Apprenticeship- Custom Applicator

SUMMARY

As a Custom Applicator Apprentice, the apprentice is responsible for completing all necessary coursework and on-the job training as outlined in the Ag Partners’ Customer Applicator Apprenticeship Appendix. The apprentice will also be responsible for excellent customer service, safe and efficient application of chemicals and fertilizer products, as well as general maintenance and upkeep of equipment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Includes the following and other duties may be assigned).

• Load, handle, and apply dry and liquid fertilizer, lime, and crop protection products.
• Understand and safely operate the application equipment assigned.
• Utilize the information supplied and the technology in the application equipment to ensure that the right products at the right rates are applied and billed to the right fields and customers.
• Assist in the mixing, loading, unloading, and transporting of crop protection and fertilizer products.
• Assist with inventory management.
• Works with supervisor and co-workers to keep errors to a minimum.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Consistently follows all laws, regulations, and safety rules (including PPE) in handling and applying products and storing chemicals.
• Assist with the maintenance of equipment and plant.
• Maintain positive communication with the supervisor and grower as needed.
• Properly completes necessary paperwork and records.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications, demands and environments described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Must have a High School Diploma or 3-5 years of previous experience with diverse agribusiness firms that include grain, feed, fertilizer, and farm supply operations. Must have experience or willing to learn how to operate ag production and other heavy equipment and be familiar with current farming practices. Must have basic computer operation experience. Willing to seek out and attend additional continuing education, seminars, classes, or other job-related education requirements or opportunities.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to read aerial photo maps for proper field identification.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, volume, and weights.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS

Must obtain and maintain a Class A CDL with Haz-Mat, air brake and tanker endorsements with a safe driving record. Commercial Applicator’s 1A license if required by law.

REASONING ABILITY

The ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Able to deal with problems with several concrete variables in standard situations. Must be able to think quickly and perform a mental assessment of workplace hazards, take appropriate precautions, and choose appropriate PPE as dictated by need, regulation and labeling.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms, talk or hear, taste or smell; stand; walk; sit and climb; or balance. The employee is required to regularly stand or sit for long periods of time. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 65 pounds. The employee may frequently need to climb ladders (may range from 5’ to 30’). This may include structural ladders as well as climbing into large vehicles and/or tractors. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme cold and extreme heat toxic or caustic chemicals and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; risk of electrical shock and explosives. The noise level in this work environments is usually loud (although not believed to exceed the eight-hour threshold for working in or around loud equipment). The employee must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments.