IPM Technician/Pesticide Applicator

Pinehurst Landscape Co.; Glen Arm (MD); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Health Savings Account

Retirement plan with employer contrib.

Paid time off and holidays

Disability & Life Insurance

Job summary

Pinehurst Landscapes is seeking an IPM Pesticide Technician to monitor landscapes, diagnose problems, and apply treatments only when thresholds are met. You will work with Maintenance, Account Managers, and Operations to protect plant health using targeted, low-risk products and strict safety standards.

Responsibilities include scouting properties, calibrating equipment, keeping detailed records, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Maryland pesticide applicator certification required or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Maryland Professional Fertilizer Applicator certification.
• Valid driver's license with clean driving record.

Responsibilities

• Scout and monitor client properties for pests, diseases, weeds, and environmental issues.
• Identify pests and determine treatment thresholds.
• Recommend and carry out IPM-based treatment plans.
• Apply pesticides, oils, fertilizers, and growth regulators per labels and MD regulations.
• Maintain accurate application records including EPA registration numbers and weather conditions.
• Wear PPE and follow safety procedures.

Skills

IPM principles

Pesticide application

Record keeping

Sprayer calibration

Safety compliance

Education

Horticulture/entomology degree or related field

Pesticide certification (preferred)

Tools

Backpack sprayers

Mobile devices & Office apps

Job description

Job Summary

Working closely with the Maintenance Division, Account Managers, and Operations Manager, the IPM Pesticide Technician is responsible for monitoring, diagnosing, and treating insect, disease, and weed problems on our clients' landscapes. Using Integrated Pest Management principles, this role treats only when monitoring shows it is needed, selects the most targeted and lowest-risk effective option, and applies every product safely, legally, and according to its label. The IPM Pesticide Technician is the company's front line for plant health and plays a key role in protecting the installations our clients have invested in.

About Us

Pinehurst Landscapes is a well-established landscaping and nursery business committed to delivering exceptional service to our clients. We are seeking a knowledgeable, safety-focused IPM Pesticide Technician to deliver plant health care services to our residential and commercial clients and grow our plant health program.

Key Responsibilities

• Scout and monitor client properties on a scheduled basis for insects, diseases, weeds, and cultural or environmental problems
• Identify pests and plant health issues accurately and determine whether treatment thresholds have been reached
• Recommend and carry out treatment plans that follow IPM principles, favoring cultural, mechanical, and biological controls where effective
• Apply pesticides, horticultural oils, fertilizers, and plant growth regulators according to product labels and Maryland Department of Agriculture regulations
• Perform foliar sprays, soil drenches, and soil injections using backpack, hand-held, and truck-mounted equipment
• Mix, load, and calibrate application equipment accurately; inspect, clean, and maintain the spray rig and equipment daily
• Maintain complete and accurate application records, including product, EPA registration number, rate, location, and weather conditions
• Post required notification signs and provide clients with application information as required by law
• Store, handle, and dispose of pesticides and containers safely; maintain chemical inventory and storage area to regulatory standards
• Wear required personal protective equipment and follow all safety, spill response, and environmental protection procedures
• Document field observations with notes and photos and communicate findings to clients and Account Managers
• Identify additional client needs such as pruning, plant replacement, or drainage corrections and pass them to the sales team
• Perform dormant-season work including dormant oil, anti-desiccant, and deer repellent applications, and support other divisions as needed in winter
• Maintain certification and complete recertification credits and continuing education on schedule
• Monitor turf areas for weeds, insects, diseases, nutrient deficiencies, compaction, and other conditions affecting lawn health
• Perform scheduled turf fertilization and pesticide applications, including pre-emergent and post-emergent herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, according to treatment plans, product labels, and applicable Maryland requirements
• Measure turf areas, calculate material quantities, and calibrate spreaders and sprayers to ensure accurate, uniform applications
• Perform core aeration and overseeding, including site preparation, seed selection, application rate calculations, and equipment operation
• Coordinate aeration and overseeding with fertilizer and herbicide applications to support seed establishment and comply with product label restrictions

Required Qualifications

Licensing & Certification

• Maryland Department of Agriculture Certified Pesticide Applicator, Category 3A (Ornamental), 3B (Turf), and 6A (Right of Way) or the ability to obtain certification within six months of hire
• Maryland Department of Agriculture Certified Professional Fertilizer Applicator
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record

Experience & Education

• Minimum 2 years of experience in plant health care, lawn care, or commercial pesticide application
• Working knowledge of common Mid-Atlantic landscape pests and diseases such as scale, mites, lace bug, bagworm, spotted lanternfly, and boxwood blight
• Coursework or degree in horticulture, entomology, plant science, or a related field preferred

Technical Skills

• Ability to read, understand, and follow pesticide labels and Safety Data Sheets
• Experience calibrating and operating backpack sprayers and truck-mounted hydraulic spray equipment
• Accurate record keeping and basic proficiency with mobile devices, Google Suite, and Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift 50 pounds, carry a loaded backpack sprayer, and pull spray hose over uneven terrain
• Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold, and changing weather conditions
• Ability to wear required PPE, including a respirator when required by the label

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with tree injection systems and deep root fertilization equipment
• Experience with LMN software or similar landscape management platforms
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work with a reputable, growing company with 62 years of experience
• Diverse responsibilities across multiple business divisions
• Collaborative work environment
• Support for pesticide certification, recertification credits, and continuing education
• Competitive hourly pay with overtime opportunities during peak season
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Health savings account
• Company-provided short term disability, group term life insurance, and accidental death and dismemberment
• Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Dependent care savings account
• Paid time off and holidays