Full-time with Benefits | Sleepy Eye, Hanska, Fairfax, Bird Island, Buffalo Lake, MN 

About the Job

As an Applicator in Agronomy Operations, you’ll go to member locations to deliver and apply crop inputs needed to optimize crop growth and harvest. The equipment you operate will change as the season changes and utilizes the latest technology so being accurate and efficient is a lot easier – and more fun -- than it used to be in this line of work. 

What a Typical Day Looks Like

While you’ll work as part of a team, for most of your day it’s just going to be you and the open countryside as you traverse the expansive fields of our member farmers. In addition to sprayers and spreaders, you may drive a truck with a tender that hauls water so that applicators can refill without returning to the plant.

We’re sticklers for safe, well-operating equipment, so you’ll learn how to maintain the machines you work with. Winter is the time when we do more extensive equipment refurbishing. 

Your First Days on the Job

First, you’ll learn about the co-op and how we all work together to serve our members. Safety is a priority here, so safety training is a part of everyone’s first days. If you’ve never worked in the agriculture industry, we’ll bring you up to speed with modern ag techniques and technologies. We’ll pay for your Commercial Pesticide Applicator License and give you whatever support you need to study and successfully pass the test. As for learning about equipment and materials, that will depend on what season it is when you start and the kind of operations that are taking place at that time. You’ll soon get the hang of how activities and the schedule changes with the seasons. 

Is This For You?

If you’re the kind of person who’s the first to jump up and say “I’ll do that” when there’s work to be done, you’d be great in this position. If you don’t hesitate to ask questions or share information, then you’d be a great fit for this team. Lots of our applicators have a farming background and they say that this is the closest you can get to farming without being a farmer. If you don’t have a farming background, your learning curve might look a little different, but we’re up for teaching you the industry if you want to learn.

What We’re Looking For

We can mold this job to fit your skill level, whether you have decades of experience or you’re just starting out your career. 

Basic Requirements:

• Must have or be able to obtain Class A CDL with Hazmat and Tanker endorsements, and be an insurable
  driver
• Must be able to pass DOT required physical and related drug test
• Ability to operate tractors, semi’s, loaders, and conveyors
• Availability to work extended hours during peak seasons and the ability to work in all climates of weather
• This position is subject to drug and alcohol screening
• Must be able to follow directions and effectively communicate with others
• Attend all safety and education/skills training 

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 75lbs., climb ladders and/or rail cars, stairs, and bins
• May also be required to work in confined spaces
• Must be able to work in grain dust and during inclement weather
• Must be able to perform all physical requirements of the position

Ready to apply?

Visit our application portal to apply for this position.