Equine Operations Foreman

The Department of Animal and Range Sciences in the College of Agriculture provides undergraduate and graduate training to ~445 students each year. In addition to MS and PhD programs, we offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Animal Science (options include Livestock Management and Industry, Science, and Equine Science) and Natural Resources and Rangeland Ecology (options include Rangeland Ecology and Management and Wildlife Ecology and Management). The department also offers the Dan Scott Ranch Management Program. We are a fully integrated department serving all three of the land grant missions of teaching, research, and extension. In addition, our program incorporates livestock operations into our teaching, research, and extension program.MSU's Equine Science Program is on a path to be the premier Equine Science and Equestrian Program in the Northwest, with plans for a major facility upgrades and expansion. Our mission is to maintain and grow our quality program in light of an ever-increasing student demand and to increase our capacity for a broader base of student and community engagement and experiential learning.The Department of Animal and Range Sciences has offered equine specific courses for more than 60 years, and MSU's Equine Program has truly been ahead of the curve. The current Bob Miller Pavilion was the first indoor riding arena built in the state of Montana. Our equine degree was first offered in 2003, and current enrollment is ~90 students in the Equine Science Option. Graduates from our Equine Science Program have gone on to further their education in graduate and professional programs, veterinary medicine, as well as careers in horse training, nutrition and pharmaceutical sales, equine and therapeutic riding facilities management, 4-H and Extension, and guest ranch and equine breeding program management, to mention a few recent examples.Our degree program has a strong foundation in Science and Business, with supporting equestrian courses ranging from Western and English equitation to colt starting and equine marketing. Our equestrian courses, clubs, and extracurricular activities impact students from all majors on campus and include the MSU Rodeo team, Intercollegiate Horse Show Association team, Polo team. Our facilities, faculty and staff support service learning, internships, extension programs, outreach education and educational. Students in the colt starting program prepare foals born from our breeding mare heard for careers as ranch horses and sells these animals as part of an annual fundraising sale that attracts donors, supporters and buyers from coast to coast.The Equine Operations Foreman and Introductory Equitation Instructor will oversee MSU's equine resources, facilities, and finances and will train students in Introductory and Intermediate Horsemanship (EQUH 114 Horsemanship I and EQUH 210 Horsemanship II). The successful candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Livestock Operations Manager and the Department of Animal and Range Sciences Department Head to ensure a safe, functional and premier environment for students and livestock and a safe and productive training program for students.

Duties and ResponsibilitiesManage MSUs equitation, lease, and broodmare and foal heards, including:Overseeing and maintaining accurate records of animal health, well-being, and feeding.Working with local dude ranches and fostering relationships for lease horses (as student numbers necessitate), and leading oversight on possible equine donations to the program.Developing an appropriate feeding protocol and feeding horses.Providing initial assessment and providing basic care to horses that are ill or injured.Assessing horses' soundness for classes.Maintaining a positive working relationship and working with equine veterinarians as needed.Working closely with equestrian instructors and the Livestock Operations manager for replacing and retiring MSU horses.Scheduling farrier appointments.Scheduling spring/fall vaccinations and yearly coggins/health tests as well as insure all aspects of the equine AACUC SOP are followed including review and updating the AACUC SOP as needed.

Manage and oversee equine facilities, including:

Provide a safe atmosphere for instruction of students and horses.Maintaining an inventory of arena and equine health and feeding supplies.Scheduling arena use for classes, pavilion activities, student club and team events.Overseeing horse boarding program.Evaluating and maintaining animal use agreements.Hiring and supervising student labor for equine feeding, health, and facility maintenance.Work with livestock operations manager to create and balance equine and facilities budgets.Instruct introductory and intermediate horsemanship courses:Facilitating and participating in working/riding any horses that need additional riding for classes.When assigned, develop classroom lectures and hands on training with students for better understanding of equine uses and riding instruction.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

BS.in Animal/Equine Sciences or closely related field, or equivalent experience

Demonstrated experience with equine handling, behavior, husbandry and modern management knowledge and skills.Demonstrated experience managing facilities.Demonstrated experience teaching Introductory and Intermediate Horsemanship classes.Demonstrated experience supervising employees, primarily undergraduate student employees.Demonstrated experience with equipment and machinery operations and basic maintenance.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Advanced Degree in Animal/Equine Sciences or closely related field.

Broad knowledge and experience in the equine industry.Experience with arena maintenance and equipment operations.Experience teaching Animal/Equine related courses.

The Successful Candidate Will

Have demonstrated experience working with a variety of livestock species and agricultural related tasks with minimal supervision to meet deadlines and obligations.Have excellent interpersonal communication skills.Have excellent track record of working with team settings across a broad range of personnel.Be willing to work outside of regular hours, including weekends, as required.Ability to manage special project requirements.

Position Special Requirements/Additional InformationThis 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 DemandsWith or without reasonable accommodation; the person in this position must be able to:Move objects 50 lbs or more.Work with large animals.

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