Beamter/Beamtin in der Agrarverwaltung (gehobener technischer Dienst)

Learning locations include: Educational institutions of public administration (classrooms) and Agricultural authorities (offices).

Amendments to the Federal Career Ordinance: The new Federal Career Ordinance came into force on March 17, 2026. It opens up needs-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is, among other things, the equalization of vocational and academic education. For example, access to the higher technical administrative service and the higher scientific service is now also possible for individuals with vocational advanced training qualifications such as 'Bachelor Professional' or 'Master Professional'.

Occupation type: Civil servant training; different career designations may exist in individual Bundesländer (federal states). Type of training: Preparatory service, regulated by ordinances of the Bundesländer (federal states). Duration of preparatory service: Typically 1.5 years. Minimum prerequisite for admission to preparatory service: Varies depending on the Bundesland (federal state) (e.g., a completed Bachelor's Studium (degree)). Learning locations: Educational institutions of public administration, agricultural authorities. Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher technical service of agricultural administration develop plans and concepts, process application procedures, issue statements, and make decisions according to the applicable law or prepare administrative decisions. A key focus of their work is the implementation of agricultural policy measures. They inform farmers about support programs, implement them, and handle the associated organizational and administrative tasks.

Typically 1.5 years.

The selection process assesses personal and professional suitability. This takes place, for example, within the framework of an interview.

Structure of a preparatory service in the higher technical service of agricultural administration: Training section I in central organizational units of the Chamber of Agriculture: 6 months. Training section II in decentralized organizational units of the Chamber of Agriculture, such as district offices or approval offices, as well as at a municipality: 12 months. Career examination. Total training duration: 1.5 years.

No course fees are charged. However, travel expenses, costs for learning materials, and accommodation at the training location may arise.

Theoretical and practical training content includes general administration, administrative law, budget, treasury, accounting, agricultural law, consulting methodology, and the preparation of expert opinions and statements. Depending on the specialization, specific knowledge is acquired in areas such as business administration (e.g., operational analysis and planning, accounting, funding measures, taxation, credit and tax), plant production (e.g., production and marketing of plant products, soil science, arable farming, grassland management, fertilization, plant protection, economics, ecology), animal production (e.g., guidelines for proper animal husbandry, animal breeding, animal welfare, animal disease prevention, feed management, stable construction, agricultural technology), or horticulture (e.g., vegetable, fruit, and ornamental plant cultivation, nurseries, perennial gardening, soil science, plant diseases, plant protection, business administration, marketing).

During theoretical training phases, one should expect to attend lectures, engage in independent work (e.g., preparing for and reviewing lectures, researching in libraries, preparing performance records), and manage organization (e.g., adhering to deadlines for presentations and project work). During practical training phases, practical collaboration (under guidance) is involved, such as participating in consultations and on-site inspections. Key qualifications like problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills are enhanced.

The exemplary monthly gross basic salary for a trainee civil servant is 1,549 Euros. This amount is based on state salary laws and may also include capital-forming benefits, family allowances, and other bonuses or surcharges.

Training is possible, for example, with degrees in horticulture (undergraduate) or agricultural science (undergraduate).

In-depth knowledge in management/organization is a good prerequisite for a successful preparatory service, enabling efficient resolution of problems in administrative organization within one's area of responsibility.

The following alternatives are available for the profession of Civil Servant in Agricultural Administration (higher technical service): Area of Law and Administration: Civil Servant in Forestry Service (higher service), Civil Servant in Environmental Administration (higher technical service). Commonality: Taking on environmental administrative tasks in forestry and agricultural economics. Area of Plants: Agricultural Management (advanced), Agricultural Science (advanced), Horticulture (advanced). Commonality: Collecting, processing, and evaluating forestry or agricultural scientific data.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) in the higher technical service of agricultural administration takes place as a preparatory service and usually lasts 1.5 years. It is regulated by the ordinances of the Bundesländer (federal states) and concludes with a career examination. A Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) is usually a prerequisite.

This career path is established in the following Bundesländer (federal states), but specific graduation/professional titles are not available: Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Schleswig-Holstein, Thuringia. Career titles: Civil Servant - Agricultural Administration (higher technical service), Civil Servant - Agricultural Economic Service (career group 2, first entry level), Civil Servant - Agriculture, Home Economics, Nutrition (third qualification level), Civil Servant - Higher Agricultural Technical Service, Civil Servant - Agricultural Technical Service (career group 2, first entry level), Civil Servant - Agricultural Technical Service (career group 2, first entry level), Civil Servant - Agricultural Administration (career group 2, first entry level). The career titles are exemplary and may vary depending on the Bundesland (federal state). Note: The competent authorities in the individual Bundesländer (federal states) determine whether the career path is structured as an Ausbildung (vocational training).

After their Ausbildung (vocational training), Civil Servants in the higher technical service of agricultural administration work in agricultural authorities, for example, in offices for agricultural structure and agricultural planning. They can keep their professional knowledge up-to-date or bring it to the latest standard through adaptation training. The range of topics extends from agriculture to nature conservation. With appropriate suitability, Civil Servants in the higher technical service of agricultural administration have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Further Studium (university studies) can also be considered. For example, obtaining a Masterabschluss (master's degree) in agricultural science is a logical step.

Depending on the Bundesland (federal state), specializations are offered, for example: Business administration, plant production, animal production, horticulture, sustainable land use and rural areas, home economics and nutrition.

The preparatory service for civil servant careers is regulated by the Bundesländer (federal states) in their own ordinances. The respective provisions may differ from each other. For example, the Ordinance of the Ministry for Rural Areas on the establishment of the career path and the Ausbildung (vocational training) and examination for the higher agricultural technical service (APrOLW gD) of 11.05.2015 (BW.GBl. S. 334), last amended by Article 23 of the law of 07.02.2023 (BW.GBl. S. 26). Also, the Ordinance on Admission, Ausbildung (vocational training) and Examination in the specialized areas of Agriculture, Home Economics, Nutrition and Vocational School Service for Home Economics, Nutrition and Supply (FachV-Lw) of 27.11.2019 (Bay. GVBl. S. 705), amended by § 1 of the Ordinance of 04.06.2024 (Bay.GVBl. S. 157).

The prerequisite for this Ausbildung (vocational training) is usually a successfully completed Bachelorstudium (bachelor's degree) or an equivalent university degree in a relevant field (e.g., horticulture or agricultural science). Additionally, in some Bundesland (federal states), proof of a several-month internship in one of the focus areas may be required.