EARC Administrative Associate III

EARC Administrative Associate III

The Eastern Agricultural Research Center (EARC) located in Sidney, MT is looking for a dependable, organized, and personable administrative professional to support the work of the research center. The Administrative Associate III serves as the primary contact for the center's front office and works closely with the Superintendent, faculty, researchers, and staff on day-to-day administrative, financial, purchasing, personnel, and event-related activities. The Administrative Associate III represents EARC and its interests to entities outside and within the university.

Position Number - 4N0240

Department - AES EARC

Division - College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type - Classified

Contract Term - Fiscal Year

FLSA - Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation - FOCUS-MFPE

FTE - 1.0

Benefits Eligible - Eligible

Salary - $20.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type - Classified Hourly

Recruitment Type - Open

General Statement - EARC is part of Montana State University and performs agricultural research that directly benefits farmers, ranchers, and communities across eastern Montana and beyond. Qualified applicants at different stages of their careers are encouraged to apply. MSU offers a comprehensive benefits package, including paid vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, retirement benefits, and health, dental, vision, and other insurance options. Training will be provided on Montana State University accounting systems, policies, procedures, and other job-specific responsibilities.

Duties and Responsibilities - Under the supervision of EARC Superintendent, the Administrative Associate III will perform a variety of administrative support, customer service, and fiscal management: Manage the day-to-day operations of the EARC front office, including answering phones, assisting visitors, maintaining calendars, preparing correspondence and documents, and providing administrative support to the Superintendent, faculty, and staff. Process and monitor financial transactions, including invoices, purchasing, deposits, travel reimbursements, and university accounts. Assist with personnel and payroll activities, including hiring paperwork, employee records, timesheets, and monthly payroll processes. Assist the superintendent in coordinating and supporting EARC meetings, the Annual Field Day, advisory board meetings, and other center events. Maintain office records, manuals, reports, supplies, and other materials, and assist with compiling weather information and EARC annual research reports. Assisting the Superintendent in communicating with university offices, other research centers, Extension offices, vendors, agricultural producers, and the public. Perform other administrative duties as needed to support the center.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills - Two years of experience in administrative, office management, bookkeeping, or similar roles. Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, email, and similar office software. Experience working with financial records, invoices, budgets, bookkeeping, accounting, or other financial transactions. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional attitude. Strong attention to detail and accuracy when working with financial, personnel, and other records.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills - Two years of post-secondary education Experience with bookkeeping, accounting, purchasing, payroll, or financial recordkeeping. Experience working in a university, government, agricultural, or other public-sector setting. Experience coordinating meetings, events, or other community activities. Experience working with policies and procedures related to purchasing, financial transactions, or personnel.

The Successful Candidate Will - Maintain the confidentiality of records and information; Communicate effectively with employees, students, and the public, both in-person and over the phone; Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and the public; Represent the Eastern Ag Research Center, the Department, and MSU professionally and courteously.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information - This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but is 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? - No

Number of Vacancies - 1

Applications will be: Screening of applications will begin on September 8, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

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.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents