Associate Herd Caretaker, East TN AgResearch & Education Center: UTIA

University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Walland (TN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking an Associate Herd Caretaker at Little River Dairy in Walland, TN. The role focuses on livestock care, farm labor, equipment operation, and crop production, with duties supporting campus research and outreach activities.

Onsite position requiring heavy equipment use, grounds upkeep, and collaboration with staff and researchers; regular overtime and weekend work are possible.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• 2+ years relevant experience.
• Knowledge of livestock and agricultural operations.
• Ability to operate heavy equipment safely.
• Able to work outdoors in adverse conditions.
• Able to work independently or in a team.

Responsibilities

• Put out feed and minerals, maintain water boxes, assist with animal delivery, clean enclosures, and milk animals.
• Harvest grains, grass, and other forage; operate haying equipment, planters, and fertilization implements.
• Operate tractors, skid steers, tillage implements, planters, sprayers, and mowing/equipment.
• Maintain records for animal care and regulations.
• Support daily grounds and infrastructure maintenance at the Research Center.
• Perform carpentry, painting, road grading, and other grounds-keeping tasks.

Skills

Livestock care

Equipment operation

Grounds maintenance

Teamwork

Safety

Education

High School Diploma

Vocational or Technical Training

Job description

Job Description The Associate Herd Caretaker supports field operations of the Research Center with a focus on livestock care, farm labor, equipment/machinery operation, and raising 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.

Job Description The Associate Herd Caretaker supports field operations of the Research Center with a focus on livestock care, farm labor, equipment/machinery operation, and raising 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.

Responsibilities

• 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

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.

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land‑grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. The university holds a strong commitment to its land‑grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.