Custom Applicator | Kirkwood Community College

Skills & Competencies

Skills developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET via SOC 37-3012.00

Skills

Active ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingTime ManagementReading ComprehensionSocial PerceptivenessJudgment and Decision MakingOperations Monitoring

Knowledge

Customer and Personal ServiceBiologyProduction and ProcessingEnglish LanguageAdministration and Management

Abilities

Near VisionArm-Hand SteadinessControl PrecisionOral ComprehensionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningSpeech RecognitionWritten ComprehensionOral ExpressionManual Dexterity

Tasks

Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crop
Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.
Establish driving routes for pesticide applications.
Record information about pesticide applications, such as the type used and amount applied.
Use new technology and equipment, such as drones or GPS systems, to apply pesticides more accurately and efficiently.

Technology

Data base user interface and query softwareWeb page creation and editing softwareGeographic information systemOperating system softwareInventory management software

Tools

Air purifying respiratorsBackpack sprayersBoom sprayersBroadcast boom sprayersChemical protection glovesChemical-resistant footwearChemical-resistant suitsCold foggersDigital flowmetersDigital stopwatchesElectrostatic spray gunsFace masksHandheld pump sprayersLaptop computersMeasuring containers

Work Values

SupportIndependenceWorking ConditionsRelationshipsAchievementRecognition

Career Pathways

Occupations this program prepares you for

Auto-populatedfrom O*NET + BLS

Occupations matched to this program, with median wage, top wage, growth, and openings
SOC	Occupation	Method	Wage	Growth	Openings
Match confidence: medium37-3012.00	Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation	title_inference	—	—	—

Program Pathways

Credentials this program stacks toward

No program pathways.

What You'll Learn

Key competencies developed through this program

Auto-populatedfrom NSX Competency Framework

Mastery: developing (Level 2)(based on Certificate)

Pesticide and herbicide mixtures — prepare independently according to product formulas, adjusting concentrations for different target vegetation types on routine commercial accounts.
Sprayer tank volumes — calculate fill quantities for multiple chemical combinations using known dilution ratios without requiring supervisor verification on each batch.
Nozzle and hose configurations — select appropriate tip sizes and connection types based on terrain slope, infestation pattern, and required distribution spread on familiar job sites.
Lawn and plant diseases — identify common fungal, insect, or weed conditions and determine a standard treatment plan with minimal guidance from a lead applicator.
Application depth and coverage — adjust spray velocity and equipment elevation to meet specified coverage targets, incorporating known droplet size data and site obstructions.
Portable spray equipment — operate and monitor pump pressure and agitator function throughout a treatment cycle, correcting minor irregularities without stopping work.
Sprayer machinery — perform routine cleaning and lubrication using water, gasoline, and hand tools on a regular maintenance schedule to sustain operating efficiency.
Time management — sequence multiple treatment stops within a daily route to meet scheduled service windows for residential and commercial clients.
Customer interaction — communicate treatment plans, re-entry intervals, and safety precautions clearly to property owners or facility managers at the job site.
Inventory tracking — record chemical stock usage in paper or digital logs and flag reorder needs to ensure uninterrupted supply for upcoming treatment days.

Program Details

Detailed information about this program

No detailed information available.

Requirements

What you need to earn this credential

No requirements listed.

Financial Aid

Eligible funding programs

No funding information available.

Scholarships

No scholarships listed.