Extension Agent Family and Consumer Science and Community Development - Richland County

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 23071

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

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

Classification Title Extension Agent Working Title Extension Agent Family and Consumer Science and Community Development - Richland County Brief Position Overview

The position is located in Sidney, Montana

The primary focus for this full-time position will be to assess local community needs, then to develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The main emphasis of the Richland County position will be in the disciplines of Family and Consumer Science and Community Development. The Extension Office staff in Richland County includes full-time agents in the areas of 4-H and Agriculture/Horticulture and a full- time office administrative assistant.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Up to Professor Position Number 4B0016 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

The position is located in Sidney, Montana. 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 approximate land area of the county is 2,105 square miles. 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.

The Sidney school system features elementary, middle, and high schools. K through 12 education is also available in the communities of Fairview, Savage, and Lambert. Richland County also has 2 rural K-6 schools and a parochial school in Sidney for K-12. Sidney features a modern state of the art hospital with numerous visiting specialists. Outdoor recreation opportunities abound in Richland County with a variety of hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking opportunities in the county or within a short drive. There are also history and cultural opportunities through the MonDak Heritage and Art Center and the Fort Union Trading Post.

Duties and Responsibilities

Plan, implement, and evaluate Economic and Community Development programs, through a local, needs-driven process.

Plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate and educational Family and Consumer Sciences programs through a local, needs-driven process.

Work closely with formal and informal advisors to identify educational needs in the areas of Family and Consumer Science and Community Development for programming opportunities in Richland County.

Collaborate with the 4-H and Agriculture agents in the Richland County office to identify and present cross discipline programming.

Involve local citizens and community organizations in identifying needs and priorities, targeting new audiences, and developing and implementing appropriate and responsive educational programming.

Serve as an ex-officio member of various agency and community committees relating to family and consumer science and community development.

Cooperate with other Extension agents in cross-county programming efforts.

Utilize all available media sources, including electronic mail, the internet, and other advancing technology, to communicate with MSU Extension staff and others, and to disseminate information to clientele.

Assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies.

Comply with all Extension, federal, state, university, and county reporting requirements.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor's degree in economic development, community development, family and consumer science or other related fields.

Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess community needs; and develop, organize, plan, teach, and evaluate effective Extension programs.

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 understanding of adult learning theory and its application to community-based education and outreach.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Master's Degree in economic development, community development, family and consumer science or other related fields.

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

Extension Experience

The Successful Candidate Will

Possess excellent human relation skills

Demonstrate a high level of professionalism

Possess the ability to work effectively with other staff members

Show evidence of good judgment

Demonstrate flexibility and innovativeness to respond to changing need of the people of Richland County

Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing

Be motivated and be a self-starter

Be familiar with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic audiences

Have an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds

Be committed to the principles of diversity and be dedicated to supporting and enhancing Montana State University's initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusion

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 ().