What are the responsibilities and job description for the Ft. Keogh Ranch Operations Manager *Miles City position at Montana State University?
Fort Keogh is a 55,000-acre rangeland and beef cattle research facility operated in cooperation with the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA Agricultural Research Service.
Duties and Responsibilities
Oversee livestock facility operations, maintenance, and improvements
- Supervise employee team whose primary responsibilities are animal health, well-being, and feeding and ensure that Agricultural Animal Care and Use Committee (AACUC) protocols are practiced and updated as needed.
- Manage development of appropriate feeding and grazing protocols for livestock directly involved and managed under an Animal Use Agreement (AUA) research projects.
- Work closely with ARS Leadership/Scientists and MAES partners to make culling and replacement decisions for cattle breeding herds.
- Oversee and participate in all cattle operations including but not limited to calving, breeding, weaning, pasture moves, fence and corral maintenance, doctoring, and USDA-ARS Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidelines in USDA MSU facilities while ensuring low stress livestock handling techniques.
- Work with USDA and MAES partners in managing irrigated and dryland feedstuff production.
Manage Operations and MSU resources at Ft. Keogh facility
- Coordinate use, maintenance, and repair of equipment and facilities in alignment with MSU and USDA-ARS policies and procedures.
- Responsible for MSU budget oversight at Ft. Keogh and adhering to all MSU and COA fiscal and procurement policies and procedures.
- Hire, train, and supervise personnel in collaboration with Maintenance Supervisor, Feedlot Manager, and Ranch Foremen.
- Oversee maintenance of accurate records including animal inventory, animal health, hay production and use, supplements, equipment use and maintenance, and all MSU property.
- Coordinate animal, facility, and pasture use among all involved parties.
- In collaboration with direct reports, assist with shop direction and organization, repair of research equipment, maintenance and repair of all haying, farming/ranching, and heavy equipment, maintain and oversee all shop database records and assist with prioritization of equipment scheduling, maintenance, and repair.
- Oversee and participate in feedstuff production, seeding, spraying, irrigating, and harvesting both irrigated and dryland hay and coordinate these activities with Fort Keogh’s USDA-ARS leadership.
- Plan, execute, and perform safety meetings for all MSU employees on a regular basis in coordination with the Maintenance Supervisor, Feedlot Manager, and Ranch Foremen.
- Communicate effectively with researchers, educators, partners, and the general public both in written and oral media.
Coordinate and supervise research and educational activities as described in oral and written protocols and in collaboration with ARS, Extension, and MSU partners.
- Provide leadership for coordination of all research projects as needed.
- Coordinate, collect, and summarize data generated for research projects or supervise the Admin Associate in these duties where appropriate.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field and at least 2 years of professional experience
- Experience in operations and budget management, including supervising personnel.
- Experience in livestock management and feedlot operations, including ability to handle livestock with low stress handling techniques.
- Documented Ranch and Farm management experience to include native range management, irrigated and dryland crops, and improved pasture management.
- Demonstrated competence in computer applications (Microsoft office suite, ration balancing software, database use, IP protocols, network services, etc.).
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Master’s Degree in an agriculture-related field.
- Livestock research experience.
- Montana Pesticide applicator license.
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.
- Be able to work with both federal and state entities to manage budgetary and research needs.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
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.
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
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.
- Ability to physically manage livestock and operate farm machinery.
- Ability to lift 100 lbs (feed and baby calves on a regular basis).
This position has supervisory duties?
Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on January 5, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for 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.
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.