Lawn & Ornamental Spray Technician

Lawn & Ornamental Spray Technician

Department: Landscape Maintenance / Plant Health Care
Reports To: Operations Manager / Spray Department Manager
Location: Florida
Position Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Position Summary

The Lawn & Ornamental (L&O) Spray Technician is responsible for inspecting treating and maintaining turfgrass trees shrubs palms and ornamental plant material on assigned properties. The position performs fertilizer herbicide insecticide fungicide and other plant health care applications in accordance with product labels company standards customer specifications and applicable federal state and local regulations.

The Spray Technician is expected to accurately diagnose common turf and ornamental problems select and apply appropriate treatments maintain required application records properly operate and maintain spray equipment and communicate conditions requiring additional attention.

This position requires a strong commitment to safety regulatory compliance environmental stewardship quality workmanship productivity and customer service. NO

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lawn & Ornamental Applications

• Perform scheduled fertilizer herbicide insecticide fungicide and other approved applications to turfgrass trees shrubs palms and ornamental plant material.
• Mix load transport and apply products according to the pesticide label company procedures and applicable regulations.
• Apply products using appropriate equipment including spray trucks ride-on equipment backpack sprayers hand-held equipment granular spreaders and other application equipment.
• Calibrate application equipment to ensure accurate application rates and proper coverage.
• Follow all label requirements regarding application rates target pests personal protective equipment (PPE) restricted-entry requirements environmental precautions and application methods.
• Prevent overspray drift runoff spills and applications to non-target areas.

Inspection & Diagnosis

• Routinely inspect assigned properties for turf and ornamental health.
• Identify common Florida turfgrass ornamental tree and palm pests and disorders.
• Recognize symptoms associated with insects diseases weeds nutrient deficiencies irrigation problems environmental stress and improper cultural practices.
• Identify common Florida weeds and determine appropriate control methods.
• Monitor treated areas and evaluate the effectiveness of previous applications.
• Identify conditions that may require specialized treatment laboratory diagnosis or management review.
• Report significant pest activity disease irrigation deficiencies plant decline or other property concerns to management.

Application Documentation & Compliance

• Complete accurate pesticide and fertilizer application records as required by company policy and applicable regulations.
• Document products used application rates quantities treatment areas date and time of application weather conditions and other required information.
• Maintain required licenses certifications identification and training applicable to assigned duties.
• Follow all pesticide label requirements and applicable Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) EPA and local requirements.
• Maintain required Safety Data Sheets (SDS) product labels and application information as directed.
• Immediately report spills exposure incidents equipment failures or regulatory concerns to management.

Equipment & Vehicle Responsibilities

• Perform daily inspections of assigned spray vehicles and application equipment.
• Maintain pumps hoses reels tanks nozzles spreaders backpacks and other application equipment in clean and safe operating condition.
• Check equipment for leaks and other conditions that could result in improper application or environmental contamination.
• Maintain a clean and organized vehicle and chemical storage area.
• Properly secure chemicals fertilizers and equipment during transportation.
• Report equipment defects and required repairs promptly.
• Maintain accurate inventory and communicate chemical and fertilizer needs to management.

Safety & Environmental Stewardship

• Wear all required PPE when mixing loading handling or applying pesticides and fertilizers.
• Follow pesticide labels SDS requirements company safety policies and emergency procedures.
• Protect people pets wildlife waterways storm drains buildings vehicles and other non-target areas during applications.
• Evaluate weather and site conditions before beginning an application.
• Stop or modify applications when wind rain temperature irrigation site conditions or other factors could result in an unsafe or ineffective application.
• Properly handle and dispose of pesticide containers rinsate spills and other regulated materials.
• Immediately report accidents spills chemical exposure property damage or environmental incidents.

Productivity & Accountability

• Complete assigned routes and scheduled applications within established service intervals and productivity standards.
• Take ownership of the quality and effectiveness of treatments performed on assigned properties.
• Minimize callbacks and retreatments through proper diagnosis product selection calibration application technique and documentation.
• Maintain accurate records of completed and incomplete services.
• Communicate route delays inaccessible properties weather interruptions equipment problems and other obstacles to the supervisor promptly.
• Follow up on identified pest disease weed and plant health issues until the condition is resolved or appropriately escalated.
• Maintain assigned properties at company quality standards and proactively identify conditions that could negatively affect customer satisfaction.

Customer Service

• Represent the company professionally when interacting with customers property managers residents vendors and the public.
• Respond professionally to customer questions regarding applications and observed landscape conditions.
• Do not make unsupported guarantees or recommendations outside the technicians level of training or authorization.
• Communicate significant property conditions and potential service opportunities to the appropriate manager.
• Maintain a professional appearance and conduct while operating company vehicles or working on customer properties.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Previous lawn and ornamental pest control landscape maintenance or plant health care experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of Florida turfgrass ornamental plants weeds insects and common plant diseases preferred.
• Ability to read understand and follow pesticide labels SDS information application instructions and written procedures.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations required for mixing calibration and application rates.
• Ability to operate spray equipment safely and effectively.
• Ability to work independently and manage an assigned route.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation.
• Must possess a valid drivers license and meet company driving requirements.
• Must obtain and maintain all licenses certifications identification cards and training required for the work being performed.

Florida Licensing & Certification

The employee must possess or obtain the Florida credentials required for the specific pesticide and fertilizer applications performed in the position. Required credentials may vary based on the type of property serviced products applied level of supervision and the companys pest control licensing structure.

The employee is responsible for maintaining required continuing education and certifications with assistance from the company as applicable.

Physical Requirements

The employee must be able to:

• Regularly work outdoors in Florida heat humidity sun and changing weather conditions.
• Walk and stand for extended periods on turf slopes landscaped areas and uneven terrain.
• Frequently bend kneel reach push pull and climb in and out of vehicles and equipment.
• Lift and carry approximately 50 pounds.
• Wear required PPE for extended periods.
• Safely handle hoses backpack sprayers spreaders pesticide containers fertilizer bags and related equipment.
• Perform repetitive physical activities associated with pesticide and fertilizer applications.

Work Environment

This position primarily works outdoors and involves exposure to heat humidity rain dust pollen fertilizers pesticides landscape equipment insects and other conditions commonly associated with commercial landscape operations.

Work schedules may be adjusted based on weather seasonal conditions customer requirements application restrictions and operational needs.

Performance Expectations

Successful performance in this position will be measured by:

• Quality and effectiveness of lawn and ornamental treatments
• Accurate diagnosis of turf and ornamental problems
• Compliance with pesticide labels and regulatory requirements
• Application accuracy and equipment calibration
• Completion of assigned routes within required service intervals
• Reduction of preventable callbacks and retreatments
• Accuracy and completeness of application records
• Equipment and vehicle care
• Safety performance
• Customer satisfaction
• Communication and follow-through
• Overall condition of assigned properties