Agricultural Technician

Position Function

Performs farm related or agricultural essential technical tasks at an agriculture research/teaching facility.

Salary Grade: 10

Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.

Department Profile

Coastal Research and Extension Center serves as Mississippi State University's 'southern exposure'. CREC-White Sand unit is the headquarters of our beef cattle program.

Area of Specialization

Beef Cattle

Anticipated Appointment Date

August 2026.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform daily care and management of beef cattle, including feeding, watering, health observations, and moving animals between pastures and facilities.
• Safely handle cattle during routine management procedures, including weighing, vaccinations, deworming, pregnancy diagnosis, artificial insemination support, ear tagging, blood collection assistance, and other research-related activities.
• Operate and maintain agricultural equipment, including tractors, skid steers, utility vehicles, mowers, hay equipment, and other farm machinery.
• Assist with hay and forage production, including mowing, raking, baling, hauling, storing hay, and pasture maintenance.
• Construct, repair, and maintain fences, gates, corrals, water systems, and other farm infrastructure.
• Maintain barns, working facilities, equipment, and research areas to ensure a safe and functional work environment.
• Assist with implementation of research projects by collecting samples, recording data accurately, and following experimental protocols.
• Transport livestock, feed, equipment, and supplies as needed.
• Perform routine maintenance and minor repairs on farm equipment and facilities.
• Follow all animal welfare, biosafety, and workplace safety protocols.
• Work outdoors in varying weather conditions and perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting heavy materials, walking long distances, and handling livestock.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma and six months of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified AND six months of general experience.

Preferred Qualifications

BS in Agricultural Science

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience handling beef cattle using low-stress livestock handling techniques.
• Ability to safely operate tractors and other agricultural equipment.
• Experience with fence construction and repair.
• Knowledge of pasture and forage management practices.
• Basic mechanical skills for equipment maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Ability to safely operate trailers and transport livestock (preferred).
• Ability to work independently while also functioning effectively as part of a research team.
• Ability to lift at least 50 lb and perform strenuous physical labor.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

Regularly involves lifting, bending or other physical exertion. Often exposed to one or more elements such as heat, cold, noise, dust, dirt, chemicals, etc.

Routine deadlines; usually sufficient lead time; variance in work volume seasonal and predictable; priorities can be anticipated; some interruptions are present; involves occasional exposure to demands and pressures from persons other than immediate supervisor.

Job frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching, stooping/kneeling/crouching/crawling, talking, hearing, handling objects with hands, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Job occasionally requires working on weekends.

Job occasionally requires climbing or balancing, and lifting more than 100 pounds. Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically.

Instructions for Applying

Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/

Please apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu.

Screening Date

July 20, 2026, until filled.

Restricted Clause

Position is contingent upon continued availability of funding.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.

What do I do if I need an accommodation?

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.

If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.