The Little River Unit (LRU) is one of six units that comprise the ETREC. This unit consists of 530 acres and includes a research dairy herd of up to 450 cattle. Position serves under the general supervision of the Research Unit Manager. Position leads in the planning and feasibility assessment of research projects. Position will direct faculty researchers in the implementation of studies, including record-keeping, collection and interpretation of data, and training of designated unit personnel. Position will be responsible for upkeep and proper function of specialized research equipment, including state-of-art robotic milking systems and automated feeding systems. Position will also be responsible for overall research herd health and record keeping, as well as their contribution to research outcomes of research projects.

• Education:
  • High School Diploma
• Experience:
  • 2+ years’ experience in dairy agricultural research and/or production operations involving livestock operations.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Basic knowledge of agricultural research operations, techniques/procedures, and equipment including robotic milking systems, automated precision feeding equipment, and other robotic and automated systems;
  • Basic Knowledge of PCDART Dairy Management Software or comparable
  • Ability to assist in communication, planning, and coordination of studies (livestock and environmental) with faculty researchers;
  • Ability to record and prepare reports related to research projects, livestock care, crops, and equipment;
  • Ability to learn IACUC regulatory standards and comply with them;
  • Knowledge of cow/calf care, animal reproduction, and animal nutrition;
  • Ability to help ensure that facility procedures and operations are conducted in an environmentally-sound manner;
  • Ability to occasionally perform agricultural/physical labor in inclement weather conditions
  • Maintaining up-to-date computer skills are a necessary performance to these functions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science or related field
• Experience:
  • Experience in dairy agricultural research and/or production operations involving livestock operations.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Ability to assist with multiple faculty driven research projects simultaneously
  • Working knowledge of advanced robotic milking systems, automatic feeding systems, and other precision livestock technologies and equipment.

Work Location:

• Location: Little River Dairy – Walland, TN
• Position is onsite, with regular overtime, and regular weekend and occasional holiday work. Position will have opportunity for free on-site housing.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR05
• Anticipated hiring range: $24-$26.50/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
• Cover Letter
• 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 Center’s land to nearly 2,000 acres.

• In absence of supervisor is responsible for oversight of management plan including care, feeding, management of research dairy herd, decisions regarding research objectives, regulatory considerations, and animal welfare.
• Manages heifers, lactating animals, and beef/dairy crosses for funded research projects, assist making daily decisions to complete research objectives while maintaining regulatory compliance and healthy animals.
• Recommends reproduction methodologies of research herd, including breeding protocols program to ensure research completion.
• Supports efforts to improve pasture and crop quality including fertility, pest management, and rotational practices
• Leads herd care program in the absence of Research Unit Manager or Research Coordinator.
• Position will occasionally direct and oversee research herd caretakers as they complete tasks associated with work listed above
• Must be able to work flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and must be available to be on-call after hours
• Operate general-purpose and specialized farm and/or research equipment
• Perform other duties as instructed by the Research Unit Manager
• Compiles, analyzes, and acts upon records related to research, farm operations, research equipment, supplies, to support ongoing projects etc.
• Record Individual Animal Records: date, treatment, location, feed, other applications to drive research project decisions and data collection.
• Supports the Little River Unit by ensuring compliance with all OLAC, IACUC, and OSP regulations.
• Putting out feed and mineral, maintaining water boxes, animal delivery, cleaning animal enclosures, and milking animals.
• Assists facility leadership and researchers with harvesting grains, grass, and other forage species. Operates and maintains 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.