Lead Turf Technician
Ricci’s Landscape Management, Inc. (RLM, Inc.)
Hebron, IN | Full-Time | Lake & Porter County Routes
Pay: $25.00 – $33.00 per hour, based on experience and licensing
About the Role
Our Lead Turf Technician is the person our clients trust to keep their lawns healthy, beautiful, and problem-free season after season. This is a senior, route-owning position for an experienced licensed applicator who takes pride in doing turf care the right way — the kind of technician who can walk a property, spot a fungal issue before it spreads, and explain to the homeowner exactly what they’re seeing and how we’ll handle it.
You’ll work alongside a team that includes an Indiana Accredited Horticulturist (IAH) and licensed applicators who genuinely care about agronomy — not a crew cutting corners. You’ll manage your own route across Lake and Porter County with a company-provided service vehicle, build long-term relationships with the clients on that route, and serve as the field lead for two developing turf technicians — their go-to for diagnostics, calibration questions, and tough calls in the field. You’ll also have direct input on program adjustments when conditions in the field call for it.
Why RLM, Inc.
Founded in 1994, RLM has spent 32 years building a reputation in Northwest Indiana for quality work and long client tenure. We invest in our people the same way we invest in our equipment and our programs — because the right technician, supported well, is the difference between a property that just gets sprayed and a property that genuinely thrives.
Compensation & Benefits
• Competitive hourly wage ($25–$33/hr based on licensing and experience)
• Health, dental, and vision insurance (after 90 days)
• 401(k) with 6% company match (after 1 year)
• Paid time off
• Paid training and professional development — including support for CCH credits and additional license categories
What You’ll Do
• Own a route of residential and commercial turf accounts across Lake and Porter County
• Apply fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide, and insecticide treatments per label rates and program specifications
• Calibrate equipment and mix products accurately for each application
• Identify turf species, weeds, insects, and common turf diseases in the field; recommend and document corrective action
• Diagnose and monitor insect, disease, and environmental damage; flag issues that need follow-up
• Communicate professionally with clients on-site — explaining what you’re doing, what you’re seeing, and what to expect
• Complete accurate service documentation for billing, records, and regulatory compliance
• Load, unload, inspect, and maintain assigned equipment and service vehicle
• Work safely and respond appropriately to field issues, weather changes, or property concerns
• Serve as the field lead and on-the-job mentor for two developing turf technicians — supporting their diagnostics, calibration, and product application questions
• Work directly with the Director of Service regarding product selection, training, inventory, etc.
Required Qualifications
• Valid Indiana Pesticide Applicator License with Category 3B (Turf Pest Management)
• Minimum 5 years of turf treatment / fertilization experience
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Working knowledge of fertilizer programs, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides used in cool-season turf
• Demonstrated ability to identify common Indiana turf species, weeds, insects, and diseases
• Strong communication skills — comfortable speaking directly with clients on a property
• Comfortable training, coaching, and supporting less-experienced technicians in the field
• Able to work independently, manage a route, and document work accurately
• Able to lift 50 lbs repeatedly and work outdoors in seasonal Indiana conditions
• Dependable work history with verifiable references
Preferred (Not Required)
• Category 3A (Ornamental Pest Management) — or willingness to obtain with company support
• Category 6 (Right-of-Way) or 7A (General Pest)
• Prior experience as a lead applicator or route supervisor
• Familiarity with service management software and digital route documentation
• Field-based role traveling between properties; based out of Hebron, IN
Schedule
Monday through Friday, with a typical start time of 6:30 AM. End times vary by route, season, and weather. Saturday hours may be required during peak season or weather-driven catch-up windows. We do our best to give the team predictable Saturdays off whenever the route allows.
Training & Growth
RLM supports ongoing education throughout the year — CCH credits, additional license categories, manufacturer trainings, and Purdue Extension resources. We want our turf technicians to keep growing in their craft, and we back that up with paid time and reimbursement for continuing education.
Work Environment
• Company service vehicle for the workday
• Employee referral program and employee discount
• Team appreciation events — cookouts, team lunches, holiday gatherings
• Casual, professional work attire (company-provided)
• Friendly, tight-knit team with regular social events
Ready to Apply?
If you’re a licensed turf professional looking for a long-term home with a company that takes the work as seriously as you do, we’d like to hear from you.
Visit www.rlminc.com to learn more about RLM, Inc.
