Custom Applicator - Columbus, Nebraska, , United States

FRONTIER COOPERATIVE is an agriculture leader in Nebraska providing grain, agronomy, feed and energy products and services to our customers. At Frontier, we have a long-standing tradition of successful partnerships with our customers by managing our business with the highest inte ...

Job description

FRONTIER COOPERATIVE is an agriculture leader in Nebraska providing grain, agronomy, feed and energy products and services to our customers. At Frontier, we have a long-standing tradition of successful partnerships with our customers by managing our business with the highest integrity and quality while being responsible stewards in our communities.

We are now hiring for a Custom Applicator for our Columbus/Oconee, NE location.  This position is being offered as full-time with benefits.

Custom Applicators operate spraying or dry fertilizer machinery to apply dry or liquid fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides to wheat, beans, and corn fields in a safe, economical, and efficient manner that will ensure excellent customer service and standards are met. Outside of the custom application season, this position will be assigned essential duties in the seed/feed warehouse, grain elevator/bins, flat grain storage, anhydrous ammonia station and general maintenance and repairs.

Essential Duties:  

• Operates the constant flow sprayers, the variable rate applicators and/or the dry spreaders in the most efficient, economical, and safe manner possible when applying pre-emergent and post emergent chemicals, insecticides, lime, and dry and liquid fertilizer products on producer's fields.
• Maintains machinery in an operationally safe condition by performing daily inspections for defects or broken parts; proper oil, fuel, and anti-freeze levels, properly air tire pressure, operational wiper blades, horns, lights, turn signals, and any on-board computers.
• Performs routine maintenance and repairs on sprayers and dry spreaders; changes oil and filters; replaces lights, belts, wiper blades, grease fittings, cleans chemical tanks with cleaning agent, cleans inside and outside of sprayer regularly to prolong proper mechanical operations of machinery and promote positive image for the company; report any unsafe equipment, major mechanical issues, or problems of improper performance to supervisor.
• Prepares chemical and fertilizer mix by following work orders and batch sheets (loads needed per field) from Field Agronomist; uses manual or computerized chemical mixing systems; reads and understands label information from manufacturers and distributors of herbicides, insecticides, fertilizers, and other products containing dangerous chemicals.
• Perform basic math computations during chemical mixing to obtain proper quantity and quality of product; must know the chemical and/or fertilizer's chemical properties and amount of water needed in the mix based on acres to be sprayed and concentration of chemical needed; evaluates product label information to ensure proper use during application; when operating a variable rate sprayer, downloads product and producer information into on-board computer system to calculate the variable application based on the needs of the field; performs a checks and balance system to ensure the proper chemicals are loaded on the sprayer in the proper quantity and mixture.
• Prepares sprayer for loading of product; connects hoses and begins transfer process; when transfer is completed secure hoses and tanks on sprayers; reviews and double checks plat and/or aerial maps of producer's fields and establishes an efficient route to the producer's field; ensures product arrives in good condition; maintains product transport documentation at all times in sprayer until the end of each day; maneuvers sprayer into proper position on producer's land; avoid damage to customer's property when positioning for unloading or loading of chemicals; avoid spilling chemicals; clean up any spillage that occurs; observe and report any unusual activity or problems to supervisor.
• Applies products on producer's fields in a timely, effective, and accurate manner; maintains accurate documentation on the service provided, product applied, rates of application, wind speed, soil conditions, and time spent in the field.  At the end of each day, submit all competed work orders to office locations for proper billing and filing.
• Works collaboratively with Commercial Truck Drivers that operate tender trucks to receive chemical or fertilizer products in the producer's fields; receive work orders and batch sheets on product delivered from drivers, activate auto shutoffs; assist in connecting transfer hoses, operate transfer system to fill sprayer tanks, disconnect hoses and secures sprayer tanks.

Job skills and requirements:

• This position must have knowledge, skills, and abilities in customer service; general laborer, transporting and application of chemical products, safety management, time management, problem solving, math skills and analyzing information. 
• Ability to safely operate both the constant and variable rate sprayers, dry spreaders, company vehicles, anhydrous ammonia stations, nurse tanks, elevator equipment and weigh scales.
• Knowledge of on-board computer systems in sprayers and at chemical plants; office personal computers, forklifts, and two-way radio systems.
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or electronic form; read and interpret labels and directions, sprayer gauges and meters, directional, aerial and plat maps, safety rules, weigh tickets, load and delivery tickets, work orders, operating and maintenance procedure manuals and instructions.
• Ability to speak effectively before customers or employees of the company.
• Perform basic math computations.  Such as add, subtract, multiply, divide, proportions, percentages, and volume.
• Requires a valid operator's license, Commercial Chemical Applicator's license and a Commercial Driver's License - Class A or B with HazMat and Tanker endorsements and/or can obtain these licenses within 90 days of employment; able to be certified in forklift operation.

Benefits available to all full-time employees:

• Cooperative retirement plan (PAYCHECK FOR LIFE) 
• 401(K) retirement (traditional and Roth) 
• Medical, dental and vision insurance, plus other supplemental insurances available
• FSA/HSA spending accounts
  
• Vacation and sick leave 
• Yearly uniform and boot allowances
• 360 wellness program with incentives
  
• Sign-on bonus and employee referral bonuses
  
• And more

EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE AT FRONTIER COOPERATIVE