Sheep Foreman

This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27091

Position Number 4M1438

Animal & Range Sciences

College of Agriculture/MAES

Classified

Fiscal Year

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

Exempt

FOCUS-MFPE

1.0

Yes

Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

If other, please specify

Open

The Red Bluff Ranch is located near Norris in Madison County, Montana, along the west side of the Madison River and is used for both teaching and research. Most of this ranch is rangeland with cattle and sheep maintained year round, as well as limited hay meadows along the valley bottoms. Elevations range from 4,600 feet to 6,200 feet above the Madison River canyon.

• Work closely with sheep extension specialists, sheep researchers, and livestock operations management team to carry out and implement management of MAES station sheep.
• Take a lead role in organizing student labor, animal health supplies, barn facilities, and overall preparing for and execution of lambing the flock of 350 ewes.
• Take a lead in collecting and recording sheep production records.
• Assist in organizing and preparing MSU animals for rams sales, producer meetings, and other events.
• Provide leadership for management of MSU sheep.
• Flock health, ie. weekly flock health checks, treatments, Body condition scoring ( BCS ), nutrition and supplementation, grazing management.
• Use of technology to track and manage sheep. Application of GPS /Activity monitors for sheep management.
• Assist in care and monitoring of all livestock calving out 250 cows annually. Participate as part of a team in day-to-day animal health, well-being, and feeding.
• Participate in livestock facility operations, maintenance, and improvements.
• At the direction of the Red Bluff Ranch Manage rand Livestock Operations Manager, assist with shop direction and organization, repair of research equipment, and operate and perform maintenance and repair of all haying, farming/ranching, and heavy equipment.
• Participate in all cattle and sheep operations including but not limited to calving, lambing, breeding, weaning, pasture moves, fence and corral maintenance, doctoring, and AACUC guidelines at MSU facilities while practicing low stress livestock handling techniques .
• Participate in feedstuff production, seeding, spraying , irrigating, and harvesting both irrigated and dryland hay.
• Assist with prioritization of equipment scheduling , maintenance, and repair.
• Participate in fence repair.
• Participate in weed control.

• BS in Animal or Range Sciences or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring and handling sheep and/or cattle.
• Demonstrated experience working with agricultural facilities and equipment.
• Demonstrated experience with equipment operation.
• Desire to develop leadership skills.

• Documented experience with ranching and livestock operations.
• Documented experience with sheep production and/or research
• Demonstrated experience with equipment maintenance and minor repairs.
• Proficient with hand tools including welding, metal, and wood work.

• Have outstanding communication skills both written and oral.
• Have experience working as a team member.
• Have experience working with minimal supervision to meet deadlines and obligations.
• Have excellent record keeping skills and be detailed oriented.
• Be…