Grain Elevator Operations - Intern

Summary:

Gain hands-on experience in the daily operations of receiving, loading, and delivering a variety of commodities such as grain, fertilizer, chemicals, seed, feed, and petroleum products. You will assist with facility upkeep and routine maintenance while supporting operational tasks under supervision. This internship offers valuable exposure to agricultural supply chain management and facility operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist in receiving and properly storing commodities and products at the facility.
• Help load customer and company trucks/trailers using equipment such as forklifts and end loaders.
• Support scale operation and accurate record-keeping of inventory.
• Aid in routine maintenance and housekeeping of elevators, warehouses, mills, and shops.
• Participate in grain handling tasks including trailer preparation, loading, and quality monitoring.
• Support rail and marine/barge loading and unloading activities, maintaining detailed logs.
• Assist in mixing and loading fertilizer, chemicals, and seed products in the agronomy department.
• Perform cleaning and general housekeeping tasks during slower seasonal periods.
• Maintain safety standards and follow all facility policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management to support operations.

Qualifications:

• Interest in agricultural operations, logistics, or supply chain management is a plus.
• Ability to follow instructions, work safely, and handle physical tasks including lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Valid driver’s license preferred (not always required for internship).
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and a physically demanding environment.

Competencies:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Customer Service – Responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
• Leadership - Accepts feedback from others.
• Professionalism – Professional appearance and telephone manner is essential.
• Cost Consciousness - Contributes to profits and revenue.
• Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction.
• Quantity - Completes work in timely manner.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures

Education and/or Experience:

Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year College or technical school; or Bachelor's Degree in an agricultural related field or working towards a Bachelor's Degree.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook and the internet.

Certificates and Licenses:

Must maintain a valid driver’s license and commercial insurability at all times.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to work near moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The duties of the job also require travel within the Heartland Co-op trade area on an occasional basis.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk, hear, taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Employee is exposed to long seasonal work hours.

PCP Level: 3

Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time. 
• Dependability - Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals.
• Quantity - Meets productivity standards.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Uses equipment and materials properly.                              

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/Experience:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED); or one to three months related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language Ability:

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.  Ability to write simple correspondence.  Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, and other employees of the organization.

Math Ability:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills:

No Computer skills needed. 

Certificates and Licenses:

May be required to maintain a current weighing license and grain grading certificate.  Must maintain a valid driver’s license and commercial insurability at all times.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.