Farm Mechanic

This position is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and repair of all farm-related machinery and equipment. The successful candidate will work as a team member in support of the mission of the Central Agricultural Research Center (CARC).

• 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.

• Associate degree in Agricultural Mechanics or related field, or an equivalent amount of relevant experience.
• Experience in operate, repair, and maintain all types of equipment found on a modern research and commercial farm, including diesel and gas-powered equipment that includes large four-wheel drive tractors as well as smaller equipment, haying equipment, mechanized harvesters, forklifts.
• 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.
• Experience working on a modern, mechanized, research farm such as the MSU Central Agricultural Research Center.
• Experience working with the Microsoft Office suite of software (e.g., MS Excel).

• Bachelor degree in Agricultural Mechanized or related field.
• Demonstrated carpentry, plumbing and electrical skills.
• Supervisory experience of employees.
• Experience working at a dryland Montana farm.
• Experience working as part of a team or work unit.

• 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.