Sheep Foreman

Montana State University; Montana; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University’s Red Bluff Ranch near Norris, MT, seeks a dedicated livestock operations supervisor to support teaching and research in animal & range sciences. You will work with extension specialists and livestock managers to oversee sheep and cattle operations and to organize student labor and facilities.

You will lead lambing for 350 ewes, collect production data, manage animal health, and coordinate with sales and events while applying low-stress handling and GPS-based monitoring.

Qualifications

• BS in Animal or Range Sciences or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Lead sheep management operations with extension specialists and livestock management.
• Organize student labor, animal health supplies, barn facilities, and lambing for 350 ewes.
• Collect and record sheep production data.
• Organize and prepare MSU animals for ram sales, producer meetings, and events.
• Provide leadership for MSU sheep management.
• Monitor flock health, nutrition, grazing, and body condition scoring.
• Use GPS/activity monitors for sheep management.
• Assist in calving 250 cows annually and day-to-day animal care.

Education

BS in Animal or Range Sciences or closely related field

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27091

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

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

Position Number 4M1438

Department

Department Animal & Range Sciences

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 Exempt

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

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 Managerand 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.
• Dem