Intern - Crop Technician

About the role

Crop Technician Interns perform various crop diagnostic jobs throughout the growing season. These activities include but are not limited to scouting fields, collecting tissue samples, soil moisture probing, soil sampling, performing UAV flights, and assisting with field signs. Crop Technician Interns play an important role in the services offered by Keystone Cooperative to make timely, informed, and economic decisions.

Responsibilities

• Scouting: Create scouting reports that identify weeds, insects, diseases, growth stages, stand counts, and any other field anomalies; report observations back to Ag Tech team.
• UAV Flights: Utilize drones to make aerial observations, produce imagery, and collect data.
• Tissue Sampling: Collect corn or soybean tissue and prepare for testing.
• Soil Moisture Probing: Perform soil moisture tests in designated fields and report data back to Ag Tech team; install moisture monitoring equipment used to make watering recommendations on irrigated fields.
• Soil Sampling: Collect soil nitrate samples to monitor in‑season nutrient availability.
• Field Signs: Organize, place, and remove field signs.

Schedule

• 100% travel within territory.
• 75% of time spent in fields, 25% in training, tours, and events.
• Flexible work schedule.
• Weekly professional development activities.

Skills

• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods and in all weather conditions.
• Above‑average organizational skills; ability to understand new concepts and learn quickly.
• Self‑motivated; able to complete work with little or no supervision in a timely manner.
• Ability to use an iPad, GPS software, and field equipment.

Qualifications

• Agronomy students preferred; any student with genuine interest in agricultural/agronomy field considered.
• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and reliable vehicle.

Benefits

• Mileage reimbursement following IRS standard rate.
• Drone license education and exam fee reimbursement.
• Incentives/awards for interns who complete the internship.

Pay

Hourly (competitive wage).