JOB SUMMARY:  The Spray Supervisor plays a critical role in the success of our crops. Attention to details, timeliness, a sense of urgency, and good communication are required characteristics of the Spray Supervisor. Directed by the Operations Manager, this is a “hands on” position that requires getting the job done, as well as planning, organizing, scheduling, communicating, and coordinating pesticide spray applications, fumigation, chemigation, and fertilizer applications according to the highest standards that satisfy state and federal compliance and regulation. The spray supervisor is the leader of the spray crew, which includes employees and equipment. The Spray Supervisor has a “safety-first” attitude and would never take actions that could jeopardize the welfare of our employees or our crops. This position requires passing the Pesticide Applicators Certificate test at the county office and staying current on pest control laws and regulations. Additionally, the Spray Supervisor will work closely with Managers, Supervisors, and Pest Control Advisors to monitor, document, report, and manage potential pests and diseases that can threaten our crops. The Spray Supervisor will spend time walking the fields, boots on the ground, scouting for pests and diseases, weeds, and vertebrates, and reporting back in a timely manner, as well as overseeing various material trials and experiments.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervises crew activities related to chemical, fertilizer, and irrigation applications and record keeping.
• Maintains consistent communication with the Management Team to ensure clarity of intent and clarity of desired outcomes. Reads, interprets, and translates chemical labels to spray operators as needed. Monitors and oversees spray applications to ensure safety and accuracy.
• Plans and coordinates pre-operation set-up tasks with Farm Manager and Field Supervisors to ensure complete understanding of crops to be sprayed, labor requirements and chemical availability. Ensures all personal protective equipment (PPE), clothing/rain gear, eye safety, eyewash and chemical decontamination are in proper working order. Maintains inventory of needed PPE.
• Ensures and tracks “Fit testing” for each crew member and maintains accurate records.
• Inspects equipment to ensure proper functioning. Verifies operator knowledge of tasks and specifics of the operating and loading procedures. Provides appropriate training and education on the safe use and operation of equipment and spraying techniques. Ensures that each operator has appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment). Reviews safety protocols with applicators before work begins.
• Starts motors and engages machinery, such as sprayers, agitators, pumps or portable spray equipment. Verifies that the equipment is maintained, operating properly, and safely. Operates a truck, and power or hand equipment such as, but not limited to: tractors, backhoes, forklifts and trailers; for the application of pesticides to control or eradicate weeds and other pests.
• Receives, stores, selects, mixes, packages, prepares, and applies pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides according to label directions. Ensures proper placards are applied and visible on chemical storage containers.
• Calibrates sprayers and chemical application equipment as needed and when requested by management. Fills sprayer with water and chemicals according to formulas, using safe practices. Applies onto crops at recommended rates.
• Covers areas to specified application rates with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, drift, and obstructions.
• Records information as required. Keeps accurate records of employee time, equipment usage, routine maintenance, and fuel usage. Maintains records on chemical application activities in compliance with regulations. Ensures Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are current for all inventory materials. 
• Review, investigate, and confirm employee work hours and tasks reported to payroll, a liaison between the field personnel and office staff.
• Computer work including data entry, calculations, spreadsheets, and emails.
• Maintains work area, chemical storage area, and equipment in a condition that promotes good safety practices.
• Responsible for proper field postings during chemical spray use; time of application; re-entry period; chemical used.
• Responsible for regular field scouting; insect, weed, and disease monitoring/diagnostics. Reporting every week in writing using spreadsheets, apps, and emails all findings to Management Team. This includes training field scout teams that report back to you.
• Maintains all company vehicles, trucks, tractors, equipment, and tools used in chemical application.
• Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences to improve knowledge of all aspects of agricultural spraying operations pertaining to; chemicals, equipment, application technology, and compliance regulations, including but not limited to herbicides, insecticides, fumigants, bio controls, and all relevant forms of IPM measures.
• Assists with field tasks including but not limited to: equipment operations, field preparations, mowing, planting, digging, pruning and other pre-and post-harvest tasks.
• Emphasizes safety, training, and regulatory compliance.
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Five (5) years of chemical application experience.
• Knowledge and skill in applying chemical, fertilizer and irrigation applications.
• Knowledge and skill in supervising applicators of chemical, fertilizer and irrigation.
• Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel training.
• Knowledge of production processes, quality control, and costs for maximizing crop output.
• Knowledge of farm equipment and machinery and the ability to operate and to effectively train others in the safe operation of such.
• Skill in the application of chemicals and fertilizers including an awareness of coverage requirements, weather conditions, and obstructions that prevent acceptable application of the chemicals and/or fertilizers.
• Skill and ability to evaluate systems – identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance.
• Skill and ability to communicate and provide information to supervisors, peers, or subordinates.
• Skill and ability to work independently using effective time management and organizational skills.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's Degree in Plant or Soil Science related field. Valid California State Driver's License required. Able to obtain a Qualified Applicator License. Respirator Fit Test required. Available to travel to different locations throughout California.