Assistant Plot Caretaker, East Tennessee AgResearch & Education Center UTIA

The Assistant Plot Caretaker supports field operations of the Research Center with a focus on planting fertilizing irrigating and harvesting crops. This position also supports staff and faculty with the upkeep of Research Center grounds equipment and facilities. This position also supports outreach and educational activities including classes and events.

• Assists facility leadership and researchers with harvesting grains grass and other agronomic crops.
• Operates various pieces of agricultural equipment including but not limited to: tractors skid steer loaders tillage implements planters sprayers hay equipment rotary mower lawn mowers weed eaters etc.
• Assists in day-to-day activities for the maintenance of grounds and infrastructure of the Research Center.
• Acts as support staff for mowing spraying irrigation fertilization and upkeep of landscaped areas and areas around/within research plots.
• Assists maintenance staff with carpentry work painting road grading equipment maintenance and other general grounds keeping tasks.
• Other duties as assigned by the Facility Manager or Director.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • High School Diploma
• Knowledge Skills Abilities:
  • Equipment troubleshooting ability.
  • Safe heavy equipment operation skills including tractors backhoes and skid steers.
  • Ability to work in adverse outdoor conditions for long periods of time.
  • Ability to follow instructions and work both independently as well as part of a team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Education:
  • Vocational or Technical Training
• Experience:
  • 2 years of relevant experience.
• Knowledge Skills & Abilities:
  • Math skills for calibration and craft work.
    Knowledge of agricultural production including planting harvesting animal care irrigation and fertility.

Work Location:

• Location: ETREC Plant Sciences Unit Knoxville TN
• Position is onsite with occasional overtime weekend and holiday work.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR04
• Anticipated hiring range: $18-22/hr
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structurehere
• Find more information on UT Benefitshere

Application Instructions:

To express interest please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• List of 3 Professional References

About The Department:

One of ten AgResearch and Education Centers located throughout Tennessee the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center serves as a field laboratory providing experimental plots lands livestock orchards equipment and other types of support for research programs developed by AgResearch scientists. The Center was established on land purchased by the university in 1869. Since that time six units have been added increasing the Centers land to nearly 2000 acres.