Job Information
Montana State University Program Lead, Variety Testing & Agronomy *Moccasin, MT* in Bozeman, Montana
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25297
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Patrick Carr
patrick.carr@montana.edu
406-423-5421
Classification Title Program/Project Lead
Working Title Program Lead, Variety Testing & Agronomy Moccasin, MT
Brief Position Overview
This position is located two miles west of Moccasin, MT. This is a 12-month full-time position funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. There are opportunities to secure extramural funding from state, regional, and/or national sources in partial support of the program
Position Number 4C1673
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 Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The position will be located at Central Agricultural Research Center ( CARC ) two miles west of Moccasin, Montana and roughly 70 miles southeast of Great Falls. CARC is one of seven off-campus research centers in the Department of Research Centers. The program lead has excellent opportunities to collaborate across the department, and with people on the main campus in Bozeman, including plant breeders, crop and soil scientists, plant pathologists and others representing various agricultural disciplines. CARC consists of approximately 600 acres with most of that available for dryland research and is well-equipped with modern field and plot scale equipment, a seed processing laboratory, and a new state-of-the-art greenhouse.
Excellent outdoor recreational opportunities exist in the area.
Duties and Responsibilities
Direct the CARC crop variety testing program both on- and off-center in the surrounding seven-county area:
At least 60% collaborative work with Montana State University’s plant breeding programs (spring wheat, winter wheat, durum, barley, and pulses).
Additional variety testing investigations may include oilseed crops, annual and perennial forages, and other crops based on farmer need and interest.
Develop the program in collaboration with plant breeders and colleagues directing crop variety testing at other research centers, and with those in public and private industry, as appropriate.
Cooperate with all programs at CARC .
Provide educational leadership on crop variety selection to farmers and stakeholders in Central Montana:
Direct and assist in presentations.
Host and contribute to field tours.
Participate in other events to assist farmers in crop variety selection.
Work with Extension agents and specialists in planning some of these events.
Collaborate with research center and campus faculty.
Meet expectations of annual technical report writing and co-authorship of Extension and Scientific publications:
Contribute to popular press materials and in-person outreach activities.
Participate in securing local, regional, or national grants with collaborators.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Four years of documented, hands-on experience conducting small plot agronomic research (e.g., crop variety testing).
Demonstrated experience in contributing to planning, designing, implementing and managing agronomic field research and the associated data.
Demonstrated experience in the operation of field research equipment such as tractors, seeders, and plot combines.
Demonstrated experience towing, loading, unloading trailers with field equipment.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
BS or MS in crop science, agronomy, or other plant discipline.
Two years of documented experience participating in crop variety testing.
Experience conducting research in semi-arid regions similar to the Northern Great Plains.
Demonstrated supervisory experience.
Demonstrated ability to analyze and summarize data for producer and funding agency reporting.
Demonstrated potential in contributing to grant proposal development and securing external funding.
The Successful Candidate Will
Help the department and university provide outstanding teaching, scholarship, engagement and service in meeting the goals of the university’s strategic plan.
Have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, professional and technical staff, students, and stakeholders.
Have strong written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrate a commitment to integrating and understanding the experiences of underrepresented groups into research, teaching, engagement, and service.
Interact across academic disciplines and various cultures.
Be able to effectively and efficiently work independently with little or no supervision.
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
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 March 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.