Job Title: Associate Agronomist

Department: Crop Services

Reports To: Territory Lead

Report Location: Mason City, Iowa

Since 1975, ServiTech, Inc. has relied on the most current technologies, research, and science to make productive and profitable recommendations for thousands of growers on millions of acres. Three ServiTech laboratory facilities compliment industry agronomic services to measure fertility, tailor field inputs and increase yields.

As the global population increases, the need for more efficient food production systems also grows. ServiTech actively pursues new technologies to ensure that our recommendations and services are making farming operations more productive, more efficient, and more sustainable. The Associate Agronomist will effectively employ all available resources and technology to provide customers with the excellence of agronomic information and service generated by ServiTech, Inc.

SUMMARY

The Associate Agronomist will spend their time supporting Agronomists’ activities, learning processes, building agronomic knowledge, working with growers, and developing their recommendation skills. This position requires an understanding of, and passion for, Agronomy, a desire to learn about ServiTech’s services, and the ability to communicate recommendations that show value to the grower.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for building a customer base and maintaining a profitable book of existing business.
• Requires excellent communication skills, relationship-building, and customer service skills to be successful; frequent follow-up is expected of clients and regular status updates are required for management.
• May be assigned business from other Agronomists as needed to balance workloads.
• Travels to contracted fields to survey, analyze, and report any production problems and to include recommendations or prescriptions to resolve said issues.
• Works towards the successful completion of the Certified Crop Advisor or have the documented equivalent experience, and/or complete continuing education units as necessary.
• Participates in mandatory training and mentoring opportunities.
• Manages their assigned business by first providing excellent service and managing growers’ accounts and then working to expand the customer base.
• These everyday functions are successfully fulfilled by a leader with a professional image who proactively takes responsibility, problem solves, and has the business acumen to manage the financial portion of the Agronomy book of business he or she is assigned.
• The ServiTech Crop Services team has a goal of serving customers and providing excellent service, and Crop Specialists/Agronomist will be expected to perform all duties as assigned by the Territory Leader.

TRAVEL

Must be able to travel as needed. Travel up to 25% (Seasonal). Travel includes up to ten hours per day and overnight as necessary.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands, read, talk and/or hear.  Ability to safely operate ATV's. Perform soil sampling duties accurately using a hand probe.  The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, drive, and operate a computer for long periods of time. The employee is frequently required to walk; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Physically this position demands that an employee both sit or stand for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus including regular use of a computer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must understand and implement all related safety policies, procedures, and programs for prevention and protection while performing job duties in various work environments. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate to loud. The ability to work around various odors including manure and the ability to work with hazardous and caustic chemicals. Based on the farmers’ needs and therefore fluctuates as far as hours worked during peak seasons which include long days, weeks, and months as needed. Willing to work weekends, holidays and long hours as required. Comfortable working in all weather conditions, cold, snow, rain, wind, sun etc.

Benefits:

Vehicle for business use.  Company supplied ATV, cell phone and internet monthly reimbursement.  Competitive salary, health/dental insurance, pension, 401K, Paid time off.  

DISCLAIMER:

This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected. It is not designed to cover every activity, duty, or responsibility required of the employee.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Remarkable teamwork, customer service, and organizational skills including the ability to manage difficult or emotional situations, meet commitments, and respond promptly to customer needs, resolve questions, complaints, and concerns immediately.
• The ability to ethically analyze data and report results with integrity.
• The ability to focus, pay attention to details, monitor work for accuracy, and execute repetitive motions.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• The ability to be flexible, manage change and meet deadlines.
• Prompt and regular attendance.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Associate degree in agriculture or related major; or a bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related major and three years of agriculture experience in a similar position or related field is preferred. Agricultural knowledge and experience are preferred. Education in a science and/or agricultural related area of study is preferred. Experience using MS Office suite of products is required. Proficient computer operation skills and the ability to learn various software programs.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

A valid driver’s license with a safe driving record to operate a company vehicle and the ability to travel for hours at a time.

A Certified Crop Advisor designation is preferred, but not required.

COMPUTER SKILLS

The individual should be proficient in their use of a personal computer and must be able to perform tasks using Windows-based software, knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Drive, Docs, Sheets.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, governmental regulations, safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, employees, clients, customers, and the general public. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Critical thinking/analytical, problem solving, and conflict management skills.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, proportions, and percentages and to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems with several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must be able to think quickly and perform a mental assessment of workplace hazards and take appropriate precautions.