Job Information
Montana State University Extension Agent - Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development - Stillwater County in Bozeman, Montana
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number FAC - VA - 23068
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Tracy Mosley at 406-223-4727 or tmosley@montana.edu
Classification Title Extension Agent
Working Title Extension Agent - Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development - Stillwater County
Brief Position Overview
This position is located in Columbus, 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 Stillwater County Extension agent position are in the areas of Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development. The Stillwater 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 full-time administrative assistant.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes
Faculty Rank Up to Professor
Position Number 4B3996
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 Columbus, Montana.
Other communities in Stillwater County include Absarokee, Columbus, Fishtail, Molt, Nye, Park City, Rapelje, and Reed Point. The county population in 2022 was just over 9,000, with around 2,000 located in the county seat of Columbus. Other communities in Stillwater County include Absarokee, Columbus, Fishtail, Nye, Park City, Rapelje, Molt and Reed Point.
Stillwater County’s economy is based in mining, quarrying, and oil extraction; agriculture; health care and social assistance; and tourism. Land distribution includes 72% pastureland and 23% cropland, including 74,000 acres of hay and 26,000 acres of small grains.
Stillwater County 4-H has 205 active members and 32 volunteer leaders enrolled in the program. The program encompasses 9 organized 4-H clubs, county-wide dog, shooting sports, and teen leader program. Complete (K-12) school systems exist in the communities of Absarokee, Columbus, Park City, Rapelje, and Reed Point. Fishtail and Nye have pre-K-6 schools. The county, which is a short distance from Billings, MT, offers a variety of recreational opportunities.
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 forage and crop production; and horticulture that result in positive community impacts.
Provide shared leadership for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Stillwater County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
Collaborate with local and regional Extension staff and stakeholders to conduct continuous needs assessments in Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development to inform educational programming priorities in Stillwater County.
Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program in Stillwater 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 Stillwater County.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, or a 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 Stillwater County; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will also possess 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, and 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:
Screening of applications will begin on April 24, 2023; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
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/affirmative_action_plan.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.