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Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation - 37-3012.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Mix or apply pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or insecticides through sprays, dusts, vapors, soil incorporation, or chemical application on trees, shrubs, lawns, or crops. Usually requires specific training and state or federal certification.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Chemical Applicator
  • Integrated Pest Management Technician (IPM Technician)
  • Lawn Specialist
  • Lawn Technician
  • Licensed Pesticide Applicator
  • Pest Control Technician
  • Pesticide Applicator
  • Spray Applicator
  • Spray Technician
  • Tree and Shrub Technician

SOC Occupation Groups

37-0000 Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
37-3000 Grounds Maintenance Workers
37-3010 Grounds Maintenance Workers
37-3012.00 Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Clean or service machinery to ensure operating efficiency, using water, gasoline, lubricants, or hand tools.
  • Connect hoses and nozzles selected according to terrain, distribution pattern requirements, types of infestations, and velocities.
  • Cover areas to specified depths with pesticides, applying knowledge of weather conditions, droplet sizes, elevation-to-distance ratios, and obstructions.
  • Fill sprayer tanks with water and chemicals, according to formulas.
  • Identify lawn or plant diseases to determine the appropriate course of treatment.
  • Lift, push, and swing nozzles, hoses, and tubes to direct spray over designated areas.
  • Mix pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides for application to trees, shrubs, lawns, or botanical crops.
  • Plant grass with seed spreaders, and operate straw blowers to cover seeded areas with mixtures of asphalt and straw.
  • Provide driving instructions to truck drivers to ensure complete coverage of designated areas, using hand and horn signals.
  • Start motors and engage machinery, such as sprayer agitators or pumps or portable spray equipment.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Clean equipment or supplies.
  • Inspect landscaping to determine treatment needs.
  • Instruct staff in work policies or procedures.
  • Maintain equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Operate grounds maintenance equipment.
  • Plant greenery to improve landscape appearance.
  • Prepare chemicals for work application.
  • Treat greenery or surfaces with protective substances.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Infrastructure Systems Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pest Management (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pest Management Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pest Management Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pest Management Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pest Management Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Preventive Medicine Technician (Navy - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Agricultural Service Worker

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Agricultural Service Worker
  • Hydro-Sprayer Operator
  • Sprayer, Hand
  • Weed Inspector