Program Manager

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26394 For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Jennifer Thomson

jennifer.thomson@montana.edu

406-994-6772

Classification Title Program Mgr Working Title Program Manager Brief Position Overview

The Indigenous Pathways in Agriculture Program Manager is expected to oversee recruitment and retention initiatives to increase the number of Native American students in the college; provide culturally sensitive academic advising; create a sense of community and belonging; offer academic assistance and referrals to other student services available at MSU and in the Bozeman community; complete and maintain articulation agreements with Montana Tribal Colleges; and supervise student interns supporting horticulture activities and programming.

Position Number 4M0427 Department Dean of Agriculture Division College of Agriculture/MAES Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Non-Exempt Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications. Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

The College of Agriculture's Indigenous Pathways in Agriculture is a support program for American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing an agricultural degree at Montana State University. The program's goals are to increase the recruitment and retention of American Indian students in the College of Agriculture at Montana State University and build a strong pathway for American Indian and Alaska Native students to enhance agriculture in their own communities and increase MSU agriculture's ways of knowing and growing. The program recruits and supports students who have a desire to earn a baccalaureate and/or graduate degree in an agricultural field. While financial assistance is available to participating students, the principal benefits of the program are the provision of expert, culturally sensitive academic advising; social support services; academic assistance; and referrals to other student services available at MSU and in the Bozeman community. In addition, the program develops and sustains pathways with Montana Tribal Colleges, including completing and maintaining articulation agreements to support student transfer and progression. The program staff is dedicated to helping American Indian students successfully complete baccalaureate and/or graduate programs in an agricultural discipline at MSU, and to providing applied learning opportunities through supervision of student interns engaged in horticulture activities and programming.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the CoA Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Assistant Dean for Outreach and Recruitment to help prospective students transition to admitted students.
• Coordinate public relations and special events with Dean's office staff.
• Collaborate with CoA Office of Academic Programs and Associate Dean for Academic Programs to coordinate Indigenous Pathways in Agriculture recruitment, admission, progression, and graduation activities with CoA policies and procedures.
• Coordinate with Montana Tribal Colleges to provide educational and developmental programs for students and faculty through Seasonal Institute gatherings and similar events.
• Complete, maintain, and periodically review articulation agreements with Montana Tribal Colleges to support student transfer pathways and academic progression.
• Develop and coordinate Indigenous Pathways in Agriculture student success programs including, but not limited to, peer mentoring, tutoring, and scholarship programs.
• Refer current and prospective students to campus resources.
• Coordinate the recruitment, scheduling, student travel, and housing for the one-week Summer Bridge program.
• Coordinate academic advising of Indigenous Pathways in Agriculture students across all of the College of Agriculture departments and provide oversight of pre-entry programs involving reservation students, educators, and parents.
• Provide supervision, training, and scheduling for student interns supporting horticulture activities and programming, including ensuring safe work practices and documenting intern progress.
• State and regional travel as needed to recruitment events at high schools, colleges, and community information sessions.
• Manage the College of Agriculture Indigenous Pathways in Agriculture website.
• Data entry into master Indigenous Pathways in Agriculture databases of prospective and admitted students in Excel.
• Issue and obtain signed copies of annual student contracts, monitor student progress, and assure compliance with grantee obligations.
• Work directly with PI to achieve the objectives and aims of the Indigenous Pathways in Agriculture gift and other grants, knowing the status of grant and gift accounts and being able to integrate all of the funding sources of this program.
• Aid in preparing grant proposals, writing narratives, gathering statistical information, and acting as final review for tenure-track faculty grants.
• Respond to requests for proposals from potential funders including private and public sources.
• Organize grant meetings, prepare agendas, take and post minutes.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor degree in field of Agriculture, Education or a related field or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience working with diverse communities.
• Computer experience particularly relational database experience.
• Experience with program management with an emphasis in customer relations and retention.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Knowledge of American Indian cultures, history and contemporary issues, particularly those tribes in Montana.
• Experience with retention and recruitment practices in an educational setting.
• Experience with data management and federal program grant reporting processes.
• Experience in workforce diversification programs.
• Experience advocating for economically disadvantaged and underrepresented students.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Experience with contemporary technology uses for program management
• Work effectively with a broad range of constituencies including agricultural faculty, tribal colleges and 2-year colleges, and tribal communities
• Experience communicating information to diverse audiences in diverse settings
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills
• Have excellent leadership and interpersonal skills
• Possess the ability to travel frequently around MT
• Have the ability to work independently and productively with minimum supervision
• Establish and maintain a positive
• Be proficient in computer and technology skills, using Microsoft Office, outlook, excel spreadsheets and social media.
• Possess strong interpersonal and organizational skills; have strong attention to detail.
• Be able to effectively prioritize workload and activities in order to meet deadlines and adapt to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective and professional manner.
• Possess awareness and training in diversity and inclusion with opportunities to enhance their professional development in this area.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid State of Montana Driver's license and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points). Do NOT send a copy of the driver's license.

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? No

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 20, 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.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).