Intern - Crop Technician

Keystone Cooperative; Covington (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursement

Drone license education reimbursement

Intern incentives/awards

Job summary

The Keystone Cooperative is seeking Crop Technician Interns to perform crop diagnostic tasks throughout the growing season, including scouting fields, collecting tissue samples, soil moisture probing, soil sampling, UAV flights, and assisting with field signs.

Interns will travel across the territory, primarily in fields, with some training, and will engage in weekly professional development while supporting the Ag Tech team to drive timely, economical decisions.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in accredited college or university.
• Agronomy students preferred; others considered.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable vehicle.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and learn quickly.

Responsibilities

• Scout fields and create scouting reports for weeds, insects, diseases, growth stages, and stand counts.
• Perform UAV flights to collect imagery and data for analysis.
• Collect corn or soybean tissue samples and prepare for testing.
• Conduct soil moisture probing and report results to the Ag Tech team.
• Take soil nitrate samples to monitor in-season nutrient availability.
• Organize, place, and remove field signs.
• Travel 100% within the territory; 75% in fields, 25% in training/tours/events.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule and participate in weekly professional development activities.

Skills

Outdoor work

Organizational skills

Self-motivated

Agronomy student preferred

Driver's license

GPS/iPad usage

Education

Currently enrolled in college/university

Job description

Job Description

Position Overview : Crop Technician Interns perform various crop diagnostic jobs throughout the growing season. These activities include but are not limited to scouting fields, collecting tissue samples, soil moisture probing, soil sampling, performing UAV flights, and assisting with field signs. Crop Technician Interns play an important role in the services offered by Keystone Cooperative to make timely, informed, and economic decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Include but are not limited to

• Scouting: Create scouting reports that identify weeds, insects, diseases, growth stages, stand counts, and any other field anomalies. Report observations back to Ag Tech team.
• UAV Flights: Utilize drones to make aerial observations, produce imagery, and collect data.
• Tissue Sampling: Collect corn or soybean tissue and prepare for testing.
• Soil Moisture Probing: Perform soil moisture tests in designated fields and report data back to Ag Tech team. Install moisture monitoring equipment used to make watering recommendation on irrigated field.
• Soil Sampling: Soil nitrate sample collection used to monitor in-season nutrient availability.
• Field Signs: Organize, place, and remove field signs.
• 100% travel in territory.
• 75% in fields, 25% in training/tours/events.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Weekly professional development activities.

Skills and Qualifications :

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods of time and under all weather conditions.
• Above average organizational skills, ability to understand new concepts, and learn quickly.
• Complete work with little or no supervision in a timely manner; self-motivated.
• Agronomy students preferred, however any student with a genuine interest in working in the agricultural/agronomy field is considered.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, good driving record, and reliable vehicle.
• Ability to use an iPad, GPS software, and field equipment.

Compensation:

• Hourly (Competitive Wage).
• Mileage Reimbursement following IRS Standard Rate.
• Drone License education and exam fee reimbursement.
• Incentives/Awards for interns who complete internship.

Education and Experience:

• Currently enrolled in accredited college or university.