Farm Operations Manager - Central Ag Research Center (CARC)

Montana State University, United States

Updated: 12 days ago
Location: Bozeman, MONTANA
Deadline: ;

Position Details
Position Information


Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 24340
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Patrick Carr
[email protected]
(406) 423-5421
Classification Title Managing Director
Working Title Farm Operations Manager - Central Ag Research Center (CARC)
Brief Position Overview
Manage and carry out all crop and forage production operations at the Central Ag. Research Center (CARC) in support of the research and education programs at the CARC, and in support of efforts across the department. This will involve maintaining all cropland, field roads, shelter belts, rangeland/pastureland, grounds, perimeter fences, and on-site structures at the 600-acre CARC, and interacting effectively with faculty, professional, and support staff from the CARC, other MAES entities, and public and private research collaborators.
Position Number 4C8715
Department AES CARC
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 $50,000-$55,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications (This position is eligible for a 4% salary increase on 07/01/24)
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open

Position Details


General Statement
This position is located at the Montana State University, Central Agricultural Research Center (CARC), approximately 70 miles southeast of Great Falls in central Montana. The farm operations manager (FOM) works closely with the Superintendent, other faculty based at the CARC, the department head, and other cooperating faculty in executing research and education efforts at the center. Duties include planning space allocations between on-site and off-site faculty & staff for crop and livestock management at the CARC, managing day-to-day, agricultural operations activities at the center, and supporting research and educational programming at the CARC and across the department. The FOM maintains plant nutrient and pesticide inventories to ensure that best management practices are followed in executing agricultural research and commercial hay and grain/seed production at the center. The FOM is responsible for overseeing the proper maintenance of equipment and facilities at the CARC. The FOM is a full-time position with an excellent benefits package.
This individual is directly responsible to the Superintendent at the CARC. The person in this position will be expected to work effectively with the Superintendent but will mainly work independently. As the FOM, this individual is responsible for daily supervision of classified employees and student labor not involved in research and outreach at the center, and for maintenance of CARC facilities. This requires familiarity with University policies pertaining to hiring, personnel management, and purchasing of equipment, supplies, and feedstuffs. This position requires an ability in operating commercial-scale farm equipment and a general understanding of field plot research and design, research scale equipment and how and-when research protocols are deployed, and the importance of how decisions being made by the FOM impact the research and other activities executed at the CARC.
The FOM will be responsible for fiscal budget development and expenditures relative to the responsibilities inherent in the position.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Farm Operations Manager (FOM) will work closely and in concert with the Superintendent, with other faculty based at the CARC, with the department head, and with other cooperating faculty in executing research and education efforts at the center. In this role, the FOM will plan space allocations between on-site and off-site faculty & staff for crop and livestock management at the CARC, and manage day-to-day, agricultural operations and activities at the center, within overall budgetary limits. The FOM will interact with the superintendent, other faculty, research professionals, and the Department Head in support of research and educational programming at the CARC and across the department, as well as professionals in foundation seed and commodity crop production.
The FOM will
  • Be the primary liaison with faculty and professional staff on proper equipment operation and upkeep, and space allocation for research and education programming in the absence of the PI for all crop- and animal-related activities
  • Manage all crop-related activities at the CARC, working in concert with the Superintendent, other faculty, and professional staff where appropriate. Among other duties, the FOM will:

  • Maintain soil nutrient inventories and prescriptions via field sampling;
  • Plant, manage and harvest commodity and foundation seed production fields;
  • Provide assistance to research investigators in planning, planting, managing, harvesting, and processing research plots per project protocol;
  • Be responsible for requisition and application of fertilizer per prescriptions for commodity production fields, and in research fields via other specific protocols as instructed by research investigators;
  • Be responsible for requisition and application of farm chemicals (e.g., pesticides) per determined need for commodity crop production fields, and in research fields via specific research protocols, as well as maintain the chemical inventory at the CARC; and
  • Be responsible for requisition and application of all rodent controls at the CARC.
    • Plan and coordinate the timely custom planting, management, and harvesting of commodity crops, hay land, and pasture land at the CARC, as appropriate.
    • Responsible for all daily decisions on non-research (i.e., farm) related activities including crop production, farm and grounds employee assignments, and equipment repair and replacement.
    • Be responsible for leading and coordinating safety training for all faculty and staff at the CARC, facility inspections, worker protection standards and other safety related trainings and education.
    • Interact effectively with the Department Head, Superintendent, other faculty and professionals in managing crop-related farm activities on MAES owned and leased land associated with the CARC, in support of the research and education programs of the center and the department.
    • Manage seed stocks storage facilities (seed bins, seed warehouse); coordinate the use, maintenance and repair of crop-related vehicles and equipment including all research equipment; coordinate the use and scheduling of shop facilities; and provide oversight of the Il CARC Farm Mechanic.
    • Manage field crops production and grounds-related support personnel; will hire, train, provide safety education and supervise support personnel affiliated with field crop production, and associated equipment and facility maintenance activities; and will manage and train personnel, implement and supervise facility repair, and direct lawn/ground and building maintenance. These personnel will include the Farm Mechanic and may also include other full-time classified, part-time classified and seasonal hourly labor.
    • Be responsible for maintaining all structures and facilities at the Center, making the Superintendent aware of any necessary repairs, and assisting the Superintendent in maintaining facilities assessments records and prioritizing repairs and replacement schedules.
    • Maintain detailed 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; and Fuel use of vehicles and equipment at the center.
    Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • A Bachelor’s degree in agronomy or related agricultural field OR 5 or more years of employment providing comparable training.
  • Demonstrated experience in operating modern, commercial-scale equipment on dryland wheat farms in the North American Great Plains.
  • Demonstrated experience managing farm enterprises including facilities.
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing budgets.
  • General knowledge of field crop research.
    		•
    Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Master of Science degree in an agriculture-related discipline with applied field experience OR 10 or more years of employment providing comparable training.
  • At least 3 years of experience working in crop management at an off-campus university research center or similar facility in the U.S. Northern Great Plains or comparable region.
  • Demonstrated experience in farm- and research-scale equipment maintenance and repair.
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting annual employee performance reviews.
  • Documented hands-on experience with GPS and the precision application of nutrients or herbicides.
  • Demonstrated experience with dryland crop rotations including cool-season cereal, pulse, and oilseed grain/seed crops and annual/biennial/perennial forages and associated pest management practices.
    		•
    The Successful Candidate Will
    • Be an enthusiastic individual who possesses a wide breadth of knowledge of field crop research, general crop production and farm & ranch operations.
    • Have extensive knowledge of farm implements, equipment, tools, and facilities.
    • Effectively communicate with faculty, researchers, staff, and students, and will successfully motivate and supervise staff.
    • Have excellent organizational skills and be a critical thinker who can effectively prioritize and manage several projects at once. Further, the successful candidate can work effectively alone, in small teams, and with large groups.
    • Maintain detailed electronic records and manage resources effectively.
    • Work effectively with varied constituents.
    Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
    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
    • Transport and move commodities, parts and equipment weighing up to 75 lbs.
    • Work in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
    • Work at elevated positions (examples: elevator legs, grain bins, equipment).
    • Work in dusty conditions.
    • Work with and 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 6 months of hire.
    • Seasonal weekend and/or evening hours in conjunction with farming activities.
    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 May 21, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
    Special Instructions
    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