Agronomy Specialist

🌱 Plant Your Career Here — We're Hiring in Tonica, IL!

Northern Partners Cooperative is actively seeking a dependable and driven Agronomy Specialist to join our team at our Tonica, IL Agronomy Facility. If you're hands-on, safety-focused, and thrive in a fast-paced agricultural environment, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while growing your career.

Position Overview:

The Agronomy Specialist supports daily agronomy operations with a primary focus on safely handling, organizing, and distributing crop protection products, fertilizers, and other agronomic inputs within the cooperative’s chemical shed. Key responsibilities include accurate inventory management, preparing product loads, maintaining a clean and compliant facility, and providing excellent service to internal and external customers.

This position also 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 specialist contributes to the upkeep of agronomy equipment, vehicles, and facilities to ensure operational readiness throughout the season. All work must be performed in accordance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards, including DOT, OSHA, EPA, and state requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Chemical Handling & Product Preparation: Safely receive, inspect, store, and organize chemical and fertilizer products in the chemical shed, ensuring proper labeling, containment, and segregation. Follow OSHA, EPA, DOT, and Illinois Department of Agriculture regulations and cooperative safety protocols when handling, storing, or transporting agricultural chemicals. Accurately measure, mix, or prepare crop protection products and fertilizers according to labels, custom applicator requests, and grower orders, ensuring precise formulation and documentation. Assist with blending dry and liquid fertilizers and loading tender trucks, spreaders, and applicators with correct products and quantities. Maintain clean, organized work areas, properly dispose of chemical waste, promptly address spills, and document all handling activities. Support custom applicators and internal staff by staging products and providing operational assistance while adhering to all safety protocols. (25%)

2. Inventory Management & Documentation: Perform daily inventory counts of chemicals, fertilizers, seed, and other agronomy products, ensuring accurate stock levels and proper storage. Track product movement within the chemical shed and across cooperative facilities, maintaining precise records of receipts, transfers, and deliveries. Utilize cooperative software to document product usage, load preparation, deliveries, and inventory adjustments. Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies promptly, coordinating with supervisors and other departments. Support cooperative-wide inventory initiatives, including cycle counts, audits, and seasonal reconciliations. Assist in implementing best practices for product storage, labeling, and handling to minimize waste and prevent cross-contamination, while ensuring regulatory and safety compliance. Collaborate with agronomy operations, maintenance staff, and other departments to streamline inventory processes and improve reporting accuracy. (25%)

3. Facility Safety, Compliance & Housekeeping: Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant chemical shed, ensuring products are stored according to label instructions, regulatory guidelines, and cooperative standards. Enforce proper labeling, secondary containment, segregation of chemicals, and consistent PPE use, including gloves, respirators, goggles, and protective clothing. Implement spill-prevention practices, containment, cleanup, and incident reporting. Conduct daily and periodic safety inspections of the facility, equipment, and workspaces, maintaining compliance with OSHA, EPA, DOT, and Illinois Department of Agriculture regulations. Participate in required safety, environmental, and operational training, including hazard communication, chemical handling, and emergency response. Document safety checks, training, incidents, and maintenance activities, and perform regular housekeeping of floors, equipment, storage areas, and loading zones to maintain a safe environment. (25%)

4. Customer Service & Teamwork: Provide courteous, professional, and timely service to internal staff, cooperative members, customers, and vendor drivers, promoting the cooperative’s values. Assist custom applicators with load preparation, staging equipment, verifying quantities, and operational support. Collaborate with agronomy operations & maintenance technicians to support equipment upkeep, facility maintenance, and product transfers. Assist other cooperative departments—including grain, energy, seed, and general operations—during peak seasons, special projects, or cross-location activities. Communicate effectively to coordinate workflows, resolve issues, and maintain operational efficiency. Contribute to a team-oriented environment by sharing knowledge, assisting with training, and fostering a culture of cooperation and safety. Document customer interactions, product usage, and operational activities to support traceability and compliance. (10%)

5. Transportation & Licensing Compliance: Safely operate cooperative vehicles, including trucks, tender trucks, and other assigned equipment, in accordance with DOT regulations, company policies, and safety standards. Obtain and maintain a valid Class A CDL with Tanker and Hazmat endorsements and all required Illinois Department of Agriculture licenses, including pesticide operator and applicator certifications. Operate forklifts, loaders, skid steers, and other equipment safely within training and licensing limits. Conduct pre-trip and post-trip vehicle inspections, report issues promptly, and perform basic preventative maintenance to maintain operational readiness. Ensure all transportation, loading, and delivery activities are documented accurately to support safety and compliance. (10%)

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

Education & Experience

• 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.
• 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.
• Basic mathematical skills, including weighing, measuring, calculating product volumes or concentrations, converting units, and performing accurate recordkeeping for chemical applications and fertilizer blends.
• 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 & Physical Demands - Strenuous physical exertion

Occasionally exposed or required to:

• 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.
• 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, and heavy machinery.
• Ability to operate forklifts, skid steers, loaders, and other equipment safely.
• Visual acuity and depth perception sufficient to read labels, instructions, and digital displays and to perform detailed work accurately.
• Hearing ability adequate to communicate effectively in person and via radios, alarms, or headsets in noisy environments.
• Ability to wear and use required personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves, respirators, hearing protection, and protective clothing.
• Physical stamina to perform repetitive tasks and sustain productivity in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to maintain balance and stability while working on uneven, slippery, or rough surfaces.
• Capacity to detect and identify odors associated with agricultural products and chemicals when required for safety.
• Ability to enter, exit, and maneuver safely around vehicles, confined spaces, storage areas, and field environments.
• Willingness and ability to work in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, wind, and humidity.
• Tolerance for exposure to dust, chemicals, and agricultural particulates with appropriate safety measures.
• Ability to work extended hours, weekends, holidays, and alternate shifts during seasonal or peak operations.