H-2A Visa Trainee Jobs
Trainee jobs with H-2A visa sponsorship place you inside U.S. agricultural operations learning hands-on production, equipment handling, and crop management under direct supervision. Employers must provide free housing and transportation, pay the Adverse Effect Wage Rate, and demonstrate no qualified domestic workers are available for the role.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States that provides grain, food and energy resources to businesses and consumers around the world. We serve agriculture customers and consumers across the United States and around the world. Most of our employees are in the United States, but today we have employees in 19 countries. At CHS, we are creating connections to empower agriculture.
Summary
Ready to grow your career with clear advancement opportunities? Join CHS as a Custom Applicator Trainee in Freeman, SD and take the first step toward becoming a Custom Applicator. Within six months, you will obtain your CDL and pesticide applicator license—setting you up for immediate career progression in a vital agricultural role. While working toward these certifications, you’ll gain hands-on experience through general labor responsibilities and learn the full scope of operations across grain, agronomy, and feed to build a strong foundation for your future role. At CHS, you’ll be part of the largest cooperative in the U.S., while making a meaningful impact in your local community. We offer a supportive, safety-focused work environment, excellent benefits, and a pathway to a long-term career with purpose and growth.
If you’re looking for more than just a job—if you want to make a difference and build a rewarding future—we want to hear from you. Apply today and grow with CHS!
Responsibilities
Under general supervision, carry out general labor responsibilities promptly and efficiently. Responsibilities may include:
- Develop and maintain knowledge of the commodities handled at the location and comply with company policy and government regulations pertaining to commodities.
- Work with customers in a courteous and professional manner.
- Prepare trucks and railcars for loading/unloading, which may require sampling, loosening large nuts, opening hatches, and attaching and/or detaching flexible hoses.
- Load and unload agricultural inputs from railcars and/or trucks using heavy or light duty machinery/equipment. May include bulk and or packaged material.
- Control and monitor all load out functions.
- Understand and operate automated scale/dump systems.
- Conduct and properly record daily, weekly and monthly maintenance tasks including but not limited to lubrication of pumps, valves, and loading arms. Inspect in-use equipment looking for seeps and leaks of process equipment.
- Monitor and maintain quality of inventory (may include blended, bulk or packaged product).
- Deliver products such as fertilizer, chemical, seed, feed and others to customer sites.
- Keep all work areas in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Conduct regular housekeeping duties such as sweeping, shoveling, power washing, scraping and cleaning up spills. Complete appropriate record keeping.
- Perform grounds maintenance including snow removal.
- Perform warehouse work including driving loader, loading/unloading inventory, forklift operation, and general maintenance.
- Promptly report any customer complaints, repair or maintenance needs, or safety concerns to supervisor.
- Maintain and promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures, and regulations. Identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct or seek assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions.
- Follow all company policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
- Perform other duties as needed or assigned to ensure facility operates smoothly and customers receive excellent customer service.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Must meet minimum age requirement
- 1+ years of experience in Operations and/or Business Operations
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to operate machinery such as loaders, conveyors, tractors, and track mobile
- Ability to work extended hours during peak seasons to meet business demands
- High School diploma or GED preferred
- CDL license or ability to attain one with Hazmat endorsement preferred
- Agriculture experience preferred
- Pre-employment screening is based on the job requirements and industry guidelines and may or may not be required for the position. If required, selected candidates must pass pre-employment screenings to include all or a combination of drug, criminal, motor vehicle check, physical requirements and FMSCA Clearinghouse.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift 75 pounds
- Ability to climb rail cars, ladders, stairs, and bins
- Ability to work in dust and adverse weather conditions and temperatures
CHS offers a competitive total rewards package. Compensation includes base wage and, depending upon position, may include other earnings such as bonus, incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary based on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, experience, education, training, specialized skills and certifications, minimum wage/salary requirements under local law.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, wellness programs, life insurance, health and dependent care spending accounts, paid time off, 401(k), pension, profit sharing, short- and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance, subject to the eligibility requirements for each benefit plan.
CHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability.
Please note that any communication from a CHS recruiter would be sent using a chsinc.com email address. In addition, a CHS recruiter will not ask for confidential information over the phone or in an email, or request money from a candidate involved in an offer process. If you have questions regarding an employment opportunity, please reach out to chscareers@chsinc.com to verify that the communication is from CHS.
INTRODUCTION
CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States that provides grain, food and energy resources to businesses and consumers around the world. We serve agriculture customers and consumers across the United States and around the world. Most of our employees are in the United States, but today we have employees in 19 countries. At CHS, we are creating connections to empower agriculture.
Summary
Ready to grow your career with clear advancement opportunities? Join CHS as a Custom Applicator Trainee in Freeman, SD and take the first step toward becoming a Custom Applicator. Within six months, you will obtain your CDL and pesticide applicator license—setting you up for immediate career progression in a vital agricultural role. While working toward these certifications, you’ll gain hands-on experience through general labor responsibilities and learn the full scope of operations across grain, agronomy, and feed to build a strong foundation for your future role. At CHS, you’ll be part of the largest cooperative in the U.S., while making a meaningful impact in your local community. We offer a supportive, safety-focused work environment, excellent benefits, and a pathway to a long-term career with purpose and growth.
If you’re looking for more than just a job—if you want to make a difference and build a rewarding future—we want to hear from you. Apply today and grow with CHS!
Responsibilities
Under general supervision, carry out general labor responsibilities promptly and efficiently. Responsibilities may include:
- Develop and maintain knowledge of the commodities handled at the location and comply with company policy and government regulations pertaining to commodities.
- Work with customers in a courteous and professional manner.
