H-2A Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is one of the Midwest's most active H-2A visa states, with strong demand concentrated in the Central Illinois grain belt, the northern vegetable and nursery corridor, and apple orchards in the western counties. Employers in crop production, landscaping, and food processing sponsor H-2A workers each season.
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Get Access To All JobsPAY RANGE: $17.50 - $27.50 / hour
Compensation is determined based on your experience and qualifications.
In addition to base pay, you may be eligible for overtime, commission, and performance-based increases and bonuses.
Prairieland FS, Inc. is a full-service agricultural and energy supplier dedicated to providing high-quality products and services to improve customer profitability. We are committed to excellence and envision being the leading supplier of choice.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Application Specialist is responsible for the precise and safe application of agricultural crop production input products to agricultural fields. This role involves operating and maintaining specialized equipment to ensure accurate and efficient application, following agronomic recommendations, and compliance with all safety and environmental regulations.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain custom application equipment, including sprayers, spreaders, and other machinery.
- Apply agricultural crop production input products according to agronomic plans and regulatory guidelines.
- Conduct pre- and post-application inspections of equipment to ensure operational efficiency and safety.
- Follow detailed application maps and instructions to ensure precise product placement and application rates.
- Monitor weather conditions and field variables to determine the best application timing and method.
- Maintain accurate records of custom applications, including products used, rates, and areas treated.
- Communicate with customers, agronomists, and other team members to coordinate application schedules and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Adhere to all safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling of chemicals.
- Assist with inventory management and reporting of chemical usage.
- Perform minor repairs and adjustments on equipment as needed.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalent; additional training or certification in agronomy or agriculture is a plus.
- Obtain a valid CDL (Commercial Driver's License) with required endorsements (e.g., HazMat, Tanker) within six months of employment and maintain a clean driving record.
- All required federal and state pesticide licenses within the first six months of employment.
- Follow safety and compliance standards to help ensure their well-being and the safety of others.
- Experience operating agricultural machinery, particularly sprayers and spreaders, is preferred.
- Knowledge of agronomy practices, crop protection products, and safety regulations is preferred.
- This position requires driving for extended periods and working outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Familiarity with GPS and precision agriculture technology is a plus.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to work in various weather conditions, during peak planting and harvesting seasons, and outside of normal hours throughout the year to meet deadlines and demands.
- Strong attention to detail, with a focus on safety and compliance.
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to lift and move heavy objects, as required for loading and unloading.
- High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information.
- Provide Exceptional Customer Service.
Total Rewards Package
Insurance - Medical, Dental, and Vision
Financial Savings - 401K Matching, Pension Company-Funded, FSA HSA
Voluntary and Miscellaneous Benefits - Accident, Air Evac, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Identity Theft Protection, Life, Short/Long-Term Disability
Vacation and More - Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Pay, Uniform Program, Discounts, Teamwork, Advancements/Service, Retirement Recognition
Issue Date: 01/01/2025
PAY RANGE: $17.50 - $27.50 / hour
Compensation is determined based on your experience and qualifications.
In addition to base pay, you may be eligible for overtime, commission, and performance-based increases and bonuses.
Prairieland FS, Inc. is a full-service agricultural and energy supplier dedicated to providing high-quality products and services to improve customer profitability. We are committed to excellence and envision being the leading supplier of choice.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Application Specialist is responsible for the precise and safe application of agricultural crop production input products to agricultural fields. This role involves operating and maintaining specialized equipment to ensure accurate and efficient application, following agronomic recommendations, and compliance with all safety and environmental regulations.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate and maintain custom application equipment, including sprayers, spreaders, and other machinery.
- Apply agricultural crop production input products according to agronomic plans and regulatory guidelines.
- Conduct pre- and post-application inspections of equipment to ensure operational efficiency and safety.
- Follow detailed application maps and instructions to ensure precise product placement and application rates.
- Monitor weather conditions and field variables to determine the best application timing and method.
- Maintain accurate records of custom applications, including products used, rates, and areas treated.
- Communicate with customers, agronomists, and other team members to coordinate application schedules and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Adhere to all safety protocols, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe handling of chemicals.
- Assist with inventory management and reporting of chemical usage.
- Perform minor repairs and adjustments on equipment as needed.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalent; additional training or certification in agronomy or agriculture is a plus.
- Obtain a valid CDL (Commercial Driver's License) with required endorsements (e.g., HazMat, Tanker) within six months of employment and maintain a clean driving record.
- All required federal and state pesticide licenses within the first six months of employment.
- Follow safety and compliance standards to help ensure their well-being and the safety of others.
- Experience operating agricultural machinery, particularly sprayers and spreaders, is preferred.
- Knowledge of agronomy practices, crop protection products, and safety regulations is preferred.
- This position requires driving for extended periods and working outdoors in various weather conditions.
- Familiarity with GPS and precision agriculture technology is a plus.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to work in various weather conditions, during peak planting and harvesting seasons, and outside of normal hours throughout the year to meet deadlines and demands.
- Strong attention to detail, with a focus on safety and compliance.
- Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to lift and move heavy objects, as required for loading and unloading.
- High level of integrity and ability to handle confidential information.
- Provide Exceptional Customer Service.
Total Rewards Package
Insurance - Medical, Dental, and Vision
Financial Savings - 401K Matching, Pension Company-Funded, FSA HSA
Voluntary and Miscellaneous Benefits - Accident, Air Evac, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Identity Theft Protection, Life, Short/Long-Term Disability
Vacation and More - Paid Time Off (PTO), Holiday Pay, Uniform Program, Discounts, Teamwork, Advancements/Service, Retirement Recognition
Issue Date: 01/01/2025
Search H-2A Jobs by Industry in Illinois
Tips for Finding H-2A Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Target the Central Illinois grain belt first
Corn and soybean operations in Champaign, McLean, and Sangamon counties file H-2A petitions annually. Focusing your search on this corridor gives you access to the highest concentration of seasonal agricultural employers in the state.
Search by county, not just city
Most H-2A jobs in Illinois are based on rural farms, not near major cities. Searching by county names like Tazewell, Peoria, or Knox will surface opportunities that a city-based search often misses entirely.
Apply before February for peak season roles
Illinois H-2A employers typically file petitions 45 to 60 days before the start date. Most spring and summer positions are filled by March, so submitting applications in January or February puts you ahead of the majority of candidates.
Browse verified H-2A listings on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters jobs by visa type, so you can browse Illinois H-2A roles without sorting through positions that don't offer sponsorship. This saves time when you're targeting a specific crop season or county.
Look beyond row crops to nursery and landscaping work
Nursery operations in Lake and McHenry counties and landscaping employers across the Chicago suburbs regularly sponsor H-2A workers. These positions often run from April through October and can complement a crop-focused job search.
Verify the job order is active before applying
Illinois H-2A employers must post a job order with the Illinois Department of Employment Security before USCIS approves the petition. Confirming the job order is active signals the employer has completed the required domestic recruitment steps.
See all 376+ H-2A jobs in Illinois
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Get Access To All JobsH-2A Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which industries in Illinois sponsor the most H-2A visas?
Crop production dominates H-2A visa sponsorship in Illinois, with corn, soybean, and wheat farms accounting for the largest share of petitions. Fruit and vegetable growers in western and northern counties are also active sponsors, followed by nursery and greenhouse operations, apple orchards near Murphysboro, and landscaping companies serving the greater Chicago metro area.
Which cities in Illinois have the most H-2A sponsorship jobs?
H-2A jobs in Illinois are concentrated in rural counties rather than major cities. Bloomington-Normal, Peoria, and Springfield serve as the nearest urban anchors to the Central Illinois farm belt, where most petitions originate. Galesburg and Macomb in western Illinois and the collar counties north of Chicago also see consistent H-2A activity each season.
What types of roles typically qualify for H-2A sponsorship in Illinois?
Qualifying roles are limited to temporary or seasonal agricultural work. In Illinois, that includes field crop workers, grain harvest laborers, fruit and vegetable pickers, nursery plant graders, irrigation equipment operators, and seasonal landscaping laborers. The position must be tied to a defined agricultural season and cannot be a year-round permanent role for H-2A eligibility to apply.
How do I find H-2A jobs in Illinois that offer visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lets you filter job listings specifically by H-2A visa type, so you can browse Illinois opportunities without manually screening each posting for sponsorship status. You can also check the Department of Labor's iCERT portal for active job orders filed by Illinois employers, which are public record and list the employer, location, and position start date.
Are there any Illinois-specific considerations for H-2A sponsorship I should know about?
Illinois requires H-2A employers to register the job order with the Illinois Department of Employment Security as part of the domestic recruitment process before USCIS approval. The state also has active farmworker advocacy organizations that monitor employer compliance with H-2A housing and wage obligations, which means Illinois employers in the program generally maintain documented records of their petition and housing arrangements.