Agronomy Operations (Seasonal) - Herber's Ag, LLC.

Herbers Ag; Audubon (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Herbers Ag in Audubon, IA is seeking a hands-on Operations Associate to support crop protection product applications, fertilizer handling, and loading duties. You will operate fertilizer tender trucks, NH3 equipment, forklifts, and assist with bulk product processing using Kahler systems.

This role requires a Class A CDL with tanker and HazMat endorsements, DOT physical compliance, and a Commercial Applicators License.

Qualifications

• Must hold or be able to obtain a Class A CDL with tanker and HazMat endorsement.
• Must obtain Commercial Applicators License.
• Must pass DOT physical every 2 years.
• High school diploma or GED with 1-3 months related experience.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Ability to read and interpret safety and operating manuals.
• Seasonal farm supply business with in-season time commitments.

Responsibilities

• Apply pre and post emerge crop protection products, dry and liquid fertilizer, and lime.
• Operate fertilizer tender trucks and NH3 equipment.
• Assist in loading and unloading of products from vehicles based on work orders.
• Operate forklift/loader and use Kahler system for bulk products.
• Maintain clean, safe work areas and equipment; assist in setup and maintenance.
• Work extended hours during busy season to ensure good customer service.
• Adhere to safety protocols and wear PPE; communicate issues to supervisor.
• Interact with customers professionally and support location operations.

Skills

CDL – Class A

HazMat endorsement

Customer service mindset

Safety awareness

Reading safety manuals

Education

High school diploma or GED

Commercial Applicators License

DOT physical every 2 years

CDL eligibility / obtainability

Job description

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Include but are not limited to the following:

Operations

• Apply pre and post emerge crop protection products, dry and liquid fertilizer, and lime.
• Operate fertilizer tender trucks.
• Fill and transport NH3 equipment.
• Assist in loading and unloading of products from vehicles based on work orders.
• Operate forklift/loader to move seed, chemical, fertilizer, etc.
• Utilize the automated Kahler system when processing bulk agronomy products.
• Assist in other areas of the location as needed.

Maintenance

• Perform standard routine maintenance and repairs to equipment throughout all areas of the location.
• Ensures that work area, equipment, and vehicles are all neat, clean, and well maintained.
• Assist in setup and maintenance of equipment.

Other

• Uses all tools, equipment, and vehicles carefully and for their intended use.
• Works extended hours as requested by supervisor to ensure good customer service in busy season.

Basic Employment Expectations:

Safety

• Performs work safely and uses the appropriate PPE.
• Checks the work area for hazards and corrects/reports unsafe conditions.
• Considers the safety of oneself, and other employees, and customers.
• Follows all safety protocols and seeks advice from supervisor when uncertain.

Communication

• Maintains open communication and cooperates with supervisors, departments, and fellow employees.
• Communicates with supervisor and others immediately when unexpected problems cause absence, lateness, or the need to leave early.

Accountability & Professionalism

• Abides by policies set forth in the employee policy manual.
• Carries a fair share of the workload.
• Promotes NEW Cooperative through positive, friendly, and professional interactions.
• Is punctual, follows directives, and works in an efficient and timely manner; accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of the work.
• Understands that satisfactory attendance is essential to the efficient operations of the work environment.

Customer Service

• Continually works to satisfy customers to address questions/concerns through effective communication, solving problems, responding to questions, and managing their expectations.

Personal/Professional Development

• Establishes personal performance goals and works toward these goals.
• Continually upgrades and demonstrates knowledge of the job.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Must be licensed and insurable to drive.
• Must have or the ability to obtain a Class A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) with tanker and HazMat endorsement.
• Must have or be able to obtain a Commercial Applicators License.
• Must be able to pass a D.O.T. physical every 2 years at a minimum as required by law.
• High school diploma or GED with 1-3 months of related experience.
• Understand the importance of providing very high levels of customer service.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Understand the seasonality of the farm supply business and the in-season time commitment.
• Must be able to interact and effectively communicate with customers and individuals at all levels of the organization.
• Possesses problem solving capability and understands the operational processes.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is rarely required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Position will rarely work in wet or humid, extreme cold/heat (all non-weather) conditions, work in high, precarious places, work in fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, work in explosive atmosphere, and vibration.
• Position will occasionally work near moving mechanical parts and toxic or caustic chemicals.
• Position will frequently work in outdoor weather conditions.

Disclaimer: This job description indicates the general nature and minimum level of work expected. It is not designed to cover every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the employee. The employee may be asked to perform other duties related to the successful performance of the job.