Custom Applicator

Keystone Cooperative•Warren, IN

About The Position

The Custom Applicator safely and accurately applies products to a wide range of labeled crops and sites based on recommendations from the Manager/Salesperson. The role also operates and maintains Company application equipment and builds customer relationships through quality fertilizer and crop-protection applications. The applicator reports field conditions observed during applications to customers and the location manager. Following annual performance evaluations, this position could lead to a Professional Custom Applicator. The role includes applying crop-protection products, fertilizer, and lime; assisting with product handling and transportation; maintaining equipment, safety gear, logs, and application records; and complying with applicable safety and regulatory requirements. The employee may also assist with operational scouting, customer services, and other physical duties at an agricultural location, and may serve as the location Safety Coordinator.

Requirements

High school graduate or GED; experience may offset this requirement.
At least 1 year of application experience.
Valid driver’s license and ability to meet the Company’s Motor Vehicle Review requirements.
Obtain and maintain state commercial applicator certification as required by the state.
Minimum of an agricultural CDL.
Communicate effectively with team members and customers and represent Keystone Cooperative professionally and courteously.
Read, count, and write accurately to complete documentation and understand shipping/applicator orders and tickets, product labels, SDS sheets, warning signs, and emergency procedures.
Familiarity with crop chemicals, farming practices, crop characteristics, and weed identification.
Ability to adapt to changing application technologies and seasonal variations in workload.
Ability to accurately locate application sites and read field maps.
Be a team player and contribute to a successful operation and company.
Able to regularly lift more than 50 pounds, climb ladders, perform preventive maintenance, and carry out other physical duties necessary to operate an agricultural location.
Regularly able to walk, stand, lift, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, handle, feel, and grasp.

Nice To Haves

Basic mechanical skills for daily equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities

Apply crop-protection products, fertilizer, and lime safely and efficiently.
Use provided information and application-equipment technology to apply the correct products at the correct rates and bill them to the correct fields and customers.
Assist with mixing, loading, unloading, and transporting crop-protection and fertilizer products.
Follow applicable laws, regulations, safety rules, PPE requirements, and chemical-storage procedures.
Obtain and maintain state commercial applicator certification and remain current with its requirements.
Inspect equipment daily before field applications and perform post-application inspections.
Maintain safety equipment in the applicator equipment and immediate work area, and follow safety guidelines.
Maintain applicator and equipment logs and keep them up to date.
Perform required calibration and preventive maintenance according to equipment recommendations.
Comply with regulatory guidelines for tank mixing, rinsing, and washing equipment in the field and at the location.
Assist team members with physical duties necessary 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.
Apply correct labeling, decals, and DOT numbers to equipment and tanks.
May serve as the location Safety Coordinator and follow company environmental health and safety policies and training.
Communicate observed field conditions to customers and the location manager.
Work required overtime as seasonal demands require.