Farm Mechanic

Announcement Number STAFF – VA – 25112

For questions regarding this position, please contact: 

Patrick Carr

[email protected]

406-423-5421

Classification Title Farm Mech

Working Title Farm Mechanic

Brief Position Overview 

This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of all farm-related machinery and equipment and assists in overall farm, field, and facilities operations.

Position Number 4M1374

Department AES CARC

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 FOCUS-MFPE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $20.568 – $25.709 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type Classified Salary

If other, please specify 

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement 

This position is located at the Central Agricultural Research Center (CARC), one of seven off-campus research centers in the Department of Research Centers. The mission of the Department of Research Centers is to conduct scientific investigations pertaining to agriculture and natural resources, and to disseminate the results of this research to farmers, scientists, and others interested in agricultural related research. Knowledge generated by the Department of Research Centers benefits Montana agriculture and the scientific community at local, state and national levels.

Duties and Responsibilities 

• Maintain and repair physical plant structures such as buildings, water works, fences, and grounds as needed;
• Maintain and repair, including arc and acetylene welding, of field research equipment, research sample processing equipment, and field-scale crop production and processing equipment;
• Assist the farm operations manager in field-related agronomy activities as needed, including, but not limited to, planting, pesticide spraying, and harvesting of forage, grain, and seed crops;
• Execute research center operational tasks;
• Responsible for removing snow using tractors and blades, and assisting the farm operations manager with clearing sidewalks and building entries during winter months as needed;
• Assist in researching capital equipment acquisitions, making purchase recommendations to the farm operations manager and superintendent, and participating in short- and long-term strategic planning;
• Develop replacement timelines for acquiring new equipment, conduct research on manufacturers and costs, and present recommendations to the farm operations manager and superintendent;
• Help train and manage seasonal hourly employees involved in farm operations. Assist in training all full- and part-time employees on the safe operation and use of equipment. Enforce departmental and center policies, procedures, and protocols regarding safe equipment operation;
• Maintain records and inventories of research and farm equipment, including computerized records on equipment usage, maintenance, repairs, and related inventory items;
• Assist in keeping necessary inventories current and in ordering fertilizer, seeds, and pesticide requirements, as well as materials, parts, and supplies needed for maintenance and repairs on equipment and the station’s physical plant, pending budgetary approval by the superintendent;
• Work and interact effectively and cooperatively with faculty, research and administrative professionals, and part-time employees to support the mission of the CARC and the Department of Research Centers. Duties are expected to be performed in a professional, friendly, and courteous manner.

1. Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
2. Associate degree in Agricultural Mechanics or related field, or an equivalent amount of relevant experience;
3. Experience in operate, repair, and maintain all types of equipment found on a modern research and commercial, including diesel and gas-powered equipment that includes large four-wheel drive tractors as well as smaller equipment, haying equipment, mechanized harvesters, forklifts;
4. Experience and knowledge in the safe and effective operation, calibration, maintenance and repair of various types of research equipment including research-scale drills, combines, and sprayers;
5. Experience working on a modern, mechanized, research farm such as the MSU Central Agricultural Research Center.
6. Experience working with the Microsoft Office suite of software (e.g., MS Excel).
7. Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
8. Bachelor degree in Agricultural Mechanized or related field;
9. Demonstrated carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills;
10. Supervisory experience of employees;
11. Experience working at a dryland Montana farm;
12. Experience working as part of a team or work unit.

The Successful Candidate WillThe successful candidate will be an enthusiastic, motivated individual who works as a team member in support of the mission of the CARC. The individual must be able to follow instructions and work cooperatively with others, as well as independently. The individual must be able to carry out the duties of the position in an efficient manner, have excellent organizational skills, and be a critical thinker who can effectively prioritize and manage several projects at once. This person must have excellent communication skills and be an effective leader as well as motivator of other staff.

• Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
• Must possess a valid driver’s license at day of hire and obtain a valid MT driver’s license within 21 days of hire.
• Have in possession or be able to obtain a government pesticide applicators license within 90 days of hire.

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
• Must be able to enter, exit and operate numerous types of farm equipment.
• Requires working around loud machinery and working at elevated positions (e.g., grain bins and roofs).
• Must be able to move 80 pounds; requires repetitive movements and stationary positions for extensive periods of time.
• Must be able to work with and around dust, pollen-bearing plants and pesticides; requires the ability to wear a respirator or related safety equipment.
• Must be able to work in extreme weather conditions.

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 October 7, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions 

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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