Associate Herd Caretaker, East TN AgResearch & Education Center: UTIA
University of Tennessee at Martin
$18 - $20 / hour
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Description
- Primary responsibilities include putting out feed and mineral, maintaining water boxes, assist with animal delivery, cleaning animal enclosures, and milking animals.
- Assists facility leadership and researchers with harvesting grains, grass, and other forage species. Operates specialized pieces of research equipment such as a haying equipment, planters, fertilization implements, and others.
- 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.
- Maintains records associated with animal care and regulations.
- Independently supports day-to-day activities for the maintenance of grounds and infrastructure of the Research Center.
- Acts as primary support staff for mowing, spraying, irrigation, fertilization, and upkeep of landscaped areas and areas around/within research plots.
- Performs carpentry work, painting, road grading, equipment maintenance and other general grounds keeping tasks.
- Other duties as assigned by the Facility Manager or Director.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Education:
- High School Diploma
- Experience:
- 2+ years relevant experience
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Knowledge of livestock and agricultural operations.
Ability to work with large farm animals/livestock.
Ability to assist in gathering samples and minor medical procedures.
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.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Education:
- Vocational or Technical Training
- Experience:
- 4+ years of relevant experience
Work Location:
- Location: Little River Dairy – Walland, TN
- Position is onsite, with regular overtime, and regular weekend and occasional holiday work.
Compensation and Benefits:
- UT market range: MR04
- Anticipated hiring range: $18-20/hr
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
Application Instructions:
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.
- Resume
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 Center’s land to nearly 2,000 acres.
Benefits
- UT market range: MR04
- Anticipated hiring range: $18-20/hr
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
- Resume
About this role
Working at the East Tennessee AgResearch & Education Center means supporting both livestock operations and field research across nearly 2,000 acres. Your days will blend hands-on animal care—feeding, watering, milking, and assisting with deliveries—with equipment operation and grounds maintenance. You'll operate tractors, skid steers, hay equipment, and other specialized machinery, and help researchers harvest grains and forages. The role also includes record-keeping for animal care compliance, carpentry, painting, and general facility upkeep, all directed by the Facility Manager or Director.
This position suits someone with at least two years of farm or agricultural experience who is comfortable working independently and as part of a team in outdoor conditions. You'll need safe heavy equipment operation skills, the ability to handle large livestock, and willingness to assist with sampling and minor medical procedures on animals. The job requires a high school diploma and legal authorization to work in the US. Vocational or technical training and four-plus years of relevant experience are preferred.
The role is full-time at the Little River Dairy facility in Walland, with regular overtime and weekend work expected. Pay is $18–$20 per hour. As part of the University of Tennessee system, you'd have access to employee benefits and professional development opportunities within an institution committed to work-life balance and staff support.
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Pay for this role
$18 to $20 per hour
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