Station Manager – West River Ag Center & Extension
Brookings Economic Development Corporation, Brookings, SD, United States
South Dakota State University’s West River Research & Extension is hiring a Station Manager for the Cottonwood Field Station near Philip, SD. The Manager will provide daily livestock care, maintain and improve the station grounds and facilities, support research and outreach projects, budget, and supervise interns and graduate students on the 2,640‑acre station which includes grazing lands, offices, shops, equipment storage, livestock barns, new multi‑purpose and feedlot facilities, and seasonal stocker cattle.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for daily livestock care and grazing management; station grounds and facilities maintenance and improvement to meet high standards for research productivity, station appearance, and animal welfare; and proactive support of research and outreach projects.
SALARY RANGE
The salary range for the Station Manager is $48,613 – $63,196 depending on qualifications.
BENEFITS
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefitsincluding medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural/Biological Science or related field by start date.
1 to 3 years of related experience.
South Dakota driver’s license.
Beef Quality Assurance certified within 6 months of employment start date.
South Dakota Restricted pesticide applicator license.
Experience with cattle, preferably cow/calf, care and management.
Experience with ranch equipment operation and upkeep, including tractors and feed trucks/wagons.
Working knowledge of or willingness to learn research protocols along with advanced animal care for research purposes.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Two or more years of Animal and/or Range Science research experience.
Master’s degree in Agriculture/Biological Science or related field.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Position closes 05/08/2026.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4128.
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KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position is responsible for daily livestock care and grazing management; station grounds and facilities maintenance and improvement to meet high standards for research productivity, station appearance, and animal welfare; and proactive support of research and outreach projects.
SALARY RANGE
The salary range for the Station Manager is $48,613 – $63,196 depending on qualifications.
BENEFITS
SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefitsincluding medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.
QUALIFICATIONS
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural/Biological Science or related field by start date.
1 to 3 years of related experience.
South Dakota driver’s license.
Beef Quality Assurance certified within 6 months of employment start date.
South Dakota Restricted pesticide applicator license.
Experience with cattle, preferably cow/calf, care and management.
Experience with ranch equipment operation and upkeep, including tractors and feed trucks/wagons.
Working knowledge of or willingness to learn research protocols along with advanced animal care for research purposes.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Two or more years of Animal and/or Range Science research experience.
Master’s degree in Agriculture/Biological Science or related field.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Position closes 05/08/2026.
Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.
SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.
South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4128.
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