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.

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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.

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Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma
• Experience: 5+ years of relevant experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Equipment troubleshooting ability
  • Advanced equipment repair skills
  • Ability to perform specialized maintenance of light and heavy equipment
  • Safe heavy equipment operation skills including tractors, backhoes, and skid steers
  • Knowledge of small engines, plumbing, and electrical systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Vocational or Technical Training
• Experience: 10+ years of relevant experience
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Welding, carpentry, and fabrication skills
  • Ability to troubleshoot hydraulic and fluid management systems
  • Knowledge of agricultural production including planting, harvesting, animal care, irrigation, and fertility

Our Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Math skills for calibration and craft work
• Experience with power tools as well computer programs used in equipment design and maintenance.

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: MR08
• Anticipated hiring range: $24-$26.25/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
• 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.

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• Troubleshoots and conducts highly specialized and emergency repairs to research equipment and custom-designed infrastructure critical to research center success including advanced robotic milker systems.
• Design from scratch, install, and oversee repair and preventative maintenance programs for specialized research equipment/infrastructure vital to the continuity of institute research projects including Calan gate feeding systems, precision Reinke Irrigation systems, robotic calf feeding systems, etc.
• Keep accurate records regarding equipment/infrastructure repair and maintenance, then convey those reports to the Center Director and Farm Manager.
• Provide updates to leadership on status of equipment/infrastructure repairs and budget costs associated with those repairs, and determine when to refer issues to specialist or outside contractor.
• Will design and lead efforts to train research staff on preventative maintenance and repairs of agricultural and specialized research equipment, and will provide instruction and technical assistance to staff and faculty regarding site maintenance issues, design feasibility, and project logistics.
• Will draft and present safety and operation training/presentations of equipment and systems used across all research farms.
• Operate equipment to plant and harvest agricultural crops to be used for research trials and animals.
• Operate specialized equipment for feeding, transporting, and milking dairy animals.
• Maintain roads, fences, stalls, and parlor areas to ensure research quality, security, and continuity.
• Work with principal investigators to design and fabricate specialized research equipment to promote cutting edge research at the research center.
• Guide researchers in selection of materials for use in the design of their research projects. Communicate with leadership and principal investigators on progress of projects and provide accurate budgets for costs involved.
• Other duties as assigned by the Facility Manager or Director