Agronomy Operations & Maintenance Technician

Join the Team at Northern Partners Cooperative

Northern Partners Cooperative is looking for a dedicated and driven Agronomy Operations & Maintenance Technician to join our team at our Malden, IL location. If you have a passion for agriculture, enjoy hands-on work, and take pride in maintaining vital equipment while supporting our growers with top-notch service, we'd love to connect with you!

The Agronomy Operations & Maintenance Technician plays a key role in supporting the efficient, safe, and effective daily operations of the cooperative's agronomy department. This position assists with a wide range of operational and maintenance activities including the handling, blending, delivery, and application of fertilizers, crop protection products, and seed. The technician also helps maintain agronomy equipment, vehicles, and facilities to ensure reliability and operational readiness throughout the growing season. The technician ensures that all operations are conducted in compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards, including DOT, OSHA, and EPA requirements.

This is an entry-level position with opportunities for training and advancement within the cooperative.

Key Responsibilities

1. Operational Support: Assist with blending, mixing, loading, and delivering fertilizers, crop protection products, and seed in accordance with product specifications, labeling requirements, and safety regulations. Ensure accurate measurements, proper documentation, and the integrity of all materials while preventing cross-contamination. Safely operate and maintain tender trucks, sprayers, spreaders, and other agronomy equipment, performing daily inspections, routine maintenance, and minor repairs to ensure readiness and compliance with DOT, OSHA, and cooperative safety standards. Support receiving, storage, and inventory control, including verifying shipments, inspecting for accuracy and quality, and maintaining organized, safe, and clean plant, warehouse, and loading areas. Assist with seasonal operations, including facility and equipment set up, calibration, maintenance, and shutdown procedures. (25%)

2. Equipment & Facility Maintenance: Perform preventative maintenance and minor repairs on agronomy vehicles, equipment, and facilities under the guidance of the Location Manager. Conduct regular inspections to identify wear, damage, or safety concerns, maintaining accurate records and reporting repair needs promptly to minimize downtime. Participate in cooperative-wide maintenance initiatives, facility upgrades, and seasonal projects, following established procedures, lockout/tagout practices, and housekeeping standards to support safety and operational efficiency. (25%)

3. Product Application & Safety: Follow all Northern Partners Cooperative safety, environmental, and operational policies. Properly handle, store, and dispose of fertilizers, chemicals, and hazardous materials in compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and state regulations. Participate in required safety meetings, training, and certification renewals, maintaining up-to-date inspection logs and documentation. Promote a culture of safety by modeling safe work behaviors, identifying and correcting hazards, and reporting unsafe conditions immediately. Obtain and maintain an Illinois Department of Agriculture Operator and Applicator License, and assist in the accurate mixing, loading, and application of crop protection and fertilizer products, following SDS and cooperative protocols. (25%)

4. Customer Service & Teamwork: Provide courteous, professional service to members, customers, coworkers, vendors, and seasonal staff. Coordinate with agronomy operations facilities and Sales teams to ensure efficient deliveries and issue resolution. Represent Northern Partners Cooperative positively, supporting cooperative-wide initiatives and assisting other divisionssuch as grain, energy, and seedduring peak periods or special projects. Contribute to continuous improvement by offering feedback and identifying process enhancements, maintaining a cooperative, team-oriented attitude. (10%)

5. Transportation & Licensing Compliance: Operate cooperative vehicles safely and in compliance with DOT and company regulations. Maintain a valid Class A or B CDL with tanker and hazmat endorsements, adhering to all state and federal transportation and hazardous materials requirements. (10%)

6. Other: Contributes to additional company and team efforts, projects and initiatives as needed. Other duties as assigned. (5%)

Education

• Required High school diploma or equivalent, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, Plant Science, Biology, or a related field is a plus.

Experience

• Preferred Prior agricultural, mechanical, or operations experience preferred but not required; training will be provided.

License/Certification

• Required Valid Driver's License.
• Required - Illinois Pesticide Operator and Applicator License required or must be obtained within 6 months of hire.
• Required CDL with tanker and hazmat endorsements required or must be obtained within 2 years of hire (cooperative may assist with training through the company tuition reimbursement program.)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic understanding of agricultural products, fertilizers, crop protection, and seasonal agronomy operations, is a plus.
• Ability to safely operate, maintain, and perform minor repairs on heavy equipment, including forklifts, tenders, sprayers, and spreaders, is a plus.
• Knowledge of proper chemical handling, storage, transportation, and disposal practices in compliance with DOT, OSHA, EPA, and state regulations, is a plus.
• Proficient in using smartphones, tablets, and computers for inventory tracking, work logging, and accessing SOPs.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills when measuring, blending, loading, and documenting products.
• Capable of following standard operating procedures (SOPs) and maintaining compliance with all safety and environmental regulations.
• Effective interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to interact with coworkers, customers, and vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments, including agronomy, grain, seed, and energy.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills to identify and resolve operational or equipment issues.
• Adaptable to seasonal workload changes, varying weather conditions, and extended work hours during peak periods.
• Ability to operate GPS and precision agriculture tools for field operations and product applications.
• Physically able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. or more, stand for extended periods, and perform labor-intensive tasks outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Commitment to safe work practices, hazard reporting, and promoting a safety-focused culture.
• Willingness to obtain and maintain all required licenses and certifications, including CDL with tanker and hazmat endorsements and pesticide applicator/operator licenses.
• Strong time management and prioritization skills to balance workloads and meet deadlines effectively.

Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors in varying temperatures and weather conditions, including heat, cold, humidity, wind, and precipitation.
• Duties may occur during early mornings, evenings, or extended hours during peak seasonal periods.
• Exposure to agricultural products, including fertilizers, crop protection chemicals, treated seed, and related odors or residues.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when handling chemicals, treated seed, or performing maintenance tasks.
• Exposure to dust, pollen, and airborne particulates from grain, seed, and fertilizer operations.
• Work performed near moving machinery, heavy equipment, and vehicle traffic in plant or field environments.
• Periodic exposure to loud noise from equipment, trucks, or plant operations requiring hearing protection.
• Surfaces may be uneven, wet, muddy, or slippery, increasing risk of slips, trips, and falls.
• May include entry into confined spaces or storage areas, requiring adherence to safety procedures and permits.
• Handling and storage of hazardous materials in compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and state safety regulations.
• Potential exposure to dust, fumes, chemicals, electrical hazards, and agricultural wildlife (insects, rodents, etc.).
• Travel between cooperative locations, customer sites, and fields is required, often on rural or unpaved roads.

Physical Demands and Requirements

Strenuous lifting of 75 # or more:

• Ability to stand, walk, or move continuously for extended periods during plant, warehouse, and field operations.
• Frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, or crouching while operating or maintaining equipment and handling products.
• Regular lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling of items up to 50 lbs.; occasional lifting of up to 100 lbs. with assistance or mechanical aids.
• Ability to climb ladders, steps, and equipment to access tanks, machinery, or elevated platforms safely.
• Manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination to operate tools, controls, and precision equipment for loading, blending, and maintenance tasks.
• Ability to safely operate hand tools, power tools,

Northern Partners Cooperative