Senior Herd Caretaker, Plateau Research & Education Center: UTIA

Position is responsible for the care and welfare of livestock. Cleans and maintains work environment/facilities. Under direct supervision duties include feeding, watering, taking measurements, recording research data, care and cleaning of equipment. Duties include maintaining and recording feed inventories. Observes livestock welfare and reports any possible problems to immediate supervisor. This includes possible illness or uncharacteristic behavior. Position may assist in data collection. Position maintains animal health programs and performs regular vaccination programs.

Position conducts agricultural work plans from detailed instruction. Assists maintenance or other personnel in the repair and maintenance of facilities and/or equipment. Oversees the work of designated personnel and/or students in the absence of Farm Crew Leader or research personnel.

Position performs farm labor in support of ag operations and hay/feed production. Assists maintenance or other personnel in the repair and maintenance of facilities and/or equipment.

Position is required to participate in an Occupational Health Program and be trained in standard operation procedures. Position will be trained in IACUC procedures, requirements and compliance.

Position is located at the Grassland Unit at Plateau Research & Education Center.

• Perform livestock and other agricultural duties in support of Center operations.
  • Feed livestock in production and research trials.
  • Assist in livestock monitoring.
  • Assist in providing for animal health (vaccinations, castrations, etc.)
• Operate machinery/equipment such as tractors, haying equipment, mowers, planters, and tillage equipment.
  • Understand operating procedures for farm equipment.
  • Perform routine mowing of pastures and hay fields.
  • Operate tillage equipment such as disks and plows.
• Perform routine maintenance on farm structures and equipment.
  • Assist in building fence.
  • Assist in cleaning barns and buildings
• Perform recording keeping for equipment and production.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • High school diploma or GED
• Experience:
  • Two years of production agriculture experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Ability to work cooperatively and get along well with others.
  • Basic knowledge of livestock and agricultural operations
  • Ability to work with large farm animals/livestock
  • Ability to perform agricultural/manual labor in inclement climatic conditions
  • Ability to operate machinery/equipment including tractors, loaders, mowers and spreaders
  • Ability to work in various weather conditions
  • Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Ability to perform Artificial Insemination in cattle

Work Location:

• Location: Grassland Unit 420 Ted Davis Rd., Crossville, TN 38572 which is part of the Plateau Research & Education Center, 320 Experiment Station Rd Crossville, TN 38571
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR04
• Anticipated hiring range: $18-$20
• 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. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before October 24, 2025.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division:

The Plateau AgResearch and Education Center is the site of studies on the efficiency of livestock enterprises, fruit and vegetable production and marketing, soil fertility and conservation research, and hay and pasture studies. Equal distance from Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, the Center includes 2,100 acres in three locations and is the site of research in beef, fruits, vegetables, field crops, and swine.

Information from our studies is used by small, part-time, family farm operations, and research data from our annual fruit and vegetable variety trials inform growers large and small in Tennessee and across the nation.