Apprentice Applicator

Keystone Cooperative; Lebanon (Lebanon County); On-site; USD 32,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Cooperative in Lebanon County, PA seeks a safety‑minded applicator to apply dry fertilizer and lime, operate field equipment, and maintain logs under supervision. The role emphasizes accurate product application, PPE compliance, and positive customer relations.

You will assist with loading, calibration, and field scouting, and work toward state applicator certification with potential advancement to a Custom Applicator position based on performance.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required or offset by experience.
• Must obtain and maintain state commercial applicator certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Ag CDL if required.

Responsibilities

• Provides quality application of dry fertilizer products and lime to customers in a safe and efficient manner.
• Utilize information and equipment technology to apply right products at right rates to fields.
• Assist in mixing, loading, unloading, and transporting crop protection and fertilizer products.
• Follow all laws, regulations, safety rules (including PPE) when handling and applying products.
• Keep logs and perform calibration and preventive maintenance on equipment.
• Operate safely and comply with Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA, and DOT policies.
• Assist other team members in duties needed to run the location and support customers.

Skills

Effective communication

Documentation literacy

Field maps reading

Team player

Safety compliance

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Job Description

Overview of Position: The purpose of the position is to apply products safely and accurately to a wide range of labeled crops and sites from recommendations made by the Manager/Salesperson. This position also operates and maintains Company equipment involved in these applications. This includes building and maintaining customer relations through application of products and providing feedback to customers and location manager of field conditions that they note during application. Upon annual performance evaluations, this position could lead to a Custom Applicator position.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides quality application of dry fertilizer products and lime to customers in a safe and efficient manner.
• Utilize the information supplied and the technology in the application equipment to ensure that the right products at the right rates are applied to the right fields and customers.
• Assist in the mixing, loading, unloading, and transporting of crop protection and fertilizer products.
• Consistently follows all laws, regulations, and safety rules (including PPE) in handling and applying products.
• Obtains/maintains state commercial applicator certification and stays current with requirements.
• Performs daily inspection of equipment prior to field applications and post application inspections.
• Maintains safety equipment in optimum condition in the applicator equipment and immediate work area; follows all safety regulations and guidelines.
• Maintains the appropriate applicator and equipment logs and ensures they are kept up to date.
• Performs the required calibration and preventive maintenance recommended for the equipment.
• Comply with regulatory guidelines in rinsing and washing down both in the field and at the location.
• Assist other team members in various physical duties necessary in running an agricultural location.
• Assist with operational scouting, product transportation and various services for customers.
• Follow Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA, and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply.

Required Qualifications

• High School graduate or GED; may be offset by experience.
• Valid driver’s license; must be able to meet a Motor Vehicle Review in accordance with Company policy.
• Must obtain and maintain required state commercial applicator certification as required by state.
• May be asked to obtain and maintain an Ag CDL.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Communicate effectively with team members and customers and represent Keystone in a professional and courteous manner.
• Ability to read, count, write, and to utilize technology to accurately complete all documentation, including understanding shipping/applicator orders and tickets, product labels, SDS sheets, warning signs and emergency procedures.
• Basic mechanical skills for daily maintenance of equipment preferred.
• Be familiar with crop chemicals, nutrients, farming practices, and crop characteristics.
• Possess the willingness to adapt to changing application technologies as well as seasonal variations in workload responsibilities.
• Use technology to accurately locate application sites and read field maps.
• Must be a team player and enjoy the effort necessary to contribute to a successful operation and company.
• Required overtime as the season demands.

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.
• The employee needs to stay in good physical condition to regularly lift more than 50 pounds, climb ladders, perform preventive maintenance activities, and perform other physical duties necessary in running an agricultural location. Employee will regularly be required to walk, stand, lift, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, handle, feel and grasp.