Livestock and Farm Assistant Manager

Montana State University, United States

Updated: about 2 months ago
Location: Bozeman, MONTANA
Deadline: ;

Position Details
Position Information


Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 24083
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Emi Smith at emi.smith@montana.edu or 406-265-6115
Classification Title Research/Lab Mgr
Working Title Livestock and Farm Assistant Manager
Brief Position Overview
The successful candidate will assist the Livestock and Farm Operations Managers with all operations. This position is to assist with the successful management and delegation of work that needs performed throughout the year at Northern Agricultural Research Center in Havre, MT.
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 commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type Classified Salary
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open

Position Details


General Statement
This employee will work closely in concert with the Livestock and Farm Operations Managers in carrying out day-to-day agricultural operations management activities, within overall budgetary limits, along with daily assignments of permanent and temporary employees at NARC. This person, in collaboration with Superintendent and the two Operations Managers, will need to prioritize and delegate work orders. 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties include but are not limited to:
  • Participate in day to day animal health, well-being, and feeding activities.
  • Participate in livestock facility operations, maintenance, and improvements.
  • Hire and supervise student labor for calving, livestock feeding and health, and facility maintenance.
  • 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.
  • Keep accurate production records including hay and purchased feedstuffs.
  • 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 relative to feedlot research studies.
  • Train and supervise other employees under the direct supervision of the livestock and farm operations managers
  • Participate in all 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.
  • Participate in feedstuff production, irrigating, raking, baling, of both irrigated and dryland hay.
  • Assist farm operations manager in seeding, spraying, irrigating, and harvest of small grains or other planted crops.
  • Participate in livestock watering maintenance, cleaning of pens and manure, and be able to run and maintain equipment for composting procedures.
  • Assist livestock and farm operations managers to plan, execute, and perform safety meetings for all livestock operations employees on a regular basis.
  • Assist and coordinate with all research projects as the need arises.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Bachelor’s degree in Animal or 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 operating all large, heavy, or small equipment typical of farm and ranch operations.
    		•
    Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • 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.


    This position is critical to the research effort of NARC. The data must be collected with care and accuracy because the quality of data collected affects final research results. The actions of this individual can affect the public perception of this research facility. 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 local faculty animal and plant scientists and co-workers, frequent contact with the Superintendent and other NARC scientists, 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 have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points) as occasional travel will be required.
    • This position often requires work in the evenings and/or weekends.


    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
    • Maneuvering parts, equipment, and livestock that weigh 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 serious injury.
    • Working livestock while on horseback- must be able to handle horses in and around all ranch environments.
    • Working in elevated positions (example: 90’ elevator legs or large grain bins).


    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above 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 September 21, 2023; 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

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