Farm Operations Manager – Western Triangle Ag Research Center (Conrad, MT)

Montana State University, United States

Updated: about 16 hours ago
Location: Bozeman, MONTANA
Deadline: ;

Position Details
Position Information


Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 24209
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Justin Vetch
[email protected]
406-278-7707
Classification Title Managing Director
Working Title Farm Operations Manager – Western Triangle Ag Research Center (Conrad, MT)
Brief Position Overview
The Farm Operations Manager (FOM) at the Western Triangle Ag Research Center (WTARC) located at Conrad, MT will work closely and in concert with the Superintendent, Department Head, on-site faculty, other cooperating faculty as well as professionals in executing research and education efforts at the center. This position is expected to work primarily independently. It is responsible for daily supervision of classified employees and student labor, and for maintenance of WTARC facilities and will be the primary liaison for all crop related activities and projects.
Position Number 4C1635
Department AES WTARC
Division College of Agriculture/MAES
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary $55,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open

Position Details


General Statement
The Western Triangle Ag Research Center consists of 75 acres and serves agricultural producers by conducting relevant research in cereals, oilseeds, pulses and forage crops and disseminates the garnered information to general public.
The current research center staff is comprised of one superintendent/agronomist, 2 research assistants, an entomologist, and one part time administrative assistant. A local advisory board made up of area producers and industry representatives from the surrounding counties, provides guidance on WTARC research priorities.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Help manage space and resources allocations in the research center.
  • Manage day-to-day operations, and safety and safety training at the center; working in concert with the Superintendent, other faculty, and professional staff.
  • Conducts soil sampling for testing and fertilizer amendment.
  • Plant, manage and harvest commodity and foundation seed production fields.
  • Provide assistance to researchers in the planning, planting, in-season managing and harvesting.
  • Maintains inventory of pesticides and fertilizers at WTARC.
  • Strategically plan and coordinate the timely planting, management, and harvesting.
  • Maintenance and repair WTARC vehicles and equipment.
  • Maintain and coordinate repair of WTARC grounds and facilities.
  • Be responsible for maintaining farms records of:
    • Pesticide applications, carryover restrictions, and other associated information that impacts crop ground management.
    • Soil nutrient inventories and fertilizer applications.
    • Crop yields and associated storage of commodities produced. Foundation Seed Production and storage.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Two year associate degree OR an equivalent amount of applicable experience.
  • Knowledge of mechanical maintenance of vehicles and farm equipment.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing farm enterprises.
  • Demonstrated dryland crop production experience.
    		•
    Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing budgets.
  • Demonstrated ability to maintain detailed records and inventories.
  • Documented hands-on experience with application of nutrients or herbicides.
  • Demonstrated experience or education with cereal crop rotations and forages and associated pest management practices.
    		•
    The Successful Candidate Will
    • Interact effectively with the Department Head, Superintendent, other faculty and professionals.
    • Communicate effectively, both written and oral skills.
    • Work effectively with varied constituents.
    Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
    • This position is located in Conrad, MT.
    • Possess or have the ability to obtain a Government Montana Pesticide Applicators License within 3 months of hire.
    • Position requires seasonal weekend and/or evening hours in conjunction with farming activities.


    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
    • Ability to maneuver commodities, parts and equipment weighing up to 100 lbs.
    • Position requires working in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
    • Working at elevated positions (examples: elevator legs, grain bins, equipment).
    • Working in dusty conditions and with or around pesticides.
    • Working with and around loud and/or other noisy equipment.
    • Possess or have the ability to obtain a Montana Drivers License.
    • Possess or have the ability to obtain a Government Montana Pesticide Applicators License within 3 months of hire.


    Position requires seasonal weekend and/or evening hours in conjunction with farming activities.
    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed in this description are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
    This position has supervisory duties? Yes

    Posting Detail Information


    Number of Vacancies 1
    Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
    Position End Date (if temporary)
    Open Date
    Close Date
    Applications will be:
    Screening of applications will begin on January 26, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
    Special Instructions
    • This position is located in Conrad, MT.
    Diversity Statement
    Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.
    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.
    MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html