Montana State University
The Town Livestock Foreman works closely with the Livestock Operations Manager, and in collaboration with the Department Head of Animal & Range Sciences, the Red Bluff Research Ranch Foreman, the Equine Operations Foreman, and permanent and temporary employees to prioritize, delegate, and carry out duties essential to the day-to-day management of livestock and facilities at the Bozeman Agricultural Research and Teaching (BART) farm, Fort Ellis, and Lutz research facilities, ensuring activities fit within overall budgetary limits. The Town Livestock Foreman will interact regularly with research professionals, faculty, graduate students, and the Department Head to support and advance of the department’s research, teaching, and outreach efforts.
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Oversee livestock and facility operations, maintenance, and improvements.
- Participate and assist in the organization and oversight of all cattle and sheep management activities, including, but not limited to, calving, lambing, breeding, weaning, pasture moves, fence and corral maintenance, doctoring, while practicing low stress livestock handling techniques.
- Maintaining updated and approved Agricultural Animal Care and Use Committee (AACUC) protocols for livestock husbandry of animals when not on research protocols and ensuring protocols are practiced by staff.
- Oversee and participate in feedstuff production, seeding, spraying, irrigating, and harvesting both irrigated and dryland hay.
- Maintain and oversee all shop database records and assist with prioritization of equipment scheduling, maintenance, and repair.
- Provide leadership in hiring, training, directing, mentoring, and supervising all college and temporary employees and prioritizing their workloads.
- Plan, execute and perform safety meetings for all livestock operations employees on a regular basis.
- Assist and ensure livestock operations staff maintain up-to-date and accurate records of animal inventory, animal health, hay production and use, supplements fed, and equipment use and maintenance.
- Work closely with faculty, Livestock Operations Manager, Red Bluff personnel, and Equine foreman to make culling and replacement decisions for cattle, horse, and sheep breeding herds.
- In collaboration with the 2 foreman under direct supervision, assist with shop direction and organization, repair of research equipment, and operate and perform maintenance and repair of all haying, farming/ranching, and heavy equipment.
- Assist Equine Foreman with animal care, feed, and equipment needs.
- Must be willing to work flexible hours, as necessary to manage livestock.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- B.S. in Animal or Range Sciences or closely related field. or an equivalent amount of applicable experience.
- Demonstrated experience with cattle and sheep handling, behavior, husbandry, and modern management knowledge and skills.
- Demonstrated experience managing and operating facilities and equipment.
- Experience in managing budgets and in establishing and maintaining detailed records.
- Demonstrated competence in identifying and treating illness and disease in sheep and cattle.
- Experience in range and pasture management and monitoring.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Advanced degree in Animal or Range Sciences or closely related field.
- Experience with livestock, range, and forage research programs and operations such as; artificial insemination, synchronization of heat techniques, and pregnancy diagnosis.
- Experience in coordinating maintenance schedules and repairing of farm and ranch equipment with proficiency including welding, metal, and wood work.
- Demonstrated experience team leadership and ranch management with a focus on supervising and directing personnel.
The Successful Candidate Will
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- Have outstanding communication skills, both written and oral.
- Competence in Microsoft Office Suite.
- Have experience working with minimal supervision to meet deadlines and obligations both as a leader and a co-worker.
- Be self-directed; and be able to make appropriate decisions in the absence of other leadership.
This position is critical to the research, teaching, and extension efforts of the Department of Animal and Range Sciences and the College of Agriculture. The actions of this individual can affect the public perception of the department, the college, and the university. The individual hired for this position will have demonstrated the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and the public at large and will have demonstrated the ability to represent MSU in a productive, professional and courteous manner. This person will have daily contact with co-workers, frequent contact with the 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
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- Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points) as occasional travel will be required.
- Have or willingness to obtain a CDL.
- Willingness to work flexible hours.
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:
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- 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 have the potential to cause serious injury or death.
- Work in elevated positions, such as 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 January 1, 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