Field Research Assistant II

Montana State University

Miles City (MT)

On-site

USD 23,000 - 28,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

Montana State University Fort Keogh is seeking an agricultural technician to assist in research on livestock and rangeland management. The role includes night calving support, fence construction and repair, weed and prairie dog control in rangeland settings, and general cattle operations.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, knowledge of calving cattle and livestock care, and experience with ranch equipment.

Qualifications

High school diploma or GED required.
Knowledge of calving cattle and livestock health care.
Experience operating tractors, skid steers and other ranch equipment.
Knowledge of building and repairing cattle fences and related equipment.
Awareness of workplace safety procedures.
Experience with beef cattle operations.

Responsibilities

Night calving (March–April) and assist with difficult births; know when to call a veterinarian.
Build and repair cattle fences.
Noxious weed control in rangeland using field sprayer or 4-wheeler sprayer; prairie dog control in rangeland pastures.
Snow removal, ditch cleaning, irrigation, operate haying machinery, hauling irrigation pipe, feeding cattle.
Assist cow crew with calving, branding, weaning and shipping seasons; move cattle calmly; ride horses as needed.

Skills

High school diploma or GED

Calving cattle knowledge

Livestock health care knowledge

Farm equipment operation

Fence building and repair

Workplace safety procedures

Accurate record keeping

Beef cattle operations experience

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Farm & ranch equipment operation

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27151

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

This position is located in Miles City, MT. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the conduct of research in the scientific fields of reproductive physiology, cattle nutrition, and rangeland management. The position will also assist the crews responsible for the care and management of livestock. This position’s primary responsibility will be to control the spread of noxious weeds in both rangeland and cropland settings as well as controlling prairie dog populations in rangeland pastures. Additional duties will include rebuilding and repairing all fences on Fort Keogh. Night calving heifers at the horse barn from March until April.

Position Number

Position Number 4M0289

Department

Department AES LARRS

Division

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation AFSCME

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary Salary range of $16.34 to $20.425 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

As an employee of MSU -Ag Experiment Station-Fort Keogh, you will work alongside other MSU employees and USDA employees conducting research in livestock and range management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary Duties of this position included:

Night Calving (March – April) – Recognize and administer obstetrical assistance in difficult births and other problems associated with calving cattle and have knowledge to know when to call for assistance from the veterinarian when the condition warrants.
Building and repairing cattle fences.
Rangeland noxious weed control using field sprayer mounted in pickup or on a 4-wheeler.
Rangeland prairie dog control using an applicator mounted on a 4-wheeler.

Secondary Duties as needed/when time allows:

Snow removal, cleaning ditches, irrigation, operate haying machinery, haul irrigation pipe, change water, and putting out supplements or feed for cattle.
Assist cow crew as needed with working or feeding cattle during calving, branding, weaning and shipping seasons. Tasks may include riding horses and moving/handling cattle in a calm low stress manner from pasture to pasture or in working facilities.
Other duties included as assigned

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

High school diploma or G.E.D.
Have general knowledge of calving cattle and knowledge of livestock health care.
Basic experience with operation of farm and ranch equipment such as tractors, skid steers, and equipment mounted on them.
Knowledge and/or experience in building and repairing cattle fences and the equipment associated with building fences.
Knowledge of workplace safety procedures.
Knowledge and/or experience of accurate record keeping.
Experience with beef cattle operations.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

A state approved Montana (or other entity) pesticide applicator license, along with a working knowledge of pesticides, their application and safe uses.
Knowledge of crop and noxious weed identification.
Experience with both large-scale and handheld sprayers. Experience with sprayer calibrating and maintaining sprayers at the correct volume and pressure.
Experience accurately recording, filing, and monitoring detailed records.
Knowledgeable in assessing and treating livestock ailments.

The Successful Candidate Will

Have great communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
Exercise initiative and independent judgement in day to day activities.
Have the ability to prioritize duties, as well as possess time management skills.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This position is required to obtain a pesticide operator license within 6 months of hire. MSU will pay certification/recertification fees.
Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid State of Montana Driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points).

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

With or without reasonable accommodation; the person in this position must be able to:

Maneuver parts, equipment, and livestock that weigh up to 150 lbs.
Work in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
Navigate on slippery or uneven terrain.
Work with and around pesticides and dust-born particles.
Work with and around hazardous machinery that is extremely loud.
Handle and work with unpredictable livestock that can cause serious injury.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties?

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on November 13, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

Required Documents