Maintenance Specialist, Lone Oaks Farm, UT Extension: UTIA

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Tennessee, USA

Posted on Apr 22, 2026

This position operates all heavy equipment necessary for the operation of the Farm, including bulldozers, backhoes, dump trucks, road graders, and high-lifts. This position will be further responsible for all maintenance of such equipment. If the facilities manager is unavailable, this position is responsible for all facility operations.

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!
Lone Oaks Farm is a 1,200-acre working farm with multiple facets. Lone Oaks Farm includes a 4H and Youth Development Center, a sport-shooting complex, agriculture operations consisting of cattle, hay, and forestry, and resort operations/group events. As the facility expands, the Farm needs to grow its maintenance capacity. The maintenance position works to provide a well-maintained, safe, clean, and attractive environment throughout the Farm. The appearance of the facility is instrumental in recruiting businesses and industries, and other individuals to use our facilities and in creating a favorable impression of Lone Oaks Farm, Extension, the Institute of Agriculture, and the University of Tennessee. This position will perform maintenance on the facilities, equipment, plumbing, HVAC, refrigeration, and electrical systems within the scope of the position holder's knowledge and abilities.

Required Qualifications:

  • Education:

    • High school diploma.

  • Experience:

    • Minimum of five years of maintenance experience.

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Must have a working knowledge in the areas of small engine repair, large engine repair, HVAC, basic refrigeration, and electrical circuits.

    • Basic plumbing.

    • Landscape/grounds keeping experience.

    • Mechanical skills.

    • Ability to operate small equipment-chainsaw, hedge trimmers, power tools, etc.

    • Ability to read and comprehend maintenance manuals.

    • Must have good math skills, good communication skills, and be a team player.

    • Ability to work with the general public daily.

    • Ability to self-start.

    • Knowledge and ability to maintain good working relations with co-workers and outside groups.

    • Working knowledge of various equipment.

    • Ability to multi-task.

    • Ability to communicate well with others.

    • Able to maintain a flexible work schedule, and have excellent customer service skills.

    • Valid Driver’s License.

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:

    • Some college/technical school.

  • Experience:
    • At least ten years of maintenance-related experience.

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Knowledge of equipment operation, such as tractors, backhoes, forklifts, etc.

    • Ability to perform manual labor such as climbing ladders, painting, carpentry, plumbing, electrical wiring, and digging.

    • Ability to read and follow plans/schematics.

    • Keep accurate maintenance and inventory records.

    • Knowledge of basic computer skills.

    • Ability to work well under pressure, in varying weather conditions, and able to work independently and as part of a team.

Work Location:

  • Location: Middleton, TN

  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

  • UT market range: MR07

  • 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 attachments noted below.

  • Resume

  • Cover Letter

About The College/Department/Division:

UT Extension provides a gateway to the University of Tennessee as the outreach unit of the Institute of Agriculture. With an office in every Tennessee County, UT Extension delivers educational programs and research-based information to citizens throughout the state. In cooperation with Tennessee State University, UT Extension works with farmers, families, youth and communities, to improve lives by addressing problems and issues at the local, state and national levels.

  • Support all of Lone Oaks Farm including, but not limited to: cost estimation, layout, and installation of maintenance projects; coordination of contractors, locating and mapping of Lone Oaks Farm underground utility infrastructure; installation and repair of underground utilities; inspection of sewer systems monthly to make sure floats, control panels and septic fields are operational; maintain electrical systems such as lighting repair and upgrades, electrical panels, motors, starters, and electrical disconnect preventative maintenance as well as materials handling.

  • Assist in creating maintenance priority lists with the maintenance supervisor, research pricing, pickup, delivery, and installation of repair/replacement parts and equipment. This position will support maintenance of efficient and effective operations and upkeep of the Lone Oaks Farm property, buildings, and grounds, including, but not limited to, electrical, HVAC, basic refrigeration, plumbing, and storm and sanitary sewage systems. This position will troubleshoot and repair, or coordinate work with outside contractors; pull permits as needed for electrical projects; and coordinate with TN One Call, utility companies, and the State Electrical Inspector. Preventive maintenance will include cold-weather walk-through preparation and checks of all buildings for water leaks, damage, and temperature. Regular inspection of property for safety concerns, as well as laying out safe work areas; assisting with the inspection of farm equipment for safety concerns and operations, painting, pressure washing, and staining woodwork, and assisting with vehicle maintenance.

  • Assist in any agricultural tasks at the Farm (livestock work, hay production and storage, etc.) as needed, particularly during critical times for this work.

  • Other duties as assigned. Potential assistance would include transportation for youth during STEM programming and/or 4-H camp, and workforce opportunities through youth development programming.

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