The Compost Operations Specialist Performs a variety of duties related to the daily operations of the UT Compost Facility including leading special projects to improve equipment and infrastructure, creating preventative maintenance schedules for equipment, performing diagnostics & complex repairs on broken vehicles and equipment, and makes recommendations on how to best complete projects. This individual will operate heavy equipment, waste collection vehicles, and drives passenger buses. This position serves as a lead team member who provides work direction to students, AmeriCorps members, and other team members and volunteers, and assists in the supervision of others when supervisor is absent.

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The Compost Operations Specialist Performs a variety of duties related to the daily operations of the UT Compost Facility including leading special projects to improve equipment and infrastructure, creating preventative maintenance schedules for equipment, performing diagnostics & complex repairs on broken vehicles and equipment, and makes recommendations on how to best complete projects. This individual will operate heavy equipment, waste collection vehicles, and drives passenger buses. This position serves as a lead team member who provides work direction to students, AmeriCorps members, and other team members and volunteers, and assists in the supervision of others when supervisor is absent.

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Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • High school diploma or GED
• Experience:
  • Two or more years’ experience in mechanical repair and preventive maintenance.
  • Two or more years’ experience operating heavy equipment.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledge of OSHA safety regulations and Lockout/Tagout procedures.
  • Maintenance skills for a variety of vehicles and heavy equipment such as refuse vehicles, excavators, skid steers, and backhoes.
  • Technology skills to use computers and smart phones to conduct research on parts and best practices, send emails, and for purchases and work requests
  • Ability to mentor other staff and student workers.
  • Ability to read, write, and follow written and verbal instructions
  • Ability to perform moderately strenuous work activities.
  • Ability to work alone on special projects with minimal supervision.

• Other Conditions

  • Class A Commercial Driver’s license with passenger endorsement or the ability to acquire the license within the first year of hire.

• 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 in mechanical systems, operating, or waste collection or an Associates or Bachelor’s Degree in waste collection, sustainability, agriculture, construction, or other related field
• Experience:
  • Experience mentoring junior tradesmen on operation and safety procedures.
  • Good driving record with minimum three (3) year CDL-based driving experience including transporting passengers.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Problem solving skills to complete difficult, technical and complex assignments.
  • Advanced knowledge of safe work practices.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills.
  • Ability to lay out components of an entire project start to finish.

Work Location

• University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN Campus
• This is an onsite position

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR06
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

About the Department

UT Facilities Services is responsible for the care and keeping of more than 300 facilities and utilities systems in and around Knoxville. As the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s largest non-academic department, team members are responsible for facilities maintenance and repair, custodial needs, landscaping and lawncare, utility work, in-house and capital construction projects, facilities planning and design, environmental initiatives, pest control, campus event services, and facilities administration functions for both the flagship campus and the agricultural institute. The Facilities Services staff provides around-the-clock coverage to ensure students, staff, faculty, and fans have a consistent and positive experience every time they step foot on Rocky Top.

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• Develops and implements preventive maintenance schedules for composting equipment.

• Performs advanced preventive maintenance and complex repairs on all UT Compost Facility equipment and related systems.
• Makes recommendations on how to best complete a project or advanced repair.
• Orders or pulls supplies needed for job and responsible for delivery of materials to work site.
• Monitors and adjusts systems and equipment to ensure efficient operation.
• Corrects complex unsafe/dangerous conditions and assists with enforcing safety regulations, including lockout/tagout procedures.
• Mentors and trains team members on basic maintenance and preventative maintenance procedures.
• Operates equipment including but not limited to: an excavator, skid steer, backhoe, industrial screener, food waste collection truck, dump truck & trailers in compliance with OSHA guidelines.
• Responsible for driving, operating, emptying and cleaning waste collection trucks for special events such as football games.
• Drives and operates specialized trucks and trailers to pick up and deliver raw organic matter such as food waste/garden debris and bring them to the Compost Facility for processing.
• Drives passenger buses requiring CDL with passenger endorsement for departmental and campus events.
• Distribute PPE and ensure proper safety measures are adhered to on site by students and volunteers
• Assists in giving tours to visitors, explaining facility operations and the basics of composting.