• Plant Growth Center Manager

    Montana State University (Bozeman, MT)


    Position Details

    Position Information

    Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26098

    For questions regarding this position, please contact:

    Darrin Boss

    [email protected]

     

    406-265-6115

    Ryan Thum

    [email protected]

     

    406-994-4039

     

    Classification Title Managing Director

     

    Working Title Plant Growth Center Manager

    Brief Position Overview

    The Plant Growth Center Manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operation, facilities, staffing, budgeting, and user services of the 66,000-square-foot research and teaching complex. The successful candidate will provide technical and administrative leadership to support diverse research and teaching needs in plant sciences and agriculture.

     

    The manager interacts with over 180 principal investigators, technicians, graduate students, and student laborers from eight departments and federal agencies. Equipment selection, environmental control and pest management decisions have a profound impact on the quality of research generated.

     

    The manager is responsible for generating funds required to provide mandated user services and supplies. Staffing consists of one classified employee and 2 or 3 student laborers, who assist the manager with providing user services (soil mixing, maintenance, pest control…). Facilities and equipment under manager’s responsibility includes the 66,000 square foot Plant Growth Center which houses 29 greenhouses, 10 walk-in growth rooms, 32 growth chambers, Insect Quarantine Laboratory, Plant Pathology Isolation Laboratory, plant and soil preparation areas, and three classrooms. Examples of specialized equipment required to provide user services include pesticide application and safety gear, environmental control computers and data loggers, plant and soil grinders and drying ovens, and soil mixing equipment (tractor, mixer, loader, and pasteurization carts).

     

    Position Number 4C5058

     

    Department Dean of Agriculture

     

    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

    Position Details

    General Statement

    The operation of the Plant Growth Center is dictated by the “ PGC Policy Manual and Users Guide”. Policies are set by the PGC management committee (the PGC manager is chair) and the Dean and Director of the College of Agriculture/ MAES . The manager brings issues related to space assignments, project reviews, capital equipment purchases, and PGC operation policy to the committee. The PGC manager is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of PGC polices.

     

    Duties and Responsibilities

     

    Administrative Functions

     

    + Oversee overall operations of the Plant Growth Center.

    + Coordinate and monitor space utilization among researchers and instructors.

    + Assess and collect space-use fees.

    + Develop, monitor, and manage the operational budget.

    + Enforce compliance with PGC Policy Manual and Users Guide.

    + Chair the PGC Management Committee and contribute to policy development.

     

    Facilities and Equipment Management

     

    + Supervise and maintain the condition of 29 greenhouses, 10 walk-in growth rooms, 32 growth chambers, laboratories, classrooms, and equipment.

    + Serve as initial and follow-up contact for all facility service and repair needs, including emergency response.

    + Oversee pesticide application, safety, and equipment maintenance.

     

    Personnel Management

     

    + Hire, train, and supervise staff including one classified employee and 2–3 student laborers.

    + Direct staff activities in soil preparation, pest control, and routine maintenance.

     

    Project and Research Support

     

    + Design and implement integrated pest management ( IPM ) programs.

    + Procure and prepare plant-growing supplies (e.g., soil mixes, agrochemicals).

    + Maintain the conservatory space.

    Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

    + Master of Science (thesis-based) in Plant Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, or related field.

    + Demonstrated research experience with plant materials in controlled environments.

    + Experience in facilities and personnel management.

    + Documented proficiency with microcomputer systems for data management and environmental control.

    + Knowledge of pesticide regulations and application practices.

    Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

    + Greenhouse management experience including lighting/temperature scheduling, media prep, and fertilization.

    + Experience developing and enforcing institutional or departmental policies.

    + Effective communication and conflict-resolution skills in high-use shared facilities.

    The Successful Candidate Will

    + Strong leadership, decision-making, and organizational skills.

    + Ability to work independently with discretion and initiative.

    + Commitment to supporting a diverse community of researchers, students, and faculty.

    + Ability to manage budgets, supervise personnel, and oversee complex facility systems.

    + Willingness to teach and participate in public outreach.

    + Attention to detail in both records and research.

     

    Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

    Certification and licenses:

    + A Commercial Montana Pesticide Applicators License must be obtained within 3 months 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

    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

     

    Posting Detail Information

     

    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 September 11, 2025; 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.