Senior Farm Equipment Operator, Forest Resources & Education Center: UTIA (Oak Ridge, TN)

This position is solely responsible for the operation and maintenance of farm equipment, and field-related duties for the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center – UT Oak Ridge Forest/Arboretum.

• Operates general purpose, specialized farm and heavy power equipment such as tractors, bulldozer/hauling unit, commercial mowers, field vehicles and dump truck. May include the transportation of farm equipment using commercial hauling equipment. 

• Performs basic servicing and maintenance of equipment. 

• Assists with construction projects, maintenance of facilities, and other related/assigned tasks. 

• May assist in felling trees due to safety issues, disease and/or timber harvesting operations. 

• Performs wood construction, electrical, and mechanical-related tasks in support of research and operations. 

• Assists research personnel with research project implementation. 

• Performs farm labor in support of research and agricultural operations. 

• Performs other duties deemed necessary by supervisor.

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.

  • Self-motivated individual. 

  • Ability to follow written and oral instructions. 

  • Ability to successfully work independently and as part of a team. 

  • Ability to professionally interact with those of varying backgrounds and education levels.

  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, and work outdoors in varying weather conditions.

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.

Work Location:

• Location: Oak Ridge, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR04

• Anticipated hiring range: $17-$18/hour

• 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 May 22, 2026.

• Resume

About The College/Department/Division:

The Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center is part of UT AgResearch within the UT Institute of Agriculture. It 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 2,204-acre Oak Ridge Forest in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is headquarters for the UT Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center. Established in 1964, this forest is unique in that, other than the traditional function of conducting forestry and wildlife research on the total property, 250 acres are identified as an Arboretum with a mission of public education and public service. This area features interpretive nature trails and ecological points of interest. The Arboretum is a research, education and demonstration project with a collection of more than 2,500 native and exotic woody plant specimens.