Apprentice Applicator

Keystone Cooperative•Logansport, IN

About The Position

The Apprentice Applicator safely and accurately applies products to labeled crops and sites according to recommendations from the Manager/Salesperson. The role also operates and maintains company application equipment, supports customer relationships through application work, and reports observed field conditions to customers and the location manager. Annual performance evaluations may lead to advancement to a Custom Applicator position. The position includes applying dry fertilizer and lime; helping mix, load, unload, and transport crop protection and fertilizer products; maintaining equipment, safety gear, and application records; and following applicable safety, environmental, regulatory, OSHA, and DOT requirements. The employee also assists with operational scouting, product transportation, customer services, and other physical duties at an agricultural location.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED; experience may offset this requirement.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet the company’s Motor Vehicle Review requirements.
Obtain and maintain required state commercial applicator certification.
Communicate effectively with team members and customers and represent Keystone professionally and courteously.
Read, count, and write, and use technology to complete documentation accurately, including interpreting shipping/applicator orders and tickets, product labels, SDS sheets, warning signs, and emergency procedures.
Be familiar with crop chemicals, nutrients, farming practices, and crop characteristics.
Adapt to changing application technologies and seasonal variations in workload.
Use technology to locate application sites accurately and read field maps.
Be a team player and contribute to a successful operation and company.
Maintain the physical ability to regularly lift more than 50 pounds, climb ladders, perform preventive maintenance, and perform other physical duties. Regular activities include walking, standing, lifting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, handling, feeling, and grasping.

Nice To Haves

Basic mechanical skills for daily equipment maintenance.
May be asked to obtain and maintain an Ag CDL.

Responsibilities

Apply dry fertilizer products and lime safely, efficiently, and to a high standard.
Use supplied information and application-equipment technology to apply the correct products at the correct rates to the correct fields and customers.
Assist with mixing, loading, unloading, and transporting crop protection and fertilizer products.
Follow applicable laws, regulations, safety rules, and PPE requirements when handling and applying products.
Obtain and maintain state commercial applicator certification and remain current with its requirements.
Inspect equipment before and after field applications.
Keep safety equipment in the applicator equipment and immediate work area in optimum condition and follow safety guidelines.
Maintain applicator and equipment logs and keep them up to date.
Perform required calibration and preventive maintenance recommended for equipment.
Follow regulatory guidelines when rinsing and washing equipment in the field and at the location.
Assist team members with physical duties needed to operate an agricultural location.
Assist with operational scouting, product transportation, and customer services.
Follow applicable Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA, and DOT policies and procedures.
Communicate observed field conditions to customers and the location manager.
Work required overtime as seasonal demands require.