Extension Agent - Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development - Phillips County

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 23065

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Larry Brence at 406-874-8236 or [email protected]

Classification Title Extension Agent Working Title Extension Agent - Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development - Phillips County Brief Position Overview

Position is located in Malta, MT.

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 main emphases of the Phillips County Extension Agent position will be in the areas of Agriculture and 4-H/Youth Development with secondary responsibilities in the areas of Community Development and Family and Consumer science. The office is also staffed by a full time administrative assistant.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Up to Professor Position Number 4B3653 Department Extension Agents/Field Division Extension Appointment Type Faculty Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining 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 $42,000. Minimum base salary with Master's degree is $49,000. Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

This position is located in Malta, MT.

Phillips County, located in northeastern Montana is the second largest county in the state. It is bordered to the North by Canada and to the South by the Missouri River and is dissected by the Milk River. The county is approximately 5,212 square miles with 363,200 acres in cropland of which 40,000 acres can be irrigated. Primary crops grown in the county are winter wheat, spring wheat, alfalfa & pulse crops such as peas & lentils. The main irrigated crops include corn, alfalfa, & grass for hay. Livestock operations are mostly cow/calf operations with some stocker, backgrounding, and finishing operations. There are also a limited number of sheep, goat, and swine operations. In addition, there are some honey bee operations and a single large poultry operation that produces 9000 eggs per day.

The Phillips County 4-H program has 149 youth members, 35 volunteers, & 7 active clubs. The population of Phillips County is approximately 4,192 including Malta, the county seat, which has a population of approximately 1,847. Other towns in the county include Dodson, Saco, Whitewater, Loring, & Zortman. K-12 Education is available in Malta, Dodson, Saco, & Whitewater. The area offers a variety of recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, boating & paddle fishing in the Missouri River in the spring. The Little Rocky Mountains, a small mountain range about 45 minutes south of Malta, offers camping and off-road vehicle opportunities.

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills, and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of students and the mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities

Develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research- based educational programs in agriculture, with emphases on livestock production; irrigated and dryland crop production; and horticulture that will result in positive community impacts.

Provide leadership to stakeholder groups in determining priority needs.

Conduct continual needs assessments in the county and region.

Provide leadership for the development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Phillips County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.

Provide programming and support as necessary in the areas of family and consumer science and community development.

Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups to conduct continuous needs assessments in Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development to inform programming priorities in Phillips County.

Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program in Phillips County.

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 Phillips County.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor's Degree and relevant work experience in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, or related field.

Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers.

Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership to Extension programming relating to volunteers and youth.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and varied tasks and to accept and delegate responsibilities.

Demonstrated knowledge and skills in the use of information technologies for the dissemination of educational information, educational programming, and management

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Master's degree

Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups

Demonstrated ability to help groups find constructive solutions to controversial or contentious issues

Grant writing experience

Extension experience or demonstrated understanding of the Extension education model.

The Successful Candidate Will

The successful candidate will possess excellent human relation skills; a high level of professionalism; the ability to work effectively with other staff members; evidence of good judgment; flexibility and innovation to respond to changing needs of people in Phillips County ; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will also have a familiarity with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic audiences, an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity. Dedication to supporting and enhancing Montana State University's initiative for diversity, equity and inclusiveness.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This position, if filled at the Master's degree level, will be tenure-track. A successful candidate without a Master's degree will be required to complete their Master's degree, in a program area relevant to their Extension position, within six (6) years of their start date. Failure to do so may result in termination.

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), or have other reliable means of transportation. Must have access to a vehicle to use for work (mileage will be reimbursed), and have minimum vehicle liability insurance. 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.

The Program

The scholarship of Extension work at MSU is defined as, “The creation of partnerships, programs, and plans through Extension, or other community-based research, that leverage the knowledge and resources of the university and the public/private sector to enhance learning, discovery, and engagement; educate and engage citizens; strengthen communities; address locally identified issues and problems; apply and disseminate knowledge; and contribute to the public good.”

The Department The College

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search Position End Date (if temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications will be:

Review of applications will be on a continual basis and will continue until the position(s) are filled.

Special Instructions

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

Diversity Statement

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples. https: // www. montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/dualcareer.html

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. https: // www. montana.edu/hr/recruitment- guidelines/affirmativeactionplan.html.

MSU's Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https: // www. montana.edu/policy/discrimination/index.html .

FLSA Details

FLSA Determination

FLSA Status Exempt Applicant Documents

Required Documents

Resume OR Curriculum Vitae

Cover Letter addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ().