Custom Applicator Trainee
About the role
Ready to grow your career with clear advancement opportunities? Join CHS as a Custom Applicator Trainee in Freeman, SD and take the first step toward becoming a Custom Applicator. Within six months, you will obtain your CDL and pesticide applicator license—setting you up for immediate career progression in a vital agricultural role. While working toward these certifications, you’ll gain hands-on experience through general labor responsibilities and learn the full scope of operations across grain, agronomy, and feed to build a strong foundation for your future role. At CHS, you’ll be part of the largest cooperative in the U.S., while making a meaningful impact in your local community. We offer a supportive, safety-focused work environment, excellent benefits, and a pathway to a long-term career with purpose and growth. If you’re looking for more than just a job—if you want to make a difference and build a rewarding future—we want to hear from you. Apply today and grow with CHS!
Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain knowledge of the commodities handled at the location and comply with company policy and government regulations pertaining to commodities.
- Work with customers in a courteous and professional manner.
- Prepare trucks and railcars for loading/unloading, which may require sampling, loosening large nuts, opening hatches, and attaching and/or detaching flexible hoses.
- Load and unload agricultural inputs from railcars and/or trucks using heavy or light duty machinery/equipment. May include bulk and or packaged material.
- Control and monitor all load out functions.
- Understand and operate automated scale/dump systems.
- Conduct and properly record daily, weekly and monthly maintenance tasks including but not limited to lubrication of pumps, valves, and loading arms. Inspect in-use equipment looking for seeps and leaks of process equipment.
- Monitor and maintain quality of inventory (may include blended, bulk or packaged product).
- Deliver products such as fertilizer, chemical, seed, feed and others to customer sites.
- Keep all work areas in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Conduct regular housekeeping duties such as sweeping, shoveling, power washing, scraping and cleaning up spills.
- Complete appropriate record keeping.
- Perform grounds maintenance including snow removal.
- Perform warehouse work including driving loader, loading/unloading inventory, forklift operation, and general maintenance.
- Promptly report any customer complaints, repair or maintenance needs, or safety concerns to supervisor.
- Maintain and promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures, and regulations. Identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct or seek assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions.
- Follow all company policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
- Perform other duties as needed or assigned to ensure facility operates smoothly and customers receive excellent customer service.
Requirements
- Must meet minimum age requirement
- 1+ years of experience in Operations and/or Business Operations
Qualifications
- Ability to operate machinery such as loaders, conveyors, tractors, and track mobile
- Ability to work extended hours during peak seasons to meet business demands
- High School diploma or GED preferred
- CDL license or ability to attain one with Hazmat endorsement preferred
- Agriculture experience preferred
- Pre-employment screening is based on the job requirements and industry guidelines and may or may not