Equine Working Student Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number
FAC - VA - 26132
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Haily Griggs
haily.griggs1@montana.edu
406-994-5582
Classification Title
Working Title
Equine NTT Instructor/Assistant Foreman
Brief Position Overview
The Equine Instructor/Assistant Foreman will oversee MSU's equine resources, facilities, and finances and will train students in Introductory and Intermediate Horsemanship (EQUH 114 Horsemanship I, EQUH 2IO Horsemanship II, and EQUH 310 Horsemanship IU), Colt Starting (EQUH 253 and 256). and develop a competitive Collegiate Ranch & Stock Horse Team. The position will work closely with Equine Science faculty and livestock operations staff to maintain a safe, effective, and high-quality learning environment for students and horses.
Faculty Tenure Track
No
Faculty Rank
Non-Tenure Track
Position Number
4A3076
Department
Animal & Range Sciences
Division
College of Agriculture/MAES
Appointment Type
Non-Tenure Track
Contract Term
Academic Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
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 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 major facility upgrades and expansion. Our mission is to maintain and grow our quality program considering 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, and Collegiate Horsemen's Association. 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 herd for careers as ranch horses and sell 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/Assistant Foreman will oversee MSU's equine resources, facilities, and finances and will train students in Introductory and Intermediate Horsemanship (EQUH 114 Horsemanship I, EQUH 210 Horsemanship II, and EQUH 310 Horsemanship III). 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 Responsibilities
Instruction and Student Training

• Instruct undergraduate equitation and horsemanship courses as determined by Equine Science Faculty and the Department Chair such as Horsemanship I, Horsemanship II, Horsemanship III, Colt Starting, and Developing the Young Horse.
• When assigned, develop classroom lectures and hands-on training with students for better understanding of equine uses and riding instruction.
• Facilitate and participate in working/riding any horses that need additional riding for classes.
• Provide a safe atmosphere for instruction of students and horses.

Equine Training and Program Support

• Work closely with Equine Science faculty and the Livestock Operations manager for replacing and retiring MSU horses.
• Assessing horses' soundness for classes.

Facility and Program Operations

• Schedule arena use for classes, pavilion activities, student club and team events.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with Equine Science faculty, MSU Farrier School faculty/staff, Livestock Operations Manager, and local veterinarians.

Industry and Community Engagement

• Foster relationships with regional ranches and equine industry partners for potential horse leases and donations to support the program.

Team Development

• Develop and coach a competitive Collegiate Ranch and Stock Horse Team.

Horse Care and Compliance

• Assist in maintaining accurate records of animal health, well-being, feeding, and general care.
• Provide initial assessment and basic care to horses that are ill or injured.
• Maintain up-to-date AACUC protocols for all hands-on classes and ensure all aspects of the equine AACUC and LOAC SOPs are followed including review and updating the AACUC and LOAC SOPs, as needed.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. BS in Animal/Equine Sciences or closely related field, or equivalent experience.
2. Experience teaching equitation courses.
3. Demonstrated experience with equine handling, behavior, husbandry and modem management knowledge and skills.
4. Experience supervising or mentoring employees, primarily undergraduate student employees.
5. Experience operating and maintaining agricultural and equine-related equipment and machinery.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Advanced degree in Animal/Equine Sciences or closely related field
2. Experience teaching equitation and horseman courses in a university or collegiate setting
3. Broad knowledge and experience in the equine industry.
4. Demonstrated experience managing equine facilities.
5. Demonstrated ability to manage special project requirements.
6. Demonstrated experience coaching a competitive team or demonstrated experience training individuals for students and horses in a teaching environment.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Demonstrate strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Possess strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in a team-oriented environment.
• Be willing to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, when necessary.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
The position for which you have applied MAY BE a Union position. Union affiliation is determined by job duties and the collective bargaining unit.

• Non-Tenure Track Faculty - Any position that is .5 FTE or more is represented by the Associated Faculty of Montana State University (AFMSU). Faculty covered by AFMSU may choose to pay membership dues. This is a condition of employment. Additional information can be found at AFMSU or by emailing AFSMU .
• Any position less than .5 FTE is not represented by the Union and is not required to pay dues.
  ** If the FTE changes during employment, the representational status of this position could be impacted.
• Exceptions: Anyone having successfully completed a PEI exam or any faculty working in Extension are exempt from the Union

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
With or without reasonable accommodation; the person in this position must be able to:

1. Must be able to move objects 50 lbs or more.
2. 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.
The Program
Equine Science
The Department
Animal & Range Sciences
The College
College of Agriculture
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on May 3, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for new sponsorship.
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.