Job Information
Montana State University Livestock Operations/Feedlot and Calving Coordinator *Havre, MT* in Bozeman, Montana
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25253
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Emi Smith
emi.smith@montana.edu
406-265-6115
Classification Title Research/Lab Mgr
Working Title Livestock Operations/Feedlot and Calving Coordinator Havre, MT
Brief Position Overview
This employee will work closely with the Livestock and Farm Operations Manager in carrying out day-to-day agricultural operations and management activities. This person, in collaboration with the Superintendent and the two Operations Managers, will need to prioritize and delegate work orders, give daily assignments to temporary and student employees, and operate within overall budgetary limits.
The Feedlot Coordinator 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. Be the lead worker for feeding, collecting data & feed samples, processing feedlot rations, determining daily feed rates, and collecting data relative to feedlot research studies.
The Calving Coordinator 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. This person will be the lead worker for calving, calving data collection and calving protocols.
Position Number Feedlot Coordinator: 4M2169 / Calving Coordinator: 4M0223
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 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Livestock Operations/Feedlot Coordinator Position:
Be the lead worker for feeding, collecting data & feed samples, processing feedlot rations, determining daily feed rates, and collecting data relative to feedlot research studies.
Train and supervise other employees and, in the absence of the livestock operations manager, make independent decisions regarding the feedlot operations and facilities.
Perform farm and ranch labor support for the research programs, including routine livestock management procedures without direct supervision.
Participate in feedstuff production, seeding, spraying, irrigating, and harvesting both irrigated and dryland hay.
Observe, assist, collect and record data daily which includes weighing calves, tagging, recording all information, moving to designated pasture, day to day animal health, well-being and keeping accurate pasture inventories.
Participate in livestock facility operations, maintenance, and improvements.
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 .
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.
Utilize horses for data collection and livestock management, plus maintain horses for other researchers.
Assist livestock and farm operations managers to plan, execute, and perform safety meetings for all livestock operations employees on a regular basis.
Assist in maintaining shop database records and assist with prioritization of equipment scheduling, maintenance, and repair.
Assist and coordinate with all research projects as the need arises.
Assist with ground maintenance (mowing spraying, plowing snow) as the need arises.
Assist with livestock facility maintenance including manure clean up and composting procedures as well as field applying compost to Ag fields as needed.
Ability to diagnose and treat diseases and sickness in cattle.
Assist in breeding protocols and artificial insemination of livestock herd.
Assist with Calving coordinator duties as the need arises.
Livestock Operations/Calving Coordinator Position:
Being the lead worker for calving, calving data collection and calving protocols.
Train and supervise other employees and, in the absence of the livestock operations manager, make independent decisions regarding the calving operations and facilities.
Perform farm and ranch labor support for the research programs, including routine livestock management procedures without direct supervision.
Participate in feedstuff production, seeding, spraying, irrigating, and harvesting both irrigated and dryland hay.
Observe, assist, collect and record data daily which includes weighing calves, tagging, recording all information, moving to designated pasture, day to day animal health, well-being and keeping accurate pasture inventories.
Participate in livestock facility operations, maintenance, and improvements.
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.
Utilize horses for data collection and livestock management, plus maintain horses for other researchers.
Assist livestock and farm operations managers to plan, execute, and perform safety meetings for all livestock operations employees on a regular basis.
Assist in maintaining shop database records and assist with prioritization of equipment scheduling, maintenance, and repair.
Assist and coordinate with all research projects as the need arises.
Assist with ground maintenance (mowing spraying, plowing snow) as the need arises.
Assist with livestock facility maintenance including calving pens clean up construction.
Ability to diagnose and treat diseases and sickness in cattle.
Assist in breeding protocols and artificial insemination of livestock herd.
Assist with Feedlot coordinator duties as the need arises.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Livestock Operations/Feedlot Coordinator:
Associate degree in animal or Range Sciences or closely related field and one-year full-time cattle operation experience 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.
Experience with both dryland and irrigated hay, small grain, corn silage, and forage production.
Demonstrated experience operating all large, heavy or small equipment typical of farm and ranch operations including feedlot and feed mill operations equipment.
Livestock Operations/Calving Coordinator:
Associate degree in agriculture (Beef cattle management, Beef cattle nutrition or similar) and one-year full-time cattle operation experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience with cattle handling, behavior, husbandry, and modern management knowledge and skills.
Experience with calving cattle, both in range and barn settings.
Experience with both dryland and irrigated hay, small grain, corn silage, and forage production.
Ability to operate all large, heavy, or small equipment found at a typical farm or ranch.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Livestock Operations/Feedlot Coordinator:
Bachelor’s degree in animal science, Crop Science or Ag Mechanics or related field.
Experience as an Ag or Heavy Equipment mechanic.
Experience in conducting or collaborating with agricultural research.
Documented experience with Low Stress Cattle Handling procedures.
Keep detailed technical records for research projects
Experience and understanding of university purchasing and other guidelines.
Livestock Operations/Calving Coordinator:
Bachelor’s degree in agriculture (Beef cattle management, Beef cattle nutrition or similar).
Experience in conducting or collaborating with agricultural research.
Documented experience with Low Stress Cattle Handling procedures.
Keep detailed technical records for research projects.
The Successful Candidate Will
Have outstanding communication skills, both written and oral.
Have excellent record keeping skills and be detail oriented.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co- workers and the public.
Be self-directed; and be able to make appropriate decisions in the absence of other leadership.
The ability to represent MSU in a productive, professional and courteous manner.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Must have or be able to obtain with six months of hire, a research and demonstration pesticide license for agricultural plant pests and vertebrate classification.
Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.)
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
Maneuver parts, equipment, and livestock that weigh up to 150 lbs.
Work in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
Navigate on slippery or uneven terrain.
Work with and around pesticides and dust-born particles.
Work with and around hazardous machinery that is extremely loud.
Handle and work with unpredictable livestock that can cause serious injury.
Work livestock while on horseback and be able to handle horses in and around all ranch environments.
Work 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 2
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 30, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
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.