Montana State University

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 25279

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Peggy Lamb

plamb@montana.edu

406-265-6115

Classification Title Program/Project Lead

Working Title Program Lead, Variety Testing & Agronomy *Conrad, MT*

Brief Position Overview

This position is located in Conrad, MT. This is a 12-month full-time position funded by the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station. There are opportunities to secure extramural funding from state, regional, and/or national sources in partial support of the program.

Position Number 4C0440

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

General Statement

The position will be located at Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center (WTARC) between Conrad and Shelby, Montana and close to Glacier National Park. WTARC is one of seven off-campus research centers in the Department of Research Centers. The program lead has excellent opportunities to collaborate across the department, and with people on the main campus in Bozeman, including plant breeders, crop and soil scientists, plant pathologists and others representing various agricultural disciplines. WTARC consists of approximately 70 acres including areas for dryland and irrigated research and is well-equipped with modern field and plot scale equipment, a seed processing laboratory, and a new state-of-the-art greenhouse. Excellent outdoor recreational opportunities exist in the area.

Duties and Responsibilities

Direct the WTARC crop variety testing program both on- and off-station in the surrounding seven-county area:

• At least 60% collaborative work with Montana State University’s plant breeding programs (spring wheat, winter wheat, durum, barley, and pulses).
• Additional variety testing investigations may include oilseed crops, annual and perennial forages, and other crops based on farmer need and interest.
• Develop the program in collaboration with plant breeders and colleagues directing crop variety testing at other research centers, and with those in public and private industry, as appropriate.
• Cooperate with all programs at WTARC.

Provide educational leadership on crop variety selection to farmers and stakeholders in the Golden Triangle area of Montana:

• Direct and assist in presentations.
• Host and contribute to field tours.
• Participate in other events to assist farmers in crop variety selection.
• Work with Extension agents and specialists in planning some of these events.
• Collaborate with other research center and campus faculty.

Meet expectations of annual technical report writing and co-authorship of Extension publications:

• Contribute to popular press materials and in-person outreach activities.
• Participate in securing local, regional, or national grants with collaborators.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Four years of documented, hands-on experience conducting small plot agricultural field research including crop variety testing or plant breeding trials.
2. Demonstrated and documented experience in planning, designing, implementing and managing agronomic field research and the associated data.
3. Documented experience in the operation of field research equipment such as tractors, seeders, and plot combines.
4. Demonstrated experience towing, loading, unloading trailers with field equipment.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. BS or MS in crop science, agronomy, or other plant discipline.
2. Experience conducting research in semi-arid regions similar to the Northern Great Plains.
3. Demonstrated supervisory experience.
4. Demonstrated ability to analyze and summarize data for producer and funding agency reporting.
5. Demonstrated potential in contributing to grant proposal development and securing external funding

The Successful Candidate Will

• Help the department and university provide outstanding teaching, scholarship, engagement and service in meeting the goals of the university’s strategic plan.
• Have effective interpersonal skills including the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, professional and technical staff, students, and stakeholders.
• Have strong written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate a commitment to integrating and understanding the experiences of underrepresented groups into research, teaching, engagement, and service.
• Interact across academic disciplines and various cultures.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently work independently with little or no supervision.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

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.

This position has supervisory duties? Yes

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 February 24, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

To apply, please upload the following documents:

1. A cover letter specifically addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications.
2. Resume.
3. Contact information for (3) references, that includes direct supervisors.

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.

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