Research Assistant III

Montana State University, United States

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

Position Details
Position Information


Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 24246
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Kelley Kane
[email protected]
406-994-5097
Classification Title Research Asst III
Working Title Research Assistant III
Brief Position Overview
Under the supervision of the JFL facility director and the JFL facility manager, the person in this position will perform duties relating to the care of livestock used in research and teaching. Responsibilities include: feeding livestock; cleaning livestock pens, assessing health of animals; assisting with research procedures; sterilizing supplies; decontaminating livestock pens and bio-hazard waste; supervise RA II and student employees, trains employees on all procedures and ensure compliance to all procedures as necessary; assist with collection of specimens, blood draws, operation of endoscopes; Assisting in a laboratory preparation room sterilizing supplies and decontaminating contaminants; related duties as assigned.
Position Number 4M1037
Department Microbiology & Cell Biology
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
Montana State University values a broad array of experiences and perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally RICH campus environment. Members of groups traditionally underrepresented in this field are encouraged to apply. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Feeding livestock.
  • Assess the health of the livestock including while under active research projects and all responses seen in an animal from specific research procedures.
  • Maintain detailed livestock records for each animal.
  • Supervise up to 5 student employees in animal care duties and preparation room responsibilities. Train student employee staff in all job responsibilities.
  • Assist with research procedures and the aseptic collection of blood and tissues; operation of endoscopes, completing technical/medical procedures such as catheterization of veins, euthanasia.
  • Operating gravity displacement sterilizers, gas autoclaves, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide generators to sterilize supplies, decontaminating bio-hazard waste, and decontaminating livestock areas.
  • Thorough understanding of biosafety levels and biohazard procedures and the ability to train employees on biohazard procedures.
  • Familiarity with breeding livestock including synchronization processes.
  • Lambing and calving experience. The ability to work the necessary hours to successfully lamb or calve. i.e., nightshifts, weekends, holidays, etc.
  • Teach standard lab safety work practices and ensure compliance with all SOPs.
  • Operation of common farm equipment such as a skid steer, tractor, etc.
  • Assist WIMU instructors as needed.
  • Oversee student employee work hours.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • One-year secondary education plus one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) livestock experience or an equal combination of education and experience.
  • Experience in maintaining detailed records.
  • Computer proficiency.
  • The ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
  • Demonstrated supervisory experience.
    		•
    Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Know how to tube feed animals, ability to recognize and relieve bloat in ruminants.
  • Ability to operate an endoscope.
  • Demonstrated experience handling bio-hazard waste.
  • Demonstrated experience safely operating commercial-type sterilizer and knowledge of general sterilization and decontamination techniques and procedures.
  • Ability to recognize common diseases of livestock and general knowledge of antibiotics
  • Able to administer oral, SQ, IM and IV medications and maintain IV lines.
  • Experience in preparing animals for surgery and operation of gas anesthetic machines, and monitor anesthesia for an animal.
  • Demonstrated experience in completing technical/medical procedures such as catheterization of veins and lymph vessels, euthanasia, etc.
  • Experience operating both steam/high-pressure and gas commercial/research sterilizers and the decontamination processes. Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, record keeping, biological indicator validation.
    		•
    The Successful Candidate Will
    • Be comfortable giving and receiving constructive criticism and feedback.
    • Have the ability to consistently exercise initiative and good judgment.
    • effectively operate work related equipment.
    • The ability to communicate effectively with employees and the public both in person and over the phone.
    • The ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and others in a team-oriented environment.
    • Be able to represent the department of Microbiology and Cell Biology and its programs in a professional and courteous manner.
    Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
    • Will be on-call for after hour emergencies with students when facility director and facility manager are unavailable.
    • Have ability to cover weekend and holiday shifts; will cover student call offs if necessary.
    • Will have exposure to zoonotic pathogens.


    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
    • The ability to maneuver 75lbs.
    • Be stationary for long periods of time.
    • Ability to work outdoors in inclement and extreme weather conditions typical of Bozeman, MT.


    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? No

    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 February 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