Innovative Ag Services - Agriculture Experience Program:

Program Summary

The IAS Agriculture Experience Program is a work experience program that provides participants with the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop skills and work habits within the agriculture industry; increasing the potential for future employment success when they are ready to look for permanent placement. Participants are given the opportunity to experience real-world, on-the-job training, to help them gain hands-on experience in the field of agriculture.

Benefits:

• Gain knowledge and practical skill
• Get a complete understanding and first-hand look at how a cooperative operates
• Meet influential people and solidify customer relationships
• Potential future job offers

IAS is looking for candidates who are enthusiastic about acquiring experience within the agriculture industry in the following areas: Operations, Transportation or Location Customer Service, at a variety of locations. Ideal candidates are typically current student professionals, or high school students, who are interested in studying within in an agricultural program and looking to gain entry-level work experience within the industry. Must be at least 18 years of age or older to apply and be considered. The duration of the program will be from mid-March 2025 through June 2025.

Job Descriptions

Innovative Ag Services offers experience within the following departments below.

Customer Service – Provides customer service and accurate accounting functions at the location for the benefit of IAS and its member owners.

Major Accountabilities: The following duties are typical for this job.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Conduct counter sales and process incoming calls in a friendly, courteous manner.
• Conduct weighing of grain and farm supply products; grading of incoming grain.
• Assist in the processing of daily location grain tickets when needed.
• Communication of grain transactions and transportation needs.
• Inventory control, physical count and accurate billing.

Operations – Providing daily location operations support in an efficient and safe manner including, but not limited to, unloading and loading grain trucks, working with grain bins, filling ammonia tanks and fertilizer trucks.

Major Accountabilities: The following duties are typical for this job.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities as assigned.
• Assist and follow preventative maintenance activities and record.
• Assist with the distribution of farm supply products and grain when assigned.
• Follow company policies and procedures regarding safety and conduct.
• Create a positive, professional image to customers and community.
• Ideal candidates will need to be able to work independently on many projects at once, while ensuring accuracy as top priority. 
• Candidates must be comfortable with heights and climbing on occassion.

Transportation – Provides safe and efficient transportation of commodities and farm supply products for the benefit of IAS and its member owners.

Major Accountabilities: The following duties are typical for this job.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.

• Must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to obtain additional proper licensure to haul for IAS (example – Class A or Seasonal CDL license).
• Haul agronomy products from fertilizer plant to the farm.

• Operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities as assigned.
• Assist and follow preventative maintenance activities and record.

• Follow company policies and procedures regarding safety and conduct.
• Create a positive, professional image to customers and community.

Additional Requirements and Preferred Abilities for All Positions

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments efficiently.
• Ability to organize, deal with change effectively, and work on multiple tasks concurrently.
• Basic computer skills.
• Strong people skills, good phone etiquette, follows directions, meets deadlines.
• Ideal candidates are typically current student professionals, or high school students who are interested in studying within in an agricultural program and looking to gain entry-level work experience within the industry.

Physical Requirements/Environmental Adaptability:

• Requires static strength to occasionally lift, push, pull, or carry objects with a minimum weight of 50 pounds. Flexibility to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.   Also, trunk strength and ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time.  Some tasks involve repetitive motion.
• Agricultural Environment – Possible exposure to seasonal weather, outdoor conditions, and agriculture products.
• Personal Protective Equipment may be required for some tasks.

Additional Requirements and Timelines:

• Must be at least 18 years of age to apply and be considered.
• Completion of Drug Screen and Background Check prior to hire.
• Program duration: mid-September to the end of November.
• Hours worked will fluctuate with seasonal demands.
• This program has the opportunity to fulfill internship or work experience requirements.

Innovative Ag Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer