Extension Agent – Ag, Nat Resources, Hort, 4-H – Teton County

~ Montana State University officials announced today that 15,688 students are attending classes at MSU this fall, which is a new enrollment record for the university. ~

MSU's fall census indicates that the 2015 MSU headcount is up 267 students, or 1.7 percent, from last year's record of 15,421 students. It is the ninth time in the last 10 years that MSU has set an enrollment record. MSU is the largest, fastest-growing university in Montana.

The university's colleges of engineering, agriculture and business were the three fastest-growing colleges. MSU's College of Engineering has grown a remarkable 57 percent, or 1,311 students, since the fall of 2010. The college's current enrollment is 3,611 - the second largest on campus after the College of Letters and Science.

Position Overview

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. (MSU Faculty Handbook Retention, Tenure, and Promotion Review Definitions, 2017). For a complete list of expectations view the Montana State University Extension Field Faculty Expectations for Extension Scholarship document.

The main emphases of this full-time position, Extension Agent, are Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Horticulture, 4-H/Youth Development and Community Development. The Teton County Extension Office is staffed by one other Extension agent whose job emphases are mainly in the areas of Family Consumer Science, 4-H/Youth Development, and Community Development. The agents are assisted by one full-time and one part-time administrative assistant.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, teach, facilitate and evaluate educational programs in agriculture, with emphases on irrigated and dryland crop production, livestock production, weed control, farm management, range management and pesticide education.
• Collaborate and cooperate fully with peer agent in management and implementation of the overall 4-H program which includes program development, coordination, implementation and evaluation.
• Cooperate and collaborate with area Extension agents, Extension specialists, and other appropriate community professionals to do effective educational programming.
• In cooperation with Teton County Extension staff and with MSU Extension Information Technology staff, maintain the county Extension website.
• Collaborate with area weed management organizations and weed districts to provide weed management education.
• Assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies.
• Comply with all Extension federal, state, university and county reporting requirements.
• Utilize all available media sources, including electronic mail, the Internet and other advancing technology, to communicate with MSU Extension staff and others, and research topics and disseminate information to clientele.
• In addition to regular daytime office hours, this position requires some night and weekend work.
• The position also requires extensive reading, frequent travel throughout the county, occasional travel throughout the state of Montana, and travel to and from programs with adult and youth participants.
• The position requires using a variety of teaching methods, and handling and operating a variety of demonstration and educational equipment.
• Must possess, or be able to possess, a Montana drivers license or have other means of reliable transportation.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

• Bachelors Degree Demonstrated ability to lead groups, and to organize, plan, teach and evaluate educational programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work with little or no supervision. Demonstrated ability in effective communication and leadership.
• Computer literacy as demonstrated by evidence of computer use in program development, delivery and/or management.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with youth and adults.

Preferred Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills:

• Masters Degree At least one degree (either Bachelors or Masters degree) or relevant work experience in Agronomy, Crop/Plant Science, Animal Science or other agriculture/natural resource degree area.
• Experience and/or training in youth development.
• Experience and/or training in the areas of dryland crop production and livestock production.
• Experience in volunteer management.
• Facilitation and mediation experience or training.
• Training and/or experience in budget development and management.
• The successful candidate will possess excellent human relations skills, the ability to work effectively with other staff members, and evidence of good judgment, flexibility and innovativeness in order to respond to the changing needs of the people in Teton County, and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• The successful candidate will also have familiarity with different socioeconomic audiences, an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information:

• In addition to regular daytime office hours, this position requires some night and weekend work.
• The position also requires extensive reading, frequent travel throughout the county, occasional travel throughout the state of Montana, and travel to and from programs with adult and youth participants.
• The position also requires using a variety of teaching methods, and handling and operating a variety of demonstration and educational equipment.
• Must possess, or be able to possess, a Montana drivers license or have other means of reliable transportation.In accordance with MSU policy, hiring will be conditional upon successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
• This position, if filled at the Masters degree level, will be tenure-track.
• A successful candidate without a Masters degree will be required to complete their Masters 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.
• 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 Universitys rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
• 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.
• 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 Universitys rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent travel throughout the county; occasional travel throughout the state.
• Handing and moving a variety of educational equipment. Ability to give presentations in outside venues.
• Be able to lift and carry minimum of 25 pounds, with or without accommodation, including educational materials.

The Program:

• Across Montana, there are 92 agents and 32 specialists in Extension who are MSU faculty members, living and working in more than 60 offices and communities statewide.
• These professionals serve in their local communities and counties, responding to emerging needs of families, producers, businesses and industry.
• MSU Extension improves the lives of Montana citizens by providing unbiased research-based education and information that integrates learning, discovery and engagement to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

To Apply

• Please click "Apply on Company Website" below.

Posting Detail Information:

• Screening of applications will begin on November 12, 2018; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions:

• Applicants should submit a cover letter, a response that addresses each qualification, plus the names, phone numbers and e-mails of five (5) professional references. In addition.
• This position is administratively responsible to the Central Region Department Head, through the hiring authority of the Executive Director of Extension.
• This position, if filled at the Masters degree level, will be tenure-track.
• A successful candidate without a Masters degree will be required to complete their Masters 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.
• For assistance in applying, please contact Mary Fran San Soucie.