Farm Operations Manager – Western Triangle Ag Research Center *Conrad, MT

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25334 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Peggy Lamb

plamb@montana.edu

406-265-6115

Classification Title Managing Director Working Title Farm Operations Manager – Western Triangle Ag Research Center *Conrad, MT* Brief Position Overview

The Farm Operations Manager (FOM) at Western Triangle Ag Research Center (WTARC) located in Conrad, MT, will work closely and in concert with the Superintendent, Department Head, on- and off-site faculty, as well as professionals in executing research and education efforts at the Research Center. This position is expected to work primarily independently. The FOM is responsible for maintenance of WTARC facilities and will be the primary liaison for all crop-related activities and projects. Daily supervision of classified employees and student labor is expected.

Position Number 4C1635 Department AES WTARC 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

Western Triangle Ag Research Center consists of 75 acres and serves agricultural producers by conducting relevant dryland and irrigated research in cereals, oilseeds, pulses and forage crops and disseminates the garnered information to the general public and scientific community.

When fully staffed, the research center houses an agronomist, an entomologist, two research assistants, a farm operations manager and one part-time administrative assistant. A local advisory board made up of area producers and industry representatives from the surrounding counties provides guidance on WTARC research priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Plant, manage and harvest commodity and foundation seed production fields.
• Manage chemical applications, fallow ground and crop rotations in concert with research trials.
• Conducts soil sampling for testing and fertilizer amendment.
• Help manage space and resources allocations in the research center.
• Manage day-to-day operations, and safety training at the center working in concert with the Superintendent, other faculty, and professional staff.
• Assist researchers in planning, planting, in-season management and harvesting of trials.
• Strategically plan and coordinate the timely planting, management, and harvesting of crops.
• Maintain inventory of pesticides and fertilizers at WTARC.
• Maintenance and repair of WTARC vehicles and equipment.
• Maintain and coordinate repair of WTARC grounds and facilities.
• Maintaining detailed farm records for:
• Crop rotations.
• Pesticide applications, carryover restrictions, and other associated information that impacts crop and trial ground management.
• Soil nutrient inventories and fertilizer applications.
• Crop yields and associated storage of commodities produced.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Two-year associate degree OR an equivalent amount of applicable applied farming experience.
• Demonstrated dryland crop production experience.
• Demonstrated ability to proficiently operate farm equipment including tractors, drills, sprayers and combines.
• Demonstrated experience in managing farm enterprises.
• Knowledge of mechanical maintenance of vehicles and farm equipment.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Documented hands-on experience with application of nutrients and pesticides.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain detailed records and inventories.
• Demonstrated experience with cereal crop rotations and forages and associated pest management practices.
• Irrigated crop production experience.
  
  

The Successful Candidate Will

• Interact effectively with the Department Head, Superintendent, other faculty and professionals.
• Communicate effectively, both written and oral skills.
• Work effectively with varied constituents.
• Be able to work proactively versus reactively.
  
  

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• Possess or obtain a Government Montana Pesticide Applicators License within 3 months of hire.
• Position requires seasonal weekend and/or evening hours in conjunction with farming activities.
  
  

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

• Ability to maneuver commodities, parts and equipment weighing up to 100 lbs.
• Position requires working in extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions.
• Working at elevated positions (examples: elevator legs, grain bins, equipment).
• Working in dusty conditions and with and around pesticides.
• Working with and around loud and/or other noisy equipment.
• Currently possess or obtain a Government Montana Pesticide Applicators License within 3 months of hire.
• 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.)
  
  

Position requires seasonal weekend and/or evening hours in conjunction with farming activities.

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 December 29, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

To Apply, Please Upload The Following Documents

• A cover letter with a Bullet Point specifically addressing EACH of the Required and Preferred Qualifications
• Resume
• Contact information for (3) references, that includes direct supervisors
  
  

If cover letter instructions are not followed, the application may not be reviewed by the committee.

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

• Resume
• Cover Letter addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications
  
  

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).