Livestock and Farm Assistant Manager *Havre, MT*

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement seeks a Livestock and Farm Assistant Manager to support day-to-day operations at the NARC facility in Havre, MT. The role collaborates with managers to ensure safe livestock handling and efficient farm processes.

The position emphasizes supervision of student workers, equipment maintenance, and accurate record keeping for hay, feeds, and livestock research, with pesticide license requirements as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Animal Science, Range Sciences or closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience with cattle handling, behavior, husbandry, and modern management knowledge and skills.
• Experience managing facilities and equipment.
• Experience supervising undergraduate student employees.
• Experience operating and maintaining large or small equipment typical of farm and ranch operations.
• Experience in feedstuff production, irrigating, raking, baling hay and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Participate in feedstuff production, irrigating, raking, baling hay across irrigated and dryland operations.
• Assist farm operations manager with seeding, spraying, irrigating, and harvesting crops.
• Repair and maintain research equipment; manage shop records and equipment scheduling.
• Supervise student labor and coordinate daily tasks in livestock and facility operations.
• Record keeping for hay, feeds, and livestock data; support livestock feeding protocols and research data collection.

Skills

Cattle handling

Facilities management

supervising students

Equipment operation

Feedstuff production

Education

Associate degree in Animal Science or related field

Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science or related field

Job description

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26440 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Robert Brown

[e-mail]

406-265-6115

or

Darrin Boss

[e-mail]

406-265-6115

Classification Title Research/Lab Mgr Working Title Livestock and Farm Assistant Manager *Havre, MT* Brief Position Overview

The employee will interact with research professionals, faculty, the Superintendent, and the Department Head in general support of the commodity production, research, and educational programs of the research center and the department.

Position Number 4M0795 Department AES NARC Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary range of $23.684/hr - $29.604/hr, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

This employee will work closely in concert with the Livestock and Farm Operations Managers in conducting day-to-day agricultural operations management activities, within overall budgetary limits, along with daily assignments of temporary employees at NARC. This person, in collaboration with Superintendent and the two Operations Managers, will need to prioritize and perform job duties for proper management of NARC.

Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Participate in feedstuff production, irrigating, raking, baling, of both irrigated and dryland hay.
• Assist farm operations manager in seeding, spraying, irrigating, and harvesting small grains or other planted crops.
• In collaboration with Operations Managers and Mechanic, assist with shop direction & organization, repair of research equipment and operate and perform daily maintenance of all haying, farming/ranching and heavy equipment at NARC.
• Maintain and oversee all shop database records and assist with prioritization of equipment scheduling, maintenance, and repair.
• Participate in day-to-day animal health, well-being, and feeding activities.
• Participate in livestock facility operations, maintenance, and improvements.
• Assist with supervision of student labor for calving, livestock feeding and health, and facility maintenance.
• Keep accurate production records including hay and purchased feedstuffs.
• In collaboration with the Livestock Operations Manager, develop appropriate livestock feeding protocols and keep accurate records of harvested feeds and supplements fed.
• Implementing studies, managing the cattle operations including daily feeding, collecting feed samples, processing feedlot rations, determining daily feed rates, and collecting data related to feedlot research studies.
• Participate in livestock watering maintenance, cleaning of pens and manure, and being able to run and maintain equipment for composting procedures.
• In the absence of operations managers, train and supervise other employees under the direct supervision of the livestock and farm operations managers.
• Participate in cattle operations including but not limited to calving, breeding, weaning, pasture moves, fence and corral maintenance, doctoring, and AACUC guidelines at MSU facilities while practicing low stress livestock handling techniques.
• Assist livestock and farm operations managers to plan, execute, and perform safety meetings for all livestock operations employees on a regular basis.
• Assist and lead safety meetings and training.
• Assist and coordinate with all research projects as the need arises.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Associates Degree in Animal Science, Range Sciences or closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Demonstrated experience with cattle handling, behavior, husbandry, and modern management knowledge and skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing facilities and equipment.
• Demonstrated experience supervising employees, primarily undergraduate student employees.
• Demonstrated experience of operating and maintenance and repairs with all large, heavy, or small equipment typical of farm and ranch operations.
• Demonstrated experience in feedstuff production, irrigating, raking, baling, of both irrigated and dryland hay and the equipment associated with that production practice.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, Crop Science, Ag Mechanics, or closely related field.
• Experience as an Ag or Heavy Equipment mechanic.
• Previous experience in developing or managing budgets and fiscal accounts.
• Experience in conducting or collaborating with agricultural research.
• Documented experience with Low Stress Cattle Handling procedures.
• Experience and understanding of university purchasing and other guidelines.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Have outstanding communication skills both written and oral both as a leader and a co-worker.
• Have excellent record keeping skills and will be detailed oriented.
• Be self-directed; and be able to make appropriate decisions in the absence or other leadership.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• Must have, or be able to obtain, a research and demonstration pesticide license for agricultural plant pests and vertebrate classification.
• Travel and work outside of regular business hours is required, including some evenings and weekends.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.) Do NOT send a copy of the driver’s license.

Physical Demands

• Maneuvering parts, equipment, and livestock weighing up to 150 lbs.
• Working in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
• Walking on slippery or uneven terrain.
• Working with and around pesticides and dust born particles.
• Working with and around hazardous machinery that is extremely loud.
• Handling and working with unpredictable livestock that can cause severe injury.
• Working livestock while on horseback – must be able to manage horses in and around all ranch environments.
• Working in elevated positions (example: 90’ elevator legs or large grain bins).

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be:

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.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).