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Senior Farm Equipment Operator, Cumberland Forest: Forest Resources AgResearch & Education Center - UTIA

Position Number: 6597468
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Agriculture - Environmental Science, Ecology & Forestry

Senior Farm Equipment Operator, Cumberland Forest: Forest Resources AgResearch & Education Center - UTIA
Oliver Springs, TN, United States

Job Identification: 5225
Job Category: Ag & Nat Resources
Posting Date: 09/25/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 515 Cassell Road, Oliver Springs, TN, 37840, US (On-site)

Job Description
This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and safe use of farm equipment, as well as performing a variety of field-related duties in support of the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center - UT Cumberland Forest. The role ensures that equipment and land resources are managed efficiently to support research, teaching, and demonstration activities. By providing critical operational support, this position advances the Center's overall productivity and contributes to the fulfillment of the University of Tennessee's land-grant mission.

Responsibilities

Operates, monitors, and performs routine maintenance on specialized farm and forestry equipment, including tractors with implements, commercial mowers, field vehicles, log trucks, and dump trucks.
Assists with facility upkeep and general maintenance tasks to ensure safe and efficient operations.
Supports research personnel with project setup, implementation, and ongoing maintenance needs.
Assists with tree felling when necessary, due to safety concerns, disease management, or timber harvesting operations.
Performs carpentry, electrical, mechanical, and related tasks in support of research, facilities, and field operations.
Completes other related duties as assigned to support the mission of the Center.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

Education:
- High School Diploma or GED
Experience:
- 2 years of combined farm, forestry, logging, natural resources and landscaping experience.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Knowledge of agricultural operations and natural resources.
- Ability to operate and service specialized agricultural and heavy equipment.
- Ability to recognize equipment or maintenance problems.
- Ability to accurately record data related to equipment maintenance and service schedules.
- Ability to perform agricultural/manual labor in inclement weather conditions including tree felling operations.
- Ability to work well with others on a daily basis.
- Self-motivated individual.
- Valid driver's license
- CDL license within 6 months of hire date
- Lift up to 50 lbs

Our Ideal Candidate Would Have:

Education:
- Trade School certification
Experience:
- 3 Years of forestry or farm operations field work
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- CDL license
- Follow written and oral instructions
- Ability to work in varying outdoor environments.
- Work independently and with supervision.

Work Location:

Location:
- Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center
  515 Cassell Road
  Oliver Springs, TN 37840
Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

UT market range: MR04
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 College/Department/Division:

The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center is one of ten AgResearch and Education Centers located throughout Tennessee. Headquartered in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the Forest Resources AgResearch Center is composed of three forest units located in East and Middle Tennessee-Oak Ridge Forest, Cumberland Forest, and Highland Rim Forest.

The Center is a field research laboratory located on more than 11,400 acres. It is a regionally recognized leader in developing new technologies applicable to modern forestry and wildlife resources management and environmental stewardship.

The Cumberland Forest, established in 1947, is the largest field research unit in the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center, encompassing 8,361 acres of Cumberland Mountain forest land in Morgan and Scott counties. This forest facilitates several large- and small-scale forest and wildlife management research projects, as well as ecological demonstration projects. The Cumberland Forest is also the site of some of the earliest strip-mine reclamation research in Tennessee.

About Us
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees-the Volunteers-who uphold the university's tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee's flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy's largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.
UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.
The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as "Best Employer for New Graduates," "One of America's Best Large Employers," and "Best Workplace for Women," and has been designated as "Best Place for Working Parents" by Forbes Magazine.
Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/5225/?mode=location