Location of Service: UT Office of Sustainability – 2040 Sutherland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37996
About UT Office of Sustainability:
The UT Office of Sustainability is committed to promoting the responsible consumption of human, economic, and environmental resources on the University of Tennessee, Knoxville campus. We use holistic data collection and analysis to inform sustainability initiatives and develop collaborations with campus and community partners to reduce the environmental impacts of the University’s operations, all while engaging the campus community in what it means to Make Orange Green.
Position Summary:
- Act as an assistant to the Compost Supervisor
- Coordinate with various people to organize new and existing food waste collection routes.
- Coordinate compost research and education across campus which includes creating and distributing educational materials on proper compost practices.
- Develop and integrate new ways to expand organic waste collections on campus.
- Oversee and train student worker compost drivers on correct procedures and update their food waste collection routes.
- Work together with Office of Sustainability staff and student workers on Zero Waste Game Days for football in the fall, including working weekends for home games.
- Stage compost bins around Neyland Stadium prior to each home football game.
- Assist with operational duties at the Compost Facility which may include the use of heavy equipment and the following:
- Haul and dump manure trailers
- Handle the food waste collection route when student workers are unavailable
- Provide assistance in the maintenance of heavy equipment
- Take temperatures of compost windrows
- Turn compost windrows using heavy equipment
- Screen compost with trommel screen
- Accurately record collected data
- Assist with miscellaneous projects to improve and keep the site in good condition
- Deliver compost to various partners on and off campus.
- Give tours of Compost Facility to interested parties
- Give presentations to small or large groups about composting on campus or in general.
- Collaborate with Zero Waste Coordinator for planning and hosting Zero Waste events.
- Occasionally assist the Recycling Supervisor with recycling tasks and serve as a representative of the Office of Sustainability at campus and community events that will happen sometimes at night or on the weekend.
- Troubleshoot issues as they arise both as a team or independently.
- Participate in Office of Sustainability projects of varying types
- Assist other team members and Sustainability Manager with various projects and tasks as assigned
The member(s) in this position will have the opportunity to gain the following skills/credentials:
- Supervision
- Public education and leading tours
- Presentations
- Training staff
- Volunteer management
- Heavy equipment usage and maintenance
- Truck and trailer usage
- Route management
Site Preferences/Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in soils science, planning, sustainability, or environmental field strongly preferred
- Valid driver’s license
- Knowledge of sustainability efforts within higher education or community organizations or experience working with a college or university sustainability office
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively on a wide range of tasks
- Ability to create and give presentations to small and large (30+) groups
- Ability to or willingness to learn to drive large trucks, haul trailers, and operate heavy equipment such as a skidsteer, backhoe, and excavator
Equity and Inclusion: The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will take action to ensure that members and employees are treated equally without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender, romantic/sexual orientation, age, handicap, cultural or religious convictions. CAC AmeriCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the recruitment / employment process.