STEPS Research Farm Tech II

University of Kentucky; Lexington, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky is seeking a STEPS Research Farm Technician II for the Research Farms division. The role provides support for research activities and performs duties related to operation, maintenance, and repair of facilities.

Responsibilities include routine farm upkeep, landscape maintenance, equipment calibration, and assisting with broad facility improvements. This is a hands-on, full-time position requiring availability for overtime and occasional weekends.

Qualifications

• Experience operating farm machinery and performing general farm maintenance.
• Experience with mowing, landscape upkeep, planting trees, fence repair, and building maintenance is preferred.
• Ability to calibrate and apply pesticides when required.

Responsibilities

• General farm and facilities maintenance such as mowing, trimming, landscape work, tree removal and repair.
• Calibrate pesticide application equipment and apply pesticides.
• Perform duties to maintain and improve facility aesthetics.
• Other duties related to facilities and farm maintenance as assigned.

Skills

Farm machinery operation

Lawn care experience

Mowing/landscape maintenance

Tools

Zero Turn mower

Weed eater

Job description

Required License/Registration/Certification

Physical Requirements

Lifting, pushing, pulling objects up to 50 lbs.; stand or walk with objects up to 10 lbs.; working from elevated platforms; sitting

Shift

Work Shift
Monday – Friday
Variable start/finish times, typically 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Occasional overtime required with potential holidays and weekends required as well.
Expected # of Hours/Week
37.5 hours

Job Summary

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture Food and Environment seeks a STEPS Research Farm Technician II for the Research Farms division. The Research Farms provide a vast array of teaching, research and extension opportunities for the faculty, staff and students of the college.
The STEPS Research Farm Technician II provides support for research activities and performs other duties and tasks related to the operation, maintenance and repair of the facility.
Responsibilities include:

• General farm and facilities maintenance such as: mowing, hand trimming, landscape maintenance, planting trees, tree/ tree limb removal/ cleanup, including felling trees, road repairs, fence construction/ repair including painting, building repairs/ maintenance/ painting
• Calibrate pesticide application equipment, mix and apply pesticides
• Other duties as assigned to maintain and improve aesthetics of the facilities
• Any/ all other duties and task related to facilities and farm maintenance not specifically described above.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Zero Turn mower, Weed eater. Experience with lawn care preferred.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 11/30/2026

Our University Community

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * Do you have experience operating farm machinery?
  • No
  • Yes, limited experience.
  • Yes, mid-level experience.
  • Yes, extensive experience.
• * List your farm equipment/farm maintenance experience?

  (Open Ended Question)

• * Please list the types of grounds equipment/ tools you have used to create a well maintained landscape.

  (Open Ended Question)