Apprentice Applicator

Keystone Cooperative; Vincennes (IN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Cooperative is seeking a Custom Applicator in Vincennes, Indiana. The role focuses on safe and precise application of dry fertilizers and lime to crops, using specialized equipment and field maps.

You will help with mixing, loading, unloading, and transporting products, while maintaining logs and ensuring regulatory compliance. You’ll stay current with state commercial applicator certifications and an Ag CDL, and must be able to lift, climb, and perform maintenance as part of daily

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED or equivalent experience.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Review.
• Must obtain and maintain state commercial applicator certification as required by state.
• Must obtain and maintain an Ag CDL.

Responsibilities

• Apply dry fertilizer products and lime safely and efficiently.
• Use application equipment to apply exact products at correct rates to fields.
• Assist with mixing, loading, unloading, and transporting crop products.
• Follow all laws, regulations, safety rules and PPE requirements.
• Maintain state applicator certification and stay current with requirements.
• Inspect equipment daily and perform preventive maintenance.
• Keep logs for applicator and equipment; update as needed.
• Calibrate equipment and perform required maintenance per schedule.
• Follow regulatory guidelines for rinsing and washing in field and location.
• Assist team with various physical duties in running the location.
• Support scouting, product transport, and other services for customers.

Skills

Communication

Reading & Writing

Mechanical basics

Crop knowledge

Team player

Overtime flexibility

Adaptability to technology

Site navigation via maps

Education

High School diploma or GED

State commercial applicator certification

Ag CDL

Tools

None

Job description

Job Description

a Custom Applicator position.

Check out the below one-minute video on the day in the life of our applicators: https://youtu.be/DaiIWBLvQz8

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.

Check out the below one-minute video on the day in the life of our applicators: https://youtu.be/DaiIWBLvQz8

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.
• Must be able 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.