What are the responsibilities and job description for the Extension Agent - Agriculture / 4-H Youth Development - Lake County position at Montana State University?
MSU Extension seeks individuals who work professionally and effectively with communities, who foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, who exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills, and who can contribute positively to the people and places of Montana under the guidelines and mission of Montana State University.
Focus of this position is to plan, implement and evaluate horticulture, agriculture, and natural resource educational programs serving all Lake County clientele emphasizing traditional and emerging interests. Horticulture, forage production, invasive species, pasture management, livestock nutrition and water management can be focus disciplines. The audiences for identified emphases are commercial ranchers and farmers, small acreage stewards, and residential clients. The successful candidate will provide leadership by working successfully with volunteers and clientele to identify and meet community needs in Lake County. Other responsibilities include collaboration with peers in 4-H Youth Development or other Extension disciplines to assist MSU Extension in generating positive community impacts.
The MSU Extension Lake County Office also has an agent for Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development, and a full-time administrative professional.
Focus of this position is to plan, implement and evaluate horticulture, agriculture, and natural resource educational programs serving all Lake County clientele emphasizing traditional and emerging interests. Horticulture, forage production, invasive species, pasture management, livestock nutrition and water management can be focus disciplines. The audiences for identified emphases are commercial ranchers and farmers, small acreage stewards, and residential clients. The successful candidate will provide leadership by working successfully with volunteers and clientele to identify and meet community needs in Lake County. Other responsibilities include collaboration with peers in 4-H Youth Development or other Extension disciplines to assist MSU Extension in generating positive community impacts.
The MSU Extension Lake County Office also has an agent for Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development, and a full-time administrative professional.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate educational programs in natural resources, horticulture, agriculture, and 4-H Youth Development as determined by local community engagement.
- Collaborate with fellow MSU Extension Lake County faculty to develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate 4-H Youth Development programs.
- Collaborate with other faculty in Lake County and other nearby MSU Extension offices.
- Strengthen the impact and scope of the Extension Natural Resource/Horticulture/Agriculture program in Lake County.
- Provide program leadership by collaborating with Extension field faculty and specialists to deliver needed programs in Lake County and the surrounding area.
- Provide leadership to stakeholder groups in determining priority needs.
- Involve community leaders in exploring and responding to agriculture policy and natural resource issues that affect Lake County.
- Conduct continual needs assessments in the county and region.
- Cooperate with MSU Extension staff to develop a team approach to the planning, development and implementation of overall MSU Extension programming in Lake County, which will benefit the effectiveness of the Lake County office.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Bachelor’s Degree in natural resources, horticulture, agriculture, or related fields.
- Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess community needs; and develop, organize, plan, teach, and evaluate effective 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 natural resources, horticulture, agriculture, or related field and/or relevant work experience.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and help them find constructive solutions to locally identified issues.
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 Lake 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.)
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.
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.)
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 1, 2025; 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.
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.
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.
FLSA Details
FLSA Determination
FLSA Status
Exempt
