Career Opportunities with
Montana Stockgrowers Association

Program Coordinator

FUNCTION: 

To develop and implement marketing, communication and program strategies for the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

AUTHORITY: 

To coordinate, organize and implement all MSGA communication strategies, provide support  and coordination to the policy team on policy content development and distribution, execute administrative support for MSGA’s Producer Profitability Initiative, and coordinate MSGA events.

REPORTABILITY: 

The Program Coordinator reports to the Marketing and Communications Director with direction from the Executive Vice President of the Montana Stockgrowers Association.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

MSGA COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

  • Develop and maintain public relation strategies with assistance from other staff.
  • Write, edit, and distribute press releases, audio/visual clips and issue response information including letters-to-the-editor, media talking points, FAQs, reports, etc.
  • Serve as the association’s media contact for direct media inquiries and pitching interviews and stories to media
  • Coordinate responses or interviews with staff, officers and district directors, MSGA members or speak on behalf of the organization as necessary.
  • Respond in a timely manner, and with urgency, to information requests received from the media.
  • Maintain media distribution lists and list of association spokespeople. 
  • Maintain and update the news section of www.mtbeef.org
  • Monitor media regarding beef industry issues: tracks and reports on key industry issues in the traditional media and appearing online, keeps a record of MSGA media mentions to gauge the effectiveness of media/public relations efforts.
  • Assists with media needs for associated organization publicity when requested. (i.e., Montana Public Lands Council, Montana Association of State Grazing Districts, Montana CattleWomen, etc.)

POLICY COMMUNICATIONS AND CONTENT DEVELOPMENT

  • Develop and produce policy and issue content for social media platforms.
  • Report and distribute timely and accurate information from the state legislature in coordination with the policy team.
  • Coordinate the legislative recap report at the end of the legislative session.
  • Assist the policy team with timely updates on issues from a local, state and federal level.
  • Coordinate with third-party vendors on content creation.
  • Assists with the coordination and production of the Ranchers’ Voice podcast.

PRODUCER PROFITABILITY

  • Administer the program and events related to the Producer Profitability Initiative.
  • Maintain and coordinate updates for Producer Profitability on www.mtbeeffoundation.org
  • Maintain the database for the Producer Profitability Initiative.
  • Plan/coordinate meetings and special events when necessary.
  • Coordinate with staff to ensure sponsor recognition is executed.

EVENT COORDINATION

  • Assist with the planning and coordination of the MidYear Meeting, Annual Convention and Trade Show, Board of Directors Meetings, and other events.

OTHER

  • Serve as the support staff for the Executive Vice President by administrative tasks related to job responsibilities.
  • Contribute the organization’s membership strategy, value proposition, and business metrics.
  • Contribute to the Montana Stockgrowers Association’s mission.
  • Other duties as assigned.

MONTANA STOCKGROWERS ASSOCIATION’S BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES: 

COMMITMENT

Employees demonstrate loyalty and dedication to meet organization goals by demonstrating a steady commitment to serving members, the board of directors, coworkers, business partners, and others. Supports organizational decisions. Is reliable and dependable. Follows through on commitments and meets deadlines. Demonstrates good attendance. Demonstrates consistent proficiency in the position. Actively participates and supports a positive and safe culture in the organization.

COMMUNICATION

Employees demonstrate effective and appropriate communication skills by writing and speaking clearly and logically. Listens and respects viewpoints of others. Solicits and provides feedback. Follow through with communication at all appropriate levels. Builds trust with contacts. Resolves issues and conflicts by using diplomacy. Focuses on the situation rather than the person. Exercises good judgment and negotiation skills.

INITIATIVE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Employees demonstrate initiative and accountability by being a self starter. Recognize what needs to be done. Works independently. Makes appropriate decisions. Handles multiple tasks and deadlines. Focuses on tasks and uses time wisely. Prioritizes and organizes work. Shows attention to detail. Reviews work for accuracy. Seeks input from supervisors, coworks, and others. Takes responsibility for own actions.

INFLUENCE

Employees demonstrate effective influence by setting a positive example for others. Works within their chain of command. Shows leadership. Shares ideas. Acts as a role model. Mentors others. Inspires confidence. Honors agreements. Develops relationships and networks. Positively affects results.

PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS

Employees demonstrate personal effectiveness by showing a high standard of honesty, integrity, and trustworthiness. Treats others with respect. Provides support and shows appreciation to others. Acts professionally in difficult situations. Is flexible and responds positively to challenges and change. Is cooperative. Shows a consistent and positive attitude. Works well under pressure. Works effectively as a team member.

THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

Employees demonstrate good thinking and problem solving skills. Recognizes problems and finds solutions. Uses creativity and applies new concepts. Visualizes impacts and finds opportunities to meet the organization’s mission and goals. Seeks new ideas and techniques to improve productivity and organizational effectiveness.

COMPENSATION:

Salary range is between $45,000 – $52,500, based on experience and job qualifications. A comprehensive benefits package is provided. 

TO APPLY:

Resumes and cover letters will be accepted until May 30, 2025. Submit resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Duration: Permanent full-time position

Job Location: Montana Stockgrowers Association, Helena, MT

Internship Opportunities

Summer Internship Program

The MSGA Summer Internship Program was created to provide students with a hands-on experience of the various facets of association event planning and execution, policy development, social media engagement and coverage, and member engagement.

Applicants will be accepted from January 1, 2025, through February 15, 2025. The internship will take place May – August. Start and end dates are flexible.

About Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA)

Montana Stockgrowers Association (MSGA) is a grassroots, non-profit membership organization with a 140-year history of advocating on behalf of Montana cattle ranchers to ensure cattle ranching remains relevant, safe, and a sustainable way of life for generations to come.

MSGA is the trusted voice of cattle ranchers, and advocate of cattle ranching for state and federal legislators and a true partner in efforts to preserve & advance Montana’s cattle industry.

The membership of MSGA consists of cattle ranchers, led by cattle ranchers, who honor the past & embrace the future. Our members cover the state of Montana and include ranchers of all ages, operations large and small, feedlot operators, affiliate businesses, private property owners, and supporters and friends of Montana ranchers whose livelihood and identity are tied to the Montana cattle industry.

Find more info at www.mtbeef.org 

Eligibility

  • Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA.  
  • Applicants should be an undergraduate college student at a sophomore or junior level at the time of application submission.
  • An agricultural, communications, or marketing degree program or background is preferred but not required. 
  • Applicants should possess excellent communication skills with a strong work ethic. 
  • Applicants should be US residents. 
  • Applicants must be available to work in the MSGA Helena office during the designation internship duration.

Start & End Date

The internship duration will be from May – August, 2025. Start and end dates can be flexible based on the candidate’s school schedule. The Montana Stockgrowers Association office will be closed for summer break from June 30 – July 4, 2025.

Lodging/Travel

Interns must provide their own lodging during the internship. A minimal amount of travel will be required to and from MSGA and MSF events. Travel during those times will be covered by MSGA.

Compensation

 $15/hour

How to Apply

Find the online application at www.mtbeef.org/careers

Application Deadline

Applicants will be accepted from January 1, 2025 through February 15, 2025. The selected applicants will be notified by March 1, 2025.

Marketing & Communications Intern

Responsible for assisting the Director of Marketing & Communications with all formal association communications including public relations, external communications, member communications, and event management. This position will act as an assistant editor of all association publications and written materials. Monitors and reports on the beef industry and ranching issues in the traditional and trade media and online and helps develop and disseminate issue information to association stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Be available to assist with media requests and assist with scheduling interviews with local news, radio, or print outlets.
  • Assist in the planning of the following events: MidYear Meeting, Annual Convention & Trade Show, and the TBone Classic Gala Dinner and Golf Tournament. 
  • Provide event support to MSGA staff during the MidYear Meeting..
  • Produce outreach content through social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, etc. 
  • Capture photos at events and on other assignments to be published digitally and in print campaigns. 
  • Solicit listings and advertisements for MSGA’s Annual Seedstock & Commercial Cattle Directory. 
  • Coordinate MSGA’s weekly e-update
  • Acts as an assistant editor of the MSGA monthly newsletter – The Stockgrower Update: solicits, writes and gathers articles; and designs ads and graphics as necessary. 
  • Writes, edits and distributes press releases, audio/visual clips and issue response information including letters-to-the-editor, media talking points, FAQs, reports, etc. 
  • Monitors media regarding beef industry issues: tracks and reports on key industry issues in the traditional media and appearing online, keeps a record of MSGA media mentions to gauge the effectiveness of media/public relations efforts. 
  • Design association social media posts, event graphics, and brochures as needed.
  • Update MSGA’s website utilizing WordPress.
  • Digitize historical documents and organize them in MSGA’s file management system. 
  • Other tasks as assigned.

Reports To: MSGA Director of Marketing & Communications and the Executive Vice President.

Successful candidates should have strong organizational skills, communications skills, and the ability to meet deadlines. Experience and knowledge in event management & planning, public relations writing, photography, and social media is desired. Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite of software, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Lightroom, WordPress, and HTML  is a plus.