Now Hiring - Northeast Horticultural Services - Lawn Application Technician in Bridgeport, CT

Full description of the position

Lawn Care Technician : Performs regular scheduled lawn applications and spot treats for localized turf problems. Monitor, diagnose, and treat insect, disease, weed, and other conditions in clients' lawns, and effectively communicates observations to appropriate account manager. * Must have valid driver's license * Ability to obtain and maintain Connecticut operator's pesticide license * Must be able to read and understand pesticide labels, as well as correctly identify, mix, load and apply pesticides and fertilizers * Strong knowledge of turfgrass types, weed identification, diagnosis or insect and diseases in clients' turf * Must have a strong understanding of organic land care practices and how they influence the lawn care approach and execution. * Work outdoors under varying and sometimes adverse weather conditions * Ability to comfortably lift and carry 60 lbs. * Possess professionalism- assuring customer service, respect and satisfaction * Demonstrates excellent attention to detail and communication skills * Must be able to perform moderately strenuous tasks while wearing a respirator * Ability to check irrigation systems and set irrigation clocks as needed seasonally for optimum turf performance. * Ability to obtain and maintain first-aid certification * Degree in Turf Management or Horticulture preferred, but not mandatory * Ideal candidate has 2-3 years of experience in professional turf care Responsibilities : * Load and unload required equipment and materials: Lesco spreader, 5-gallon pesticide containers, 50lbs fertilizer bags, etc.; may have to drag up to 300 feet of spray hose. * Correctly and safely operate a Lesco spreader, backpack sprayer, hand sprayer and all other related equipment * Communicate with account managers daily, before and after route completion. * Keep a running accurate log of all pesticides used * Correctly fill out all job sheets and return them to the office manager for billing * Keeps work area, storage area, and truck clean and orderly. * Drives or operates trucks and other equipment safely and as assigned * Services trucks and equipment; keeps truck and other assigned equipment in a neat and orderly fashion; reports need for repairs to truck and equipment to supervisor. Completes daily pre/post trip inspections. Keeps all job-related equipment in clean, working order. * Safeguards employees and public from hazards in and around the work area * Helps enforce on-the-job safety practices Chemical/Application Knowledge : * Reads and understands purpose for chemical application * Reads labels and understands approved method for handling, storage, loading and mixing chemicals * Keeps up-to-date on latest revisions with EPA or Dept. of Agriculture in local jurisdiction * Knows current company policy * Knowledgeable of and proficient in technique to apply the following types of chemicals: o Pre-emergent/bare ground and planted areas o Post-emergent/bare ground and planted areas o Insect/disease control o Weed control (pre- and post-) in turf * Assures that tank labeling is accurate and labeling is changed as chemical mixes are changed * Surveys area prior to spraying to determine that: o Chemical request meets current job needs o Chemical rate requested is within standards for work to be performed o Awareness of obstacles, water hazards, job conditions, people in the same area or any other adverse conditions that should be investigated before any chemicals are dispensed o Determines boundaries and scope of area to be sprayed and mixes only enough chemicals to complete the assigned job * Surveys spray equipment for any leaks, bubbles in spray hose, contaminants on the bed of the truck or any other deficiency that may cause injury to operator, the public or damage to the client's or neighboring properties * Knows how to use and transport materials and chemicals to avoid waste, loss and hazards Client Relations : * Is aware of and follows company guidelines on service management * When approached by client or tenant on a project, acts in a cooperative manner to help answer any questions that pertain to the chemical application at that specific location * Refers any other client inquiry to job supervisor Quality Control : * Insures cleanliness of chemical vehicles before leaving yard to avoid any unintentional contamination at field site * Follows up to insure that the chemical application has met the intended purpose. If application does not meet standard, investigates to identify cause Documentation of Work: * Maintains daily log of work performed, chemical materials used, location and wind conditions, application technique used, total gallons used, disposal of leftover material, originator of request and other comments * Maintains timecard daily * Completes and turns in all spray work request forms daily Equipment Maintenance: * Starts equipment before leaving the yard to test for problems * Changes oil in spray engine seasonally * Checks oil level after every fueling * Washes truck weekly in yard * Maintains clean and neat chemical storage area * Follows company policy on truck maintenance, daily checks and monthly truck inspection reports * Advises supervisor immediately of any mechanical deficiencies * Understands cleaning and decontamination of spray equipment and safety gear Safety: * Checks three times a day all areas of spray vehicle for possible leads or safety violations * Knows and follows all applicable company safety rules * Reports any incidents to immediate supervisor within 30 minutes of occurrence * Keeps supervisor informed daily of any schedule changes that would alter operator's location by more than one hour * Maintains and prominently displays map of nearest medical facility * Knows actions to follow to contain a chemical lead or chemical spill * Maintains and updates MSDS sheets as required by law (located in office) * Does not leave vehicle unattended unless all is secured * Does not operate in certain adverse weather conditions * Does not load, mix or apply chemicals if public is within 50 feet of work area Job Type: Full-time Pay: From $18.00 per hour Expected hours: No more than 25 per week Experience: * Landscape maintenance: 1 year (Required) License/Certification: * Driver's License (Required) Work Location: On the road