Sheep Foreman

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits eligible

Job summary

Montana State University is seeking a Sheep Foreman under the Livestock Research Technician role to collaborate with the Red Bluff Ranch Manager and livestock operations teams. Responsibilities include managing 350 ewes, leading student crews, and recording production data across cattle, sheep, and horses for research and education at MSU facilities.

The position emphasizes leadership development, routine flock health checks, and use of GPS/activity monitors to optimize operations.

Qualifications

• BS in Animal or Range Sciences or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring and handling sheep and/or cattle.
• Demonstrated experience working with agricultural facilities and equipment.
• Demonstrated experience with equipment operation.
• Desire to develop leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead with sheep extension specialists, researchers, and livestock operations management to manage MAES station sheep.
• Organize student labor, animal health supplies, barn facilities, and lambing prep for 350 ewes.
• Record sheep production data and performance metrics.
• Assist in organizing MSU animal preparation for ram sales and producer events.
• Provide leadership for MSU sheep management and flock health checks.
• Apply GPS/activity monitors for sheep management and health monitoring.
• Support calving and day-to-day livestock health and feeding across cattle and sheep.

Skills

Sheep management

Livestock handling

Facilities equipment

Equipment operation

Leadership potential

Education

BS in Animal/Range Sci

Job description

Position Details

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27091. For questions regarding this position, please contact: Kellen Marlow, [e-mail], 406-600-6095.

Classification Title: Livestock Research Technician. Working Title: Sheep Foreman.

Brief Position Overview: This employee will work closely with the Red Bluff Ranch Manager and Livestock operations management in carrying out day-to-day agricultural operations of approximately 12,000 acres of agricultural land, facilities, and livestock (cattle, sheep, and horses) used in the research and educational activities conducted at the Red Bluff Research Facility (Norris, MT), BART Farm and Fort Ellis. The successful candidate will have a strong desire to develop their skills in sheep production management.

Position Number 4M1438.

Department: Animal & Range Sciences.

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 commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type: Classified.

Salary: If other, please specify.

Recruitment Type: Open.

General Statement

The Red Bluff Ranch is located near Norris in Madison County, Montana, along the west side of the Madison River and is used for both teaching and research. Most of this ranch is rangeland with cattle and sheep maintained year round, as well as limited hay meadows along the valley bottoms. Elevations range from 4,600 feet to 6,200 feet above the Madison River canyon.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with sheep extension specialists, sheep researchers, and livestock operations management team to carry out and implement management of MAES station sheep.
• Take a lead role in organizing student labor, animal health supplies, barn facilities, and overall preparing for and execution of lambing the flock of 350 ewes.
• Take a lead in collecting and recording sheep production records.
• Assist in organizing and preparing MSU animals for rams sales, producer meetings, and other events.
• Provide leadership for management of MSU sheep.
• Flock health, ie. weekly flock health checks, treatments, Body condition scoring (BCS), nutrition and supplementation, grazing management.
• Use of technology to track and manage sheep. Application of GPS/Activity monitors for sheep management.
• Assist in care and monitoring of all livestock calving out 250 cows annually. Participate as part of a team in day-to-day animal health, well-being, and feeding.
• Participate in livestock facility operations, maintenance, and improvements.
• At the direction of the Red Bluff Ranch Manager and Livestock Operations Manager, assist with shop direction and organization, repair of research equipment, and operate and perform maintenance and repair of all haying, farming/ranching, and heavy equipment.
• Participate in all cattle and sheep operations including but not limited to calving, lambing, breeding, weaning, pasture moves, fence and corral maintenance, doctoring, and AACUC guidelines at MSU facilities while practicing low stress livestock handling techniques.
• Participate in feedstuff production, seeding, spraying, irrigating, and harvesting both irrigated and dryland hay.
• Assist with prioritization of equipment scheduling, maintenance, and repair.
• Participate in fence repair.
• Participate in weed control.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• BS in Animal or Range Sciences or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring and handling sheep and/or cattle.
• Demonstrated experience working with agricultural facilities and equipment.
• Demonstrated experience with equipment operation.
• Desire to develop leadership skills.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Documented experience with ranching and livestock operations.
• Documented experience with sheep production and/or research.
• Demonstrated experience with equipment maintenance and minor repairs.
• Proficient with hand tools including welding, metal, and wood work.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Have outstanding communication skills both written and oral.
• Have experience working as a team member.
• Have experience working with minimal supervision to meet deadlines and obligations.
• Have excellent record keeping skills and be detailed oriented.
• Be self-directed and be able to make appropriate decisions in the absence of other leadership.

This position is critical to the research, teaching, and extension effort of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences and the College of Agriculture. The actions of this individual can affect the public perception of the department and the college. The individual hired for this position will have demonstrated the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and the public and will have demonstrated the ability to represent MSU in a productive, professional and courteous manner. This person will have daily contact with the Red Bluff Ranch Manager and any co-workers, frequent contact with the Department Head and Animal and Range Sciences Faculty and graduate students, and routine contact with other MSU faculty, students, professionals, cooperators, and agricultural producers.

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.
• Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid State of Montana Driver’s license and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points) as occasional travel will be required.
• This position is an agriculturally designated position and requires non-traditional work schedules and evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical Demands

• Move parts, equipment, and livestock that weigh up to 150 lbs.
• Work in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
• Move 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.

This position has supervisory duties? No.

Posting Detail Information

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 October 8, 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.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter