Extension Agent at Montana State University Extension

Extension Agent – Agriculture and 4-H/Youth Development – Pondera County

Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, then to develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The primary emphases of this Pondera County Extension agent position are in the areas of Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development, with secondary emphasis on Community Vitality. The Pondera County Extension office is staffed by a Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development agent, an Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development agent, and one full-time administrative assistant.

SU 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.

Pondera County is located in the Golden Triangle area of Montana, one hour north of Great Falls and within two hours of Glacier National Park. Conrad, the county seat, has a population of around 2,400, with total county population of around 6,000. Other towns and communities in Pondera County include Brady, Dupuyer, Heart Butte, Ledger, and Valier.

Land distribution in Pondera County is 69% cropland and 30% pastureland. Census data indicates the county ranks third in the state for market value of crop products sold and seventh in all agriculture products (2017). Crops provide $76 million, with $35 million coming from livestock, including significant cows and calves. Additionally, the county ranks third in hog production. Small grains, pulse crops, oilseeds, and hay are the predominant crops. Other major county industries include manufacturing, tourism, and health care. A portion of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is located in the western part of the county. There are five Hutterite Colonies in the county.

Pondera County 4-H has 89 members and 24 volunteer leaders enrolled in the program, which includes four organized 4-H clubs and one shooting sports project club. Complete (K-12) school systems exist in the communities of Conrad, Valier, and Heart Butte. Conrad is home to a community hospital and an assisted living facility. The county offers a variety of recreational opportunities which include skiing, golfing, hunting, fishing, and camping. The mountains and lakes in the surrounding area are popular recreational sites.

• Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Vitality.
• Collaborate with the Pondera County Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development agent to provide shared leadership for the Pondera County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and adult engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
• Collaborate with Extension faculty and county staff to plan and execute the four-county Marias Fair.
• Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups to continually assess needs to inform educational programming priorities in Pondera County and potential collaborations with other counties and reservations.
• Cooperate with other MSU Extension staff in implementing, maintaining, and evaluating a balanced interdisciplinary Extension program which will benefit the ongoing effectiveness of the Pondera County Extension program.
• 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 Pondera County.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience in agronomy, crop production, agriculture, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability 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 positive youth and volunteer development.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with individuals, groups, and community organizations representing a wide variety of youth and adult audiences.

Preferred

1. Master’s degree.
2. At least one degree in agronomy, crop production, agriculture, or related field.
3. Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and help them find constructive solutions to locally identified issues.
4. Extension experience or demonstrated understanding of the Extension education model.

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 Pondera 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. 

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.

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 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.”

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.

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.