- Prepare trucks and railcars for loading/unloading, which may require sampling, loosening large nuts, opening hatches, and attaching and/or detaching flexible hoses.
- Load and unload agricultural inputs from railcars and/or trucks using heavy or light duty machinery/equipment. May include bulk and or packaged material.
- Control and monitor all load out functions.
- Understand and operate automated scale/dump systems.
- Conduct and properly record daily, weekly and monthly maintenance tasks including but not limited to lubrication of pumps, valves, and loading arms. Inspect in-use equipment looking for seeps and leaks of process equipment.
- Monitor and maintain quality of inventory (may include blended, bulk or packaged product).
- Deliver products such as fertilizer, chemical, seed, feed and others to customer sites.
- Keep all work areas in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Conduct regular housekeeping duties such as sweeping, shoveling, power washing, scraping and cleaning up spills. Complete appropriate record keeping.
- Perform grounds maintenance including snow removal.
- Perform warehouse work including driving loader, loading/unloading inventory, forklift operation, and general maintenance.
- Promptly report any customer complaints, repair or maintenance needs, or safety concerns to supervisor.
- Maintain and promote a strong safety culture and follow all safety policies, procedures, and regulations. Identify and communicate workplace hazards and correct or seek assistance in correcting unsafe actions or conditions.
- Follow all company policies, procedures, and safety requirements.
- Perform other duties as needed or assigned to ensure facility operates smoothly and customers receive excellent customer service.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Must meet minimum age requirement
- 1+ years of experience in Operations and/or Business Operations
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to operate machinery such as loaders, conveyors, tractors, and track mobile
- Ability to work extended hours during peak seasons to meet business demands
- High School diploma or GED preferred
- CDL license or ability to attain one with Hazmat endorsement preferred
- Agriculture experience preferred
- Pre-employment screening is based on the job requirements and industry guidelines and may or may not be required for the position. If required, selected candidates must pass pre-employment screenings to include all or a combination of drug, criminal, motor vehicle check, physical requirements and FMSCA Clearinghouse.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift 75 pounds
- Ability to climb rail cars, ladders, stairs, and bins
- Ability to work in dust and adverse weather conditions and temperatures
CHS offers a competitive total rewards package. Compensation includes base wage and, depending upon position, may include other earnings such as bonus, incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary based on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, experience, education, training, specialized skills and certifications, minimum wage/salary requirements under local law.
Benefits include medical, dental, vision, wellness programs, life insurance, health and dependent care spending accounts, paid time off, 401(k), pension, profit sharing, short- and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement and adoption assistance, subject to the eligibility requirements for each benefit plan.
CHS is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disability.
Please note that any communication from a CHS recruiter would be sent using a chsinc.com email address. In addition, a CHS recruiter will not ask for confidential information over the phone or in an email, or request money from a candidate involved in an offer process. If you have questions regarding an employment opportunity, please reach out to chscareers@chsinc.com to verify that the communication is from CHS.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Trainee
Document your agricultural training credentials early
Gather proof of any vocational agriculture courses, farm apprenticeships, or supervised field training before you apply. H-2A visa employers sponsoring trainee roles need to show DOL that the position requires hands-on instruction, so your documented background strengthens the employer's petition.
Target employers filing multi-worker H-2A petitions
Farms and agribusinesses that sponsor several H-2A workers at once for a single season are more likely to have an established filing process. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with active H-2A sponsorship history in your target crop region and season.
Confirm the job order is posted on the job registry
Before accepting any trainee offer, verify the employer has filed a valid job order with the State Workforce Agency. DOL requires this clearance step before certifying an H-2A petition, and skipping it on the employer's end can delay your visa start date.
Understand how the AEWR applies to trainee classifications
The Adverse Effect Wage Rate sets the floor wage DOL requires for H-2A workers. For trainee roles, confirm with your employer whether the position is classified under a specific SOC code that affects which AEWR table applies to your work location and crop type.
Clarify housing arrangements before signing your contract
H-2A employers must provide free housing meeting federal standards, but location and setup vary widely. Ask specifically whether housing is on-farm or off-site, and verify that the employer's housing has passed the DOL pre-occupancy inspection required before workers arrive.
Check your consular appointment window against the job start date
USCIS typically processes H-2A petitions within two weeks, but consular interview slots at some posts fill weeks ahead. Confirm your employer's job start date aligns with realistic visa stamp timing so you don't arrive after the seasonal window closes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find Trainee jobs that offer H-2A visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is the recommended way to search, as it filters agricultural job listings specifically for employers with H-2A sponsorship history. Standard job boards don't distinguish between domestic postings and visa-sponsored positions, so you can spend hours applying to roles where sponsorship was never an option. Searching by crop type, region, and season on a dedicated platform saves that time.
What housing and transportation obligations does an H-2A employer have for Trainee workers?
Your H-2A employer must provide free housing that meets federal and state standards, either on the farm or at a nearby facility. They must also cover inbound and outbound transportation costs once you complete 50 percent of the contract period. DOL inspects employer-provided housing before workers arrive, and any deficiencies must be corrected before you can occupy the facility.
Can a Trainee role qualify for H-2A if the work isn't tied to a specific crop?
Yes, but the employer must document that the training activities are directly tied to agricultural production and that the need is temporary or seasonal. DOL evaluates whether the duties fall within the H-2A agricultural definition, so roles mixing non-agricultural instruction with farm work require careful job description drafting by the employer to pass certification.
What happens to my H-2A status if the training period ends early?
If your employer releases you before the contract end date, your H-2A status terminates and USCIS requires the employer to notify them. You have a very short grace period and no automatic authorization to stay or transfer to a new employer. A new H-2A petition from a different employer would need to be approved before you could resume authorized agricultural work.