EARC Administrative Associate III

Announcement Number:
STAFF - VA - 26430

For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Chengci Chen
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Classification Title:
Admin Assoc III

Working Title:
EARC Administrative Associate III

Brief Position Overview:
The Administrative Associate III performs a variety of administrative support, personnel & payroll, and accounting duties for the Eastern Agricultural Research Center ( EARC ), located at Sidney, MT. This includes providing administrative assistance to the superintendent and direct support for faculty and staff at the center. The Administrative Associate III represents the EARC and its interests to entities outside and within the university and plays an active role in the planning and administering day-to-day operations of the front office. The person in this position also reconciles funds and monitors account balance, generates payment authorizations and reports, and arranges center meetings and large-scale functions.

Position Number:
4N0240

Department:
AES EARC

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 range of$$17.820 to $22.275 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type:
Classified Hourly

If other, please specify:

Recruitment Type:
Open

Position Details General Statement:
The Eastern Agricultural Research Center ( EARC ) is located at Sidney, MT, an integral part of Montana State University. EARC is one of the seven Research Centers comprising the Department of Research Centers. Scientists at EARC conduct agricultural field, greenhouse, and laboratory research, interact with farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and MSU Cooperative Extension Service.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of EARC Superintendent, the Administrative III will perform a variety of administrative support, customer service, and fiscal management:

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the front office of EARC , schedule and maintain calendars for EARC staff, and act as principal phone and personal contact for EARC .
• Provide administrative assistant to Superintendent and direct support to faculty and staff, and maintain good working relations with other research centers, Extension offices, Department of Research Centers, and College of Agriculture.
• Prepare invoices, payment authorizations, deposits, travel expense vouchers, and other University financial forms.
• Monitor University purchasing card transitions, reconcile and monitor the balance of various University and grant funds.
• Prepare personnel forms, including recruitment authorizations, hiring paperwork, timesheets, and monitor monthly payroll process.
• Assist the Superintendent in scheduling and coordinating meetings, such as annual field days and advisory board meetings, including document preparation, refreshments, meals, equipment needs, and recording of minutes.
• Prepare and maintain appropriate office manuals, handouts, promotional materials, and other documents.
• Compile weather data and assist in publishing EARC annual research reports.
• Order and stock office and janitorial supplies, and other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

1. Two years of post-secondary education plus three years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) of progressively responsible administrative support experience;
2. Demonstrated working knowledge of accounting and budgeting principles in managing, monitoring, and reconciling financial records;
3. Demonstrated competence in organizing and prioritizing multiple work assignments, meeting deadlines, and exercising adaptability to changing priorities while maintaining a positive, effective, and professional attitude;
4. Demonstrated experience in word processing, spreadsheets, database, email, and internet programs;
5. Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

1. Demonstrated experience and proficiency with handling financial databases;
2. Demonstrated experience following the state or higher education setting purchases, procedures, and policies.

The Successful Candidate Will:

• Maintain the confidentiality of records and information;
• Communicate effectively with employees, students, and the public, both in-person and over the phone;
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers and the public;
• Be able to work independently with minimal supervision and as part of a team;
• Represent the Eastern Ag Research Center, the Department, and MSU professionally and courteously.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information:
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but is a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State Universitys 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 June 17, 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 Veterans Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veterans preference, please complete the veterans preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.