Position Details Position Information Announcement Number FAC - VA - 24123 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Larry Brence 406-874-8236 lbrence@montana.edu Classification Title Extension Agent Working Title Extension Agent - Sheridan County Brief Position Overview MSU Extension seeks individuals who desire to make a difference in lives and communities. 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 main emphases of the Sheridan County Extension Agent position will be 4-H/Youth Development with secondary responsibilities in the areas of Agriculture, Community Development and Family and Consumer science. The office is also staffed by a full-time administrative assistant.Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Up to Professor Position Number 4B3781 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 $47,500. Minimum base salary with Master’s degree is $54,500. Contract Type MUS If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open Position Details General Statement Sheridan County is located in the extreme northeastern corner of Montana bordering North Dakota to the east and Canada to the north. The Extension office is located in Plentywood which is also the county seat. Sheridan County is a rural agricultural community whose top industry centers on the family farm and ranch. Wheat, cattle, and pulse crops are the major agricultural products, with Sheridan County leading the state in durum wheat production. Sheridan County is also the leading pulse crop producing county in the US.The 4-H program has an enrollment of 98 youth in 5 clubs throughout the county, and 17 volunteer leaders. Oil production and development is also an important component of the local economy. Sheridan County has excellent health care and retirement facilities and is the location of a center for developmentally disabled adults. According to the 2020 Census, the population of Sheridan County is 3564 residents of whom 1669 live in Plentywood which also serves as the primary trade center for the county. K-12 education is available in Plentywood, Medicine Lake, and Westby. Sporting opportunities abound in Sheridan County with the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, world class pheasant hunting, and numerous other recreational and sporting opportunities.MSU Extension seeks individuals who work professionally and effectively with communities, who foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, who exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills, and who can contribute positively to the people and places of Montana under the guidelines and mission of Montana State University.Duties and Responsibilities
Provide leadership for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Sheridan County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
Develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in agriculture, community vitality, and family and consumer science as identified by community needs.
Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups to conduct continuous needs assessments in 4-H Youth Development and other areas, to inform programming priorities in Sheridan County.
Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program in Sheridan 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 Sheridan County.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor’s degree.
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 youth development, education, agriculture, family and consumer science, community vitality 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 Sheridan County; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will establish relationships and work with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable. 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 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 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.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 applicants will be on a continual basis 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.
