Extension Agent - Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development - Carbon County

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 24004

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Tracy Mosley at 406-223-4727 or [email protected]

Classification Title Extension Agent Working Title Extension Agent - Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development - Carbon County Brief Position Overview

This position is located in Joliet, Montana.

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 emphases of this Carbon County Extension agent position are in the areas of Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development. The Carbon County Extension office is staffed by one Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development agent, one Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development agent, and one three-quarter time administrative assistant.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Up to Professor Position Number 4B3736 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 $45,825. Minimum base salary with Master's degree is $52,825. Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

Carbon County, located in south-central Montana, was created in 1895 from portions of Park and Yellowstone Counties. The county encompasses 2,066 square miles and is surrounded by the Beartooth Mountains, Pryor Mountains, and Big Horn River. The county population is just over 10,800, with 2,300 located in the county seat of Red Lodge. Other communities in Carbon County include Bearcreek, Belfry, Boyd, Bridger, Fromberg, Edgar, Joliet, Luther, Roberts, Roscoe, and Silesia.

Carbon County's economy is based in agriculture, recreation, and tourism. Land distribution includes 17% cropland and 78% pastureland with nearly 99,000 acres irrigated. Census data indicates the county ranks fifth in the state for market value of livestock products sold and twelfth in all agriculture products (2017). Livestock, forages, and small grains are predominant agricultural crops.

Carbon County 4-H has 215 active members and 62 volunteer leaders enrolled in the program. The program encompasses 10 organized 4-H clubs, as well as archery, shooting sports, and dog project clubs. Complete (K-12) school systems exist in the communities of Belfry, Bridger, Fromberg, Joliet, Red Lodge, and Roberts and a K-8 school in Luther. Red Lodge is home to Beartooth Billings Clinic and assisted living facilities in Red Lodge and Roberts. The county, which is a short distance from Billings, MT, offers a variety of recreational opportunities which include skiing, golfing, hunting, fishing, and camping.

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communications 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 and farm/ranch, natural resource, and small acreage management; irrigated and dryland crop production; and horticulture that result in positive community impacts.

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

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 Carbon County.

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

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor's degree in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, or related field.

Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess needs; and plan, implement, facilitate, teach, and evaluate educational programs for youth and adult audiences.

Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership for Extension programming for youth, adults, and volunteers.

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with individuals, groups, and community organizations representing a wide variety of youth and adult audiences.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Master's degree.

At least one degree or relevant work experience in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, or related field.

Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and help them find constructive solutions to locally identified issues.

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 Carbon 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 is 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 ().