; 51 KB)
- 022 How to estimate and describe rock fragments on the soil surface (surface stoniness) (PDF; 75 KB)
- 023 How to let people know where you are when you go to the field in your soil survey area (PDF; 169 KB)
- 024 How to present soil survey program benefits to landowners to gain access permission in your soil survey area (PDF; 84 KB)
- 025 How to effectively communicate in a professional manner with sometimes angry or uncooperative landowners and the general public when attempting to gain access to private property (PDF; 77 KB)
100 Soil Describing
- 101 How to use the Field Book for Describing and Sampling Soils (PDF; 127 KB)
- 102 How to fill out a 232 soil description form (PDF; 70 KB)
- 103 How to create sketches for a 232 soil description (PDF; 64 KB)
- 104 How to understand the differences between soil properties and qualities (PDF; 114 KB)
- 105 How to differentiate and identify soil horizons in the field (PDF; 70 KB)
- 106 Soil Color - How to use the Munsell Soil Color Charts to describe soil colors (PDF; 141 KB)
- 107 How to describe soil matrix colors (PDF; 73 KB)
- 108 How to describe mottles (PDF; 72 KB)
- 109 How to describe redoximorphic features (PDF; 63 KB)
- 110 How to describe concentrations (PDF; 62 KB)
- 111 How to describe ped and void surface features (PDF; 62 KB)
- 112 Texture — How to describe sand, silt, and clay in the soil (PDF; 83 KB)
- 113 Texture — How to distinguish sand fractions in the field (PDF; 87 KB)
- 114 Texture — How kinds of clay affect estimating soil (PDF; 85 KB)
- 115 Texture — How to describe texture in organic soil material (PDF; 97 KB)
- 116 Fragments — How to describe content of rock fragments in the soil (PDF; 93 KB)
- 117 Fragments — How to describe size of rock fragments in soil (PDF; 65 KB)
- 118 Fragments — How to describe kinds of rock fragments in the soil (PDF; 70 KB)
- 119 How to describe soil structure (PDF; 61 KB)
- 120 Soil Consistence — How to describe soil rupture resistance (PDF; 64 KB)
- 121 Soil Consistence — How to describe block, ped, and clod cementation (PDF; 63 KB)
- 122 Soil Consistence — How to describe manner of failure (PDF; 190 KB)
- 123 Soil Consistence — How to describe soil stickiness and plasticity (PDF; 70 KB)
- 124 How to describe roots in soil (PDF; 63 KB)
- 125 How to describe pores in soil (PDF; 63 KB)
- 126 How to describe cracks in soil (PDF; 62 KB)
- 127 How to describe field chemical responses in soil (PDF; 64 KB)
200 Soil Classification
- 201 How to use Soil Taxonomy and Keys to Soil Taxonomy (PDF; 76 KB)
- 202 How to use The Guy Smith Interviews: Rationale for Concepts in Soil Taxonomy (PDF; 3.1 MB)
- 203 How to identify diagnostic horizons and characteristics of the higher categories (PDF; 47 KB)
- 204 How to identify soil orders (PDF; 66 KB)
- 205 How to identify the control sections of soils in your survey area (PDF; 632 KB)
- 206 How to identify family classes (PDF; 142 KB)
- 207 How to relate a pedon description with lab data to classification—overview (PDF; 107 KB)
- 208 How to use the Official Soil Series Descriptions (OSD) Web pages (PDF; 970 KB)
- 209 Become familiar with Official Soil Series Descriptions (PDF; 54 KB)
- 210 Understand how a new soil series is developed — overview (PDF; 49 KB)
- 211 How to name a new soil series (PDF; 388 KB)
- 212 How to develop a range of characteristics for a new soil series (PDF; 49 KB)
- 213 How to maintain and process an Official Soil Series Description (PDF; 86 KB)
- 214 How to use the Soil Series Classification (SC) database Web pages (PDF; 853 KB)
300 Soil Survey Documentation
- 301 How to document mapping with soil descriptions, field notes, sketches, GPS coordinates, and photography (PDF; 103 KB)
- 302 Understand documentation standards in soil survey (PDF; 123 KB)
- 303 Transect — How to plan for transect data (PDF; 83 KB)
- 304 Transect — How to collect transect data (PDF; 126 KB)
- 305 How to collect field notes (PDF; 89 KB)
- 306 Understand the concept of typical or representative pedons in soil survey (PDF; 123 KB)
- 307 Understand the interrelationship of MUDs, TUDs, and OSDs (PDF; 300 KB)
- 308 How to use transect data in map unit design (PDF; 117 KB)
- 309 How to develop a range of characteristics for a taxonomic unit description (PDF; 51 KB)
400 Sampling and Characterization
- 401 Understand your responsibilities in regards to cultural resources and endangered species (PDF; 98 KB)
- 402 Understand OSHA standards regarding excavations (PDF; 113 KB)
- 403 Overview of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for soil survey offices (PDF; 771 KB)
- 404 Interpretation of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for soil survey offices (PDF; 549 KB)
- 405 How to properly request laboratory analysis to meet your needs (PDF; 116 KB)
- 406 Understand the standard procedures for sampling soils―overview (PDF; 116 KB)
- 407 How to sample for bulk density (PDF; 63 KB)
- 408 How to sample oriented clods (PDF; 61 KB)
- 409 How to sample for salinity tests (PDF; 63 KB)
- 410 How to sample for engineering tests (PDF; 1.7 MB)
- 411 How to prepare, handle, and ship samples to the NSSC Soil Survey Laboratory (PDF; 188 KB)
- 412 How to access and use soil characterization data (PDF; 74 KB)
- 413 How to analyze and summarize lab data reports for specific important soil properties in your survey area (PDF; 65 KB)
- 414 How to apply lab data to physical and chemical soil properties and qualities ― overview with examples (PDF; 83 KB)
- 415 How to do particle-size analysis (PSA) in the MLRA soil survey office (PDF; 62 KB)
- 416 How to do chemical analysis in the MLRA soil survey office (PDF; 62 KB)
500 Soil Survey Information
- 501 How to access and use the soils.usda.gov Web site (PDF; 59 KB)
- 502 How to find access and use the Web Soil Survey Web site (PDF; 52 KB)
- 503 How to find, access, and use the Soil Data Mart Web site (PDF; 82 KB)
- 504 How to find, access, and use the eFOTG Web site (PDF; 80 KB)
- 505 How to find access and use the Geospatial Data Gateway Web site (PDF; 82 KB)
- 506 Understand where to find and how to use NCSS standards and other guidance documents (PDF; 132 KB)
- 507 Understand the content and function of the NSSH (PDF; 114 KB)
- 508 Understand the content and function of the Geomorphic Description System (GDS) (PDF; 119 KB)
600 Equipment Use and Operation
- 601 How to manage waypoints and operate, navigate, and determine location using a GPS (PDF; 74 KB)
- 602 How to use soil augers, push probes, and back saver probes correctly (PDF; 85 KB)
- 603 How to use shovels, spades, and pickaxes correctly (PDF; 90 KB)
- 604 How to take photographs for soil survey – basics (PDF; 106 KB)
- 605 How to use a clinometer for slope and height measurements (PDF; 217 KB)
- 606 How to locate and safely avoid pipelines and other utilities (PDF; 120 KB)
700 Ecological Inventory

