Field Agronomy Intern: Hands-on Crop Health & IPM

GROWMARK, Inc.; La Porte City (IA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

New Century FS in Ames, Iowa seeks an agronomy field inspector to perform regular crop field inspections, monitor health, and provide timely reports to increase satisfaction and profitability. You will support agronomy services across Central to Northwest Iowa and Southeast South Dakota.

Responsibilities include driving to designated fields, documenting findings with IPM and GPS techniques, discussing results with the agronomy specialist and customers, and attending trainings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Ability to travel independently as needed.
• Occasionally exposed to extreme weather.
• Able to lift 51–70 pounds.
• Walk crop fields and visually inspect crops.

Responsibilities

• Perform regular crop field inspections.
• Drive to designated customer field locations.
• Document findings and complete inspection reports.
• Provide reports to agronomy specialist and customers.

Skills

Field inspections

Customer service

Communication

GPS technology

IPM techniques

Driving

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma

Job description

New Century FS is headquartered in Ames, Iowa withbranches across Central to Northwest Iowa and Southeast South Dakota. New Century FS employs approximately 330employees (including seasonal workers) and serves over 13,000 customers. Providing quality solutions to be the first clear choice as your partner for long-term success, New Century FS offers energy, agronomy, agri-finance, precision agriculture, nutrient management, feed, grain, and turf products and services. New CenturyFS is part of the GROWMARK System, an agricultural cooperative serving more than 100,000 customers across North America and Ontario, Canada.

PURPOSE AND SUMMARY STATEMENT

Performs regular inspections of customer crop fields to monitor crop health and ongoing conditions and assists with general agronomy functions. Provides inspection reports and customer service in a timely and accurate manner to increase customer satisfaction and maintain the reputation and profitability of the organization.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Hands on-on experience in agronomy field and operations

Assist with facility and equipment maintenance and repair

Drives company vehicle to designated customer crop field locations.

Inspects fields using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques and GPS technology to identify weeds, insects, diseases, and other yield limiting threats.

Documents and/or photographs all findings, completes inspection reports, and provides reports to agronomy specialist and customers.

Discusses results with both the agronomy specialist and customers to answer additional questions and add value to the service.

Attends scheduled technical training sessions and meetings

Assists with additional agricultural retail operational duties as time allows

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Supports and contributes to total company goals and objectives through collaboration efforts.

Responsible for operating and maintaining the assigned vehicle according to company standards, adheres to the uniform policy, and maintains the appropriate professional image.

Follows GROWMARK's Code of Conduct and Corporate Compliance Program, Environmental Health and Safety, OSHA and DOT policies and procedures, as they apply.

Performs all other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

Normally requires a high school diploma or the equivalent thereof and possess a basic understanding of production agriculture.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Demonstrates essential abilities including business knowledge, collaboration, communication, customer focus, decision making and skill development.

Must have and maintain a valid driver's license, a satisfactory driving record, and the ability to travel independently as needed.

Occasionally exposed or required to work in extreme weather conditions. (hot, cold, wet, etc.)

Frequently required to lift 51-70 pounds as needed

Must be able to walk crop fields and conduct visual inspections of crops.

Ability and willingness to participate in required training that may include education on GROWMARK's policies and procedures and additional training as it relates to the requirements of the position.

We are an equal opportunity/Disabled/Protected Veteran Employer. All individuals, regardless of demographic or other background, are encouraged to apply. Further, as a federal, state, and local contractor, we comply with government regulations and executive orders as applicable, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with disability and protected veterans.

Employment is contingent on, among other things, receipt of an acceptable and job-related background check, drug test, motor vehicle report, and/or reference check, as applicable and permissible by law.