Apprentice Applicator

Keystone Cooperative•Stilesville, IN

About The Position

The Apprentice Applicator safely and accurately applies products to labeled crops and sites based on recommendations from the Manager/Salesperson. The role operates and maintains Company application equipment, builds customer relations through quality application services, and reports observed field conditions to customers and the location manager. Based on annual performance evaluations, this position may lead to a Custom Applicator position.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED; experience may offset this requirement.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet a Motor Vehicle Review in accordance with Company policy.
Must obtain and maintain state-required commercial applicator certification.
Ability to communicate effectively with team members and customers and represent Keystone professionally and courteously.
Ability to read, count, write, and use technology to complete documentation accurately, including understanding shipping/applicator orders and tickets, product labels, SDS sheets, warning signs, and emergency procedures.
Willingness to adapt to changing application technologies and seasonal variations in workload responsibilities.
Ability to use technology to locate application sites accurately and read field maps.
Must be a team player and willing to contribute to a successful operation and company.
Ability to work required overtime as the season demands.
Ability to regularly lift more than 50 pounds, climb ladders, perform preventive maintenance, and carry out other physical duties required at an agricultural location.
Ability to regularly walk, stand, lift, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, handle, feel, and grasp.

Nice To Haves

Basic mechanical skills for daily equipment maintenance.
Familiarity with crop chemicals, nutrients, farming practices, and crop characteristics.
May be asked to obtain and maintain an Ag CDL.

Responsibilities

Apply dry fertilizer products and lime safely and efficiently.
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 all applicable laws, regulations, safety rules, PPE requirements, and Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA, and DOT policies and procedures.
Obtain and maintain required state commercial applicator certification and stay current with certification requirements.
Inspect equipment daily before and after field applications.
Maintain safety equipment in optimum condition in the applicator equipment and immediate work area, and follow safety regulations and guidelines.
Maintain applicator and equipment logs and keep them up to date.
Perform required calibration and preventive maintenance recommended for equipment.
Rinse and wash down equipment in the field and at the location in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Assist team members with physical duties necessary to operate an agricultural location.
Assist with operational scouting, product transportation, and other customer services.
Communicate field conditions observed during application to customers and the location manager.