OJT for Technical Soil Services Providers

OJT module completion checklist for Technical Soil Services Providers (PDF; 87 KB)

1000 Soil Science
- 1001 How to understand the water-holding factors in soils (PDF; 73 KB)
- 1002 How to find access and use the Web Soil Survey website (PDF; 48 KB)
- 1003 What are hydric soils? (PDF; 100 KB)
- 1004 Understanding soil erosion (PDF; 68 KB)
- 1005 Soil salinity — the what, where, and how of salinity development (PDF; 49 KB)
- 1006 Soil salinity — identification and measurement (PDF; 51 KB)
- 1007 Soil salinity — effects and management (PDF; 51 KB)
- 1008 Importance of OM and SOC to soil quality (PDF; 62 KB)
- 1009 How to understand the information found within the FOTG/eFOTG sections I and II (PDF; 120 KB)
- 1010 How to understand human alteration of soil quality and soil health in your area — overview (tillage, ripping, urbanization, other) (PDF; 77 KB)
- 1011 Understand the various classification systems in use in your area ― overview (land capability classification [LCC], prime farmland, etc.) (PDF; 142 KB)
- 1012 How to use Web Soil Survey interpretative information (PDF; 79 KB)
- 1013 How to use the Soil Data Mart (PDF; 69 KB)
- 1014 How to use the Soil Data Viewer (basic) (PDF; 75 KB)
- 1015 Where to find and acquire soil information (PDF; 96 KB)
- 1016 Understand soil and plant relationships in your area ― physical and chemical properties (PDF; 118 KB)
- 1017 How to sample soils for testing purposes for a specific need in your State (PDF; 69 KB)
- 1018 Understand the effects of limiting layers on land use ― overview (449 KB)
- 1019 How to identify soil risks and hazards ― overview (114 KB)
- 1020 How to determine the erodibility of soils in your area using spatial and attribute data (PDF; 97 KB)
- 1021 How to recognize potential suitable locations for agricultural waste storage facilities, dams, and ponds using soil information (PDF; 78 KB)
- 1022 How to recognize potential suitable sites for agricultural waste storage facilities, ponds, and dams (PDF; 77 KB)
- 1023 How to Determine NHEL and HEL (PDF; 94 KB)
- 1024 Understand hydric soil indicators and criteria common to your region (PDF; 110KB)
- 1025 How to complete the FPPA forms (PDF; 714 KB)
1100 Soil Survey
- 1101 Understanding map units, delineations, and the components within your survey area (PDF; 686 KB)
- 1102 Understand the uses and limitations of soil survey (PDF; 246 KB)
- 1103 Understand the specific (update) mapping procedures and tools used in the field in your area (PDF; 151 KB)
- 1104 How to identify landscapes, landforms, and surface morphometry–overview (PDF; 91 KB)
- 1105 Key down from landscapes to landforms to associated soil map units and soil components in your area (PDF; 96 KB)
- 1106 Understand the catena concept and its relationship to the soil as a continuum across the landscape in your area (PDF; 88 KB)
- 1107 Know what the NCSS standards used in soil survey are and the kind of information that is in each–overview (PDF; 118 KB)
- 1108 Understand the broad procedures for initial and update soil survey projects–overview (PDF; 157 KB)
- 1109 Understand the relationship of the factors of soil formation in your soil survey area (PDF; 1.6 MB)
1200 Describing Soils
- 1201 How to determine soil texture in the USDA Soil Classification System (PDF; 455 KB)
- 1202 How to recognize soil pedon horizon boundaries and depths (PDF; 70 KB)
- 1203 How to recognize soil structure (PDF; 107 KB)
- 1204 Understand how soil structure affects other soil qualities (PDF; 127 KB)
- 1205 Understand the significance of soil color in your survey area (PDF; 107 KB)
- 1206 How to use the Munsell system to describe soil colors (PDF; 136 KB)
- 1207 How to recognize limiting soil layers in your area (PDF; 65 KB)
- 1208 How to measure soil pH and its importance (PDF; 126 KB)
- 1209 How to determine soil texture using the Unified Classification System ― overview (PDF; 4.1 MB)