Research Assistant III

Position Details

Position Information


Announcement Number
STAFF - VA - 26415


For questions regarding this position, please contact:


Hope Huft
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Classification Title
Research Asst III


Working Title
Research Assistant III


Brief Position Overview

This position is located at Miles City, MT. Work outdoors at a livestock and range research lab. Responsibilities include diverse farm duties such as field preparation, irrigation management, feed mill operations, and animal care. The role involves operating and maintaining farm machinery, handling cattle for health and research procedures, and supporting additional tasks like snow removal and fencing. You'll also assist with research projects by managing data and using specialized technology.

Position Number
4M0214


Department
AES LARRS


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
AFSCME


FTE
1.0


Benefits Eligible
Eligible


Salary
Salary range of $19.468 to $24.335 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.


Contract Type
Classified Salary


If other, please specify

Recruitment Type
Open

Position Details


General Statement


As an employee of MSU -Ag Experiment Station - Fort Keogh, you will work alongside other MSU employees and USDA employees conducting research in Livestock and Range management.

Duties and Responsibilities

Field Preparation and Crop Management:

• Plowing, disking, planting crops, cultivating, haying, and harvesting.
• Using farm equipment such as balers, swathers, disks, plows, harvesters, trucks, and tractors.

Irrigation:

• Managing crops (hay, corn, barley) with flood, center pivot, and gated pipe irrigation.

Feed Mill and Feed Truck Operation:

• Overseeing daily operations and maintenance of the feed mill and various equipment.
• Using the overhead batching system; grinding grains and hay for rations.
• Formulating and mixing feed grains with supplements.
• Maintaining an inventory of minerals for supplements.
• Operating the feed truck and periodically grinding hay for feeding farm animals.

Farm Machinery:

• Operating, repairing, and maintaining farm machinery, including replacing worn parts and servicing equipment.
• Mounting new equipment, such as replacing bearings on disks and sickle sections on swathers.
• Greasing and checking fluid levels on machinery.
• Operating feed trucks and tractors safely.
• Repairing and maintaining facilities, including fixing fences and working on computerized calan gates.

Animal Care:

• Observing and managing feedlot operations, recognizing and treating health concerns in animals.
• Working with livestock to brand, dehorn, weigh, and haul cattle.
• Assisting scientists with routine weigh days and vaccinations.
• Checking cattle health, treating sick animals, providing water, and feeding cattle in winter.
• Moving cattle from pasture to working facilities, branding, vaccinating, hauling, and handling cattle.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Basic experience in the operation, repair, and maintenance of various tractors and equipment including balers, swathers, disks, plows, harvesters, and trucks.
2. Knowledge of and experience in field work including appropriate planting conditions and water flow.
3. Knowledge of workplace safety procedures.
4. Knowledge of flood, sprinkler, and pivot irrigation processes and systems, as well as the ability to set up/change and monitor systems.
5. General math skills to calculate the exact percentages of rations to meet research needs.
6. Knowledge of livestock care.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Working knowledge of pesticides, their application and safe uses.
2. Experience accurately recording, filing, and monitoring detailed records.
3. Knowledge of overhead batching system, grinding various grains and hay, and how to formulate and mix a variety or grains and supplements.
4. Knowledgeable in assessing and treating livestock ailments.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in day-to-day activities.
• Strong ability to prioritize duties and manage time effectively.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• 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.)
• Must obtain appropriate Montana Pesticide License within one year.

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

• Working in all types of weather.
• Maneuvering up to 100 pounds.
• Working in dust and pollen.
• Working with farm chemicals.
• Working with equipment.

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

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:


Screening of applications will begin on August 7th, 2026 ; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

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.