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Composting Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Raking, mulching, and composting leaves. * Following planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage. * Planting seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering ...

Groundskeeping Laborer

Memphis, TN ยท On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

Raking, mulching, and composting leaves. * Following planned landscaping designs to determine where to lay sod, sow grass, or plant flowers or foliage. * Planting seeds, bulbs, foliage, flowering ...

Partner with the sustainability lead on waste diversion programs (recycling, composting, landfill reduction), ensuring housekeeping crews and vendors execute against established standards * Support ...

Team Member

Brentwood, TN ยท On-site

$11.25 - $15/hr

We are working on reducing food waste through donation efforts, animal feed, and composting programs. Krispy Kreme is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At Krispy Kreme, we believe that your originality ...

Doughnut Decorator

Brentwood, TN ยท On-site

$13.25 - $17/hr

We are working on reducing food waste through donation efforts, animal feed, and composting programs.? Krispy Kreme is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At Krispy Kreme, we believe that your originality ...

Doughnut Decorator

Knoxville, TN

$11.50 - $14.75/hr

We are working on reducing food waste through donation efforts, animal feed, and composting programs. Krispy Kreme is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At Krispy Kreme, we believe that your originality ...

Shift Supervisor

Memphis, TN ยท On-site

$13.50 - $17/hr

We are working on reducing food waste through donation efforts, animal feed, and composting programs. Krispy Kreme is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At Krispy Kreme, we believe that your originality ...

Sanitation Operator

Memphis, TN ยท On-site

$13.75 - $16.50/hr

We are working on reducing food waste through donation efforts, animal feed, and composting programs. Krispy Kreme is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At Krispy Kreme, we believe that your originality ...

Doughnut Decorator

Sevierville, TN ยท On-site

$11.75 - $15.25/hr

We are working on reducing food waste through donation efforts, animal feed, and composting programs. Krispy Kreme is an Equal Opportunity Employer: At Krispy Kreme, we believe that your originality ...

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Showing results 1-20

Composting information

See Tennessee salary details

$45.4K

$89.7K

$147K

How much do composting jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for composting in Tennessee is $89,721.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,300.00 and $108,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you make money composting?

Composting as a job can generate income through services like waste collection, consulting, or operating composting facilities. Earnings depend on the scale of the operation, location, and expertise, with some composters earning a full-time income or supplementing other environmental work. Developing skills in waste management and understanding local regulations can improve earning potential.

What is the highest paying ecology job?

In ecology-related fields, senior roles such as ecological consultants, environmental managers, and conservation directors tend to have the highest salaries. These positions often require advanced degrees, extensive experience, and specialized skills in environmental assessment, project management, or policy development.

What is a Composting job?

A composting job involves managing organic waste to create nutrient-rich compost for agricultural, landscaping, or environmental purposes. Responsibilities may include collecting and processing organic materials, monitoring compost piles for proper decomposition, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Workers may operate machinery, conduct quality checks, and educate the public or businesses on composting practices. This role is essential for reducing waste, improving soil health, and promoting sustainable waste management.

What are the typical daily responsibilities for someone working in composting operations?

In a composting role, your daily responsibilities may include collecting and sorting organic waste, monitoring compost piles for proper moisture and temperature, and regularly turning or aerating the material to ensure optimal decomposition. You might also be responsible for recording process data, performing quality checks on finished compost, and maintaining equipment or cleanliness of the composting area. This position often involves collaboration with waste management teams, educational outreach staff, or agricultural personnel, depending on the employer. Attention to detail and following proper safety protocols are essential to ensure high-quality results and compliance with environmental regulations.

What jobs will no longer exist in 2030?

In 2030, traditional waste management roles such as manual composting labor may decline due to automation and advanced composting technologies. Jobs focused on manual sorting and basic waste collection could decrease as robotics and AI systems become more prevalent in environmental sustainability efforts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Composting position, and why are they important?

To thrive in composting roles, candidates need knowledge of organic waste management, soil science, and safe handling of biodegradable materials, often supported by experience or certifications in environmental science or agriculture. Familiarity with composting systems, moisture and temperature monitoring tools, and, in some cases, industrial composting machinery is important. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to sustainability are valuable soft skills for excelling in this position. These competencies ensure efficient and safe composting operations, contributing to environmental goals and effective waste management.

What is a compost job?

A composting job involves managing the process of turning organic waste into compost, which can be used as fertilizer. Workers may operate equipment, monitor temperature and moisture levels, and ensure proper decomposition, often working outdoors or in compost facilities. Basic knowledge of waste management and environmental practices is helpful for this role.
What are the most commonly searched types of Composting jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Composting jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Composting jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Composting job openings:
Compost Operations Specialist - Facilities Services - UTK

Compost Operations Specialist - Facilities Services - UTK

The University of Tennessee

Knoxville, TN โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


Job description


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.
Responsibilities
  • 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.

Qualifications
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.
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!