MightyRecruiterThe most effective pesticide handler job description starts with the basic duties of the position. Pesticide handlers work in the landscaping industry and focus on mixing and applying chemicals to keep pests away. Their role goes beyond just insect control; they also apply fertilizer, fungicide and other materials to plants.
There is no need for any type of diploma or educational certificate for this job. Pesticide handlers may have experience in the industry or are trained on the job once hired. Companies may also need to hire pesticide handlers who are licensed by the state.
Many businesses look to hire someone who seeks further advancement in landscaping. Individuals in this role should also be fit enough to maneuver in a variety of physical settings and be skilled with customer service. Look at the pesticide handler job description template below for more help.
Pesticide Handler Job Summary
Do you have a passion for plant life and an appreciation for arbors and nurseries? If this describes you, we are looking for you to join our landscaping team as a pesticide handler. Once hired, you would immediately start training in preparing the chemicals we use to keep our customers’ yards and plants healthy. You would exercise your skills to monitor the condition of trees, flowers, shrubs and grass on our clients’ properties, and apply regular treatments to help with pest control, fungus or disease prevention. If you have been looking for a position in a non-traditional setting that lets you work with nature and get a bit dirty, this may be for you.
Job Responsibilities
- Formulate ingredients for common pest control treatments, fertilizing nutrients and disease-prevention routines for various species of plant life
- Load chemical sprayers with the appropriate amount of treatment ingredients, and ready devices such as backpack spray equipment for customer landscaping appointments
- Operate special spraying devices and manipulate nozzles, hoses and tubes during chemical treatments of lawns and other plants
- Apply pesticide formulas to client lawns, gardens and other landscaping layouts to assist with insect problems and promote healthy growth
- Determine problems with lawns, trees and other plants in a customer’s yard by identifying cases of disease or fungus and developing an appropriate treatment plan
- Monitor insect seasonal activity in the region by observing signs of infestations and reviewing additional outside data about habitat
- Organize inventory of spraying equipment, pesticide chemicals and other lawn care treatments in the company’s office and storage building
- Clean and inspect all chemical pesticide spraying tools to ensure each device meets all required safety and hazardous materials regulations
Job Skills & Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Ability to obtain or possession of a state license for pesticide handling
- Physical stamina and endurance working in extreme temperatures outside
- An understanding of all safe chemical handling regulations
- Capable of delivering top customer service
Preferred:
- One or more years of experience in landscaping
- Completion of a certificate program in pesticide application
Pesticide Handler Job Responsibilities
Each part of your pesticide handler job description matches with a particular section in an applicant’s resume. For the responsibilities section, choose to list activities you want to see in a candidate’s work experience. Focus on the most important and frequent duties to give jobseekers a clear idea of what you expect from them. If these are not distinct in your mind, make sure to speak with the hiring manager or committee for clarity.
The main points to remember are to list each job activity in a bulleted list and to start each item with a strong action verb. The other tips discussed earlier are also important. Writing out pesticide handler job responsibilities that are easy to read and to the point lets jobseekers picture each activity and compare it to their own knowledge and work experience.
To get an idea of what you may want to include in a pesticide handler job description, here are some common duties for that job:
- Keep all parts clean and perform daily quality checks on equipment
- Inspect ground before applying pesticides, looking especially for places where animals may nest or where water collects
- Communicate safety measures to people living or working in the area
- Report improper use of equipment immediately
Pesticide Handler Job Specifications
Your list of pesticide handler job specifications should be brief to prevent overloading jobseekers. A shorter qualifications and skills section means applicants will read it all the way through before deciding whether to apply for your opening. However, length does not correlate to importance, as this part of your pesticide handler job description is crucial.
One main value of this section is that unqualified applicants become less likely to apply, meaning you save time because you have fewer resumes to review. If a jobseeker can’t meet the minimum qualifications, he or she will usually move on to a different posting. On the other hand, candidates who satisfy your criteria will proceed with their applications, giving you a sufficient number of solid contenders for the position.
To keep this section short, see if any of the skills you have included can be combined into a single item. For example, instead of outlining multiple safety practices your applicant should be knowledgeable of, list this as “knowledge of safety practices.” Specific procedures can be covered during the interview.
Here are some skills and specifications you can modify for your pesticide handler job description:
- Deductive reasoning
- Knowledge of safety practices
- Two years of experience with pesticides or four years of experience in landscaping
- High school graduate or GED with two years of relative experience
