Extension Agent - 4-H/Youth Development - Richland County

Job Description

Position Information

Announcement Number: FAC - VA - 26030

For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Larry Brence
406-874-8236
lbrence@montana.edu

Classification Title: Extension Agent

Working Title: Extension Agent - 4-H/Youth Development - Richland County

Brief Position Overview
This position is located in Sidney, Montana.

MSU Extension seeks individuals who desire to make a difference in lives and communities. The primary duty for County Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, then to develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The primary emphases for this full-time position will be to provide leadership and educational programming in the discipline of 4-H/Youth Development.

The Extension Office staff in Richland County also includes full time agents who cover agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer science, and community and economic development. There is also a full time administrative assistant in the office.

Faculty Tenure Track: Yes

Faculty Rank: Up to Professor

Position Number: 4B3349

Department: Extension Agents/Field

Division: Extension

Appointment Type: Faculty

Contract Term: Fiscal Year

FTE: 1.0

Benefits Eligible: Eligible

Salary: MSU Extension is committed to equitable salaries. Beginning salaries are determined by an analysis of education and previous experience. Minimum base salary with Bachelor's degree is $49,580. Minimum base salary with Master's degree is $56,580.

Recruitment Type: Open

Position Details

General Statement
Richland County is located in eastern Montana with North Dakota as its eastern border and the Missouri River as its northern border. The confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers is just across the border in North Dakota. As of the 2010 Census, the population of Richland County is 10,803 with the largest population center being Sidney with a population of 6,173. Due to major expansion of oil and gas activity in the area, the population of Richland County grew rapidly but has slowed in recent times due to falling energy prices. The Richland County 4-H Program currently has 226 youth members and 83 registered volunteer leaders. Primary economic engines in the county are oil and gas production and agriculture. The Montana State University Eastern Ag Research Station and USDA Ag Research Service Northern Plains Ag Research Laboratory are also located near Sidney.

MSU Extension seeks individuals who work professionally and effectively with communities, who foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, who exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills, and who can contribute positively to the people and places of Montana under the guidelines and mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in 4-H Youth Development.
• Collaborate with fellow MSU Extension Richland County faculty and other nearby Extension Agents to develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate 4-H Youth Development programs.
• Collaborate with local stakeholders and Extension staff to continually assess needs to inform educational programming priorities in Richland County and potential collaboration with other counties and reservations.
• Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with peer Extension agents, Extension specialists, county commissioners, and appropriate local individuals, groups, boards, agencies, and organizations to leverage educational programming in Richland County.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Bachelor's Degree and relevant work experience in youth development, education, public administration or related fields.
2. Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers.
3. Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess needs; and plan, implement, facilitate, teach, and evaluate educational programs for youth and adult audiences.
4. Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership for Extension programming for youth, adults, and volunteers.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Master's degree
2. At least one degree or relevant work experience in youth development, education, public administration or related fields.
3. Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and help them find constructive solutions to locally identified issues.
4. Extension Experience or demonstrated understanding of the Extension education model.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess excellent human relation skills.
• Work with a high level of professionalism.
• Possess the ability to work effectively with other staff members.
• Demonstrate evidence of good judgment.
• Have the flexibility and innovation to respond to changing needs of people in Richland County.
• Possess the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Establish relationships and work with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
If the successful candidate holds a Master's degree, the position will be filled as a tenure track position. If the successful candidate does not hold a Master's degree, the position will be filled as a non-tenure track position; however, upon completion of a Master's degree, they will transition to a tenure track position.

Work hours vary and are influenced by community needs. Work outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, is not unusual. Position includes continuous professional development, frequent travel throughout the county, and occasional travel throughout the state of Montana.

Must possess a valid driver's license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver's license, must obtain a valid Montana driver's license within 60 days of hire.)

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies: 1

Desired Start Date: Upon completion of a successful search

Applications will be:
Applications will be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for NEW sponsorship.

Please note – for this position – Five (5) references have been requested.

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.

To apply, visit https://jobs.montana.edu/postings/49365