Apprentice Applicator
Keystone Cooperative

Job Description

Position Overview: The purpose of this position is to safely apply products to a wide range of crops and sites, while operating and maintaining company equipment. This includes building and maintaining customer relations through expert application of crop protection and fertilizer products; providing feedback to customers and location managers, on weeds, insects or fertility problems that are identified during application.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Include but are not limited to

• Load, handle, and apply dry and liquid fertilizer, lime, and crop protection products
  
• Understand and safely operate the application equipment assigned
  
• Utilize the information and technology supplied in the application equipment to ensure that the right products, at the right rates, are applied and billed to the right fields and customers
  
• Assist in the mixing, loading, unloading and transporting of crop protection and fertilizer products
  
• Consistently follow all laws, regulations, and safety rules, including PPE, in handling and applying products and storing chemicals
  
• Assist with the maintenance of plant and equipment
  
• Maintain positive communication with the supervisor and grower, as needed
  
• Assist with scouting, product transportation and various services for producers
  
• Properly complete necessary paperwork and records
  

Skills and Qualifications:

• Class A CDL with hazmat, tanker, doubles and triples endorsements, or ability to obtain within 6 months
  
• Category 1 and 14 applicators license, or ability to obtain within 6 months
  
• Ability to operate various types of application equipment and be mechanically inclined
  

• Be familiar with crop chemicals, farming practices, crop characteristics, and weed identifications
  
• Have an understanding of safe working conditions and operations of vehicles
  
• Be willing and able to work extended hours six or seven days a week during busy seasons
  
• Be willing and able to work well with others, to take and give constructive criticism, and to lend a helping hand
  
• Must continue to grow and learn through meetings, trainings, industry publications, and others
  
• Possess the willingness to adapt to changing application technologies as well as seasonal variations in workload responsibilities
  
• Must be able to work with minimum supervision
  
• Possess the ability to accurately locate application sites and read field maps
  
• Excellent driving record
  

Physical Requirements:

• Climbing in and out of equipment
  
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs
  
• Bending, lifting, twisting, walking
  
• Ability to work in the outdoor elements
  

---