Extension Agent, Ravalli County – Agriculture

~ 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

The primary focus of this position is horticulture, forages and livestock. The secondary focus is 4-H Youth Development.

Responsibilities

• Assess the needs of the county's residents to effectively plan, implement and evaluate educational programs.
• Assist groups and individuals in identifying entrepreneurial opportunities to improve their economic position in the county.
• Involve citizens through an advisory process to identify priorities and direction for MSU Extension in Ravalli County in cooperation with other county faculty.
• Assist and educate home and landowners in making ecologically sound land management decisions.
• Plan and implement the Private Applicator (Re)Certification Program for private, restricted-use pesticide applicators.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a Government Pesticide Applicator's License.
• Cooperate and collaborate with area Extension agents and Extension specialists to do effective, integrated educational programming.
• Assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies.
• Comply with all federal, state, university and county reporting requirements.
• Utilize all appropriate media sources to communicate with MSUE personnel and others, and to disseminate information to clientele.
• Position requires frequent night and weekend work, extensive reading, frequent travel throughout the county, occasional travel throughout the state of Montana, and travel to and from programs with adult and youth attendees.
• Position requires considerable in- and out-of-county travel.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain, a valid Montana driver's license or have other means of reliable transportation.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least one degree in agriculture or significant, relevant experience in agricultural production, which may include forage crop production, animal science, range management, farm/ranch management, horticulture or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with groups, such as committees, advisory councils and coalitions.
• Experience working with, and educating, adults and youth in non-classroom settings.
• Experience managing multiple and varied tasks.
• Effective written communication skills.
• Experience working as a self-starter and working with little or no supervision.
• Knowledge, skill and experience in the use of computers for educational programming and management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Experience or training in developing new small business ventures in natural resources or agriculture.
• Demonstrated ability to plan implement and evaluate educational programs with emphases on agriculture and horticulture.
• 4-H leader and youth member training, and volunteer development.
• Demonstrated ability working with volunteers to implement effective programs.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, plan, and implement programs in community development.
• Grant writing experience.

Additional Qualifications:

• The successful candidate will possess excellent human relations skills, evidence of good judgment, flexibility and innovativeness in order to respond to the changing needs of the people in Ravalli County and the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• The successful candidate will also have 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.

To Apply

• Please click below: "Apply Here!"
• Applicants should submit a cover letter, a response that addresses each qualification, a resume, and the names, phone numbers and e-mails of 5 professional references.
• Screening of applications begins January 31, 2017, and continues until a suitable candidate is selected.