About the role
Position Function
This position provides support to the research program operations including assisting in farm production operations and equipment and facilities maintenance.
Employees hired into Intermittent positions are limited to working no more than 720 hours per fiscal year.
Salary Grade: UC
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
The position is based in Prairie, MS at the Prairie Research Unit.
Area of Specialization
Beef cattle and pasture field work
Anticipated Appointment Date
July 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following examples are intended as illustrations only of the various types of duties assigned in positions allocated to this classification. The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment of the position.
- Assists faculty and staff with demonstrations and/or projects.
- Operates farm equipment.
- Assists with cattle handling and care to include feeding and herd health tasks.
- Assists with land preparation, planting, cultivating, fertilizing, applying herbicide, and harvesting of crops to include hay and pastures.
- Performs general maintenance and upgrades of facilities to include fences, cattle handling facilities, and cattle water supply systems.
- Assists with cleaning and servicing vehicles and equipment.
- Assists with building cleaning, demonstration area upkeep, and facilities appearance upkeep.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED, plus one year of livestock and forage production field work, and/or equipment and machinery experience.
- Must have a valid driver’s license.
Preferred Qualifications
- Educational attainment beyond the minimum required.
- Farm-related work experience beyond the minimum required.
- Previous experience with cattle handling and care.
- Previous experience operating and maintaining farm equipment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
-Mechanical and technical skills related to essential duties and responsibilities
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
- Ability to work in extreme weather conditions.
- Requires heavy physical work; heavy lifting, pushing, or pulling required of objects up to
50 pounds.
- Will operate and work in close proximity with heavy farm equipment.
- Possible contact with herbicides and pesticides.
- Must be willing to occasionally work assignments outside of normal business hours to include weekend hours.
Instructions for Applying
Link to apply: http://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/
Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu by completing the Support Staff application and attaching a resume. Please include the complete contact information for at least three professional references.
Screening Date
July 24, 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.