Job Information
Montana State University Red Bluff Assistant Livestock & Facilities Foreman *Norris, MT* in Bozeman, Montana
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25066
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Carl Yeoman
carl.yeoman@montana.edu
406-994-4850
Classification Title Research Asst III
Working Title Red Bluff Assistant Livestock & Facilities Foreman Norris, MT
Brief Position Overview
This employee will work closely with the Red Bluff Ranch Foreman, and Livestock Operations Manager in carrying out day-to-day agricultural operations of approximately 12,000 acres of agricultural land, facilities, equipment and livestock (cattle, sheep, and horses) used in the support of research and educational activities conducted at the Red Bluff Research Facility located near Norris, MT. The successful candidate will have a strong desire to develop their skills in livestock production management.
Position Number 4M0194
Department Animal & Range Sciences
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 $18.59 – $23.23 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type Classified Salary
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
MSU was founded in 1893 as the Agricultural College of the State of Montana. Today, the College of Agriculture is an integral part of fulfilling MSU’s land grant mission serving the sons and daughters of our state. The Montana Agricultural Experiment Station ( MAES ) creates opportunities for students and faculty to excel through hands-on learning; to serve through campus and community engagement; to explore unique solutions to distinct and interesting questions; and to connect Montanans with the global community.
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties include but are not limited to:
Work closely with beef and sheep extension specialists, researchers, instructors, students, and livestock operations management team to carry out and implement management of MAES Red Bluff research station;
Assist in collecting, organizing, recording, and reporting beef cattle and sheep production records;
Assist in organizing and preparing MSU animals for livestock sales (e.g. Montana ram and ewe sales), producer meetings, and other events;
Provide support to Red Bluff sheep herder;
Weekly groceries;
Assist Red Bluff foreman in animal and range health, ie. Weekly flock/herd health checks, treatments, body condition scoring ( BCS ), nutrition and supplementation, grazing management;
Assist in care and monitoring of all livestock at Red Bluff. Participate as part of a team in day-to-day animal health, well-being, and feeding;
Participate in livestock facility and equipment operations, maintenance, and improvements;
At the direction of the Red Bluff Foreman, assist with shop direction and organization, repair of equipment, and operate and perform maintenance and repair of all haying, farming/ranching, and heavy equipment;
Participate in all cattle and sheep operations including but not limited to calving, lambing, 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, seeding, weed spraying, irrigating, and harvesting both irrigated and dryland hay;
Assist with prioritization of equipment scheduling, maintenance, and repair;
Participate in fence repair;
Participate in weed control.
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 in monitoring and handling sheep and/or cattle;
Demonstrated experience working with agricultural facilities and equipment;
Demonstrated experience with equipment operation.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
MS in Animal or Range Sciences or closely related field;
Documented experience with ranching and livestock operations;
Documented experience with livestock research;
Demonstrated experience with equipment maintenance, and minor repairs;
Proficient with hand tools including welding, metal, and wood work;
The Successful Candidate Will
Have outstanding communication skills both written and oral.
Have experience working as a team member, at times, with minimal supervision to meet deadlines and obligations.
Have excellent record keeping skills and be detailed oriented.
Be self-directed; and be able to make appropriate decisions in the absence of other leadership.
This position is located at Red Bluff Research Ranch near Norris, MT (population 148) and provides critical support to the research, teaching, and outreach effort of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences and the College of Agriculture located in Bozeman, MT (40 miles East of the facility). Despite the remote location, this individual will be required to consistently operate in a manner that ensures a positive public perception of the department and the college. 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 the Red Bluff foreman and seasonal farm crew, frequent contact with the Livestock Operations Manager, Department Head, and Animal and Range Sciences Faculty and graduate students, 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 a Commercial Driver’s License ( CDL ) and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points) as occasional travel will be required.
This position is an agriculturally designated position and requires non-traditional work schedules and evenings, weekends, and holidays.
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
With or without reasonable accommodation; the person in this position must be able to:
Move parts, equipment, and livestock that weigh up to 150 lbs.
Work in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
Move 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.
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 September 2, 2024; 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.