Extension Agent – Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development – Fergus County

Position Details
Position Information

Announcement Number
FAC – VA – 24034

For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Tracy Mosley at or

Classification Title
Extension Agent

Working Title
Extension Agent – Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development – Fergus County

Brief Position Overview
This position is located in Lewistown, Montana.
The primary responsibility of County and Tribal Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, then to develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The successful candidate for this position will emphasize programming in 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences. Specific areas of emphasis may include food safety and nutrition, physical and mental health and wellness, and enhancing opportunities for 4-H members, families, and volunteers. The Fergus County Extension office is staffed by an Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development agent, a Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development agent, a full-time 4-H assistant, and a full-time administrative assistant.

Faculty Tenure Track
Yes

Faculty Rank
Up to Assistant Professor

Position Number
4B3741

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 $45,825. Minimum base salary with Master's degree is $52,825.

Contract Type
LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type
Open

Position Details

General Statement
County Profile:
This position is located in Lewistown, Montana, which is the county seat for Fergus County. Located in Central Montana, Fergus County covers approximately 4,340 square miles. The county is bordered on the north by the Missouri River and on the south by the Big Snowy Mountains. The county is approximately 2.8 million acres with beef cow-calf, dryland small grain, and dryland hay being the primary agricultural production enterprises. Lewistown is the county seat with a population of 5,923. Excellent schools and the Central Montana Medical Center are important aspects of this central Montana Community. Other small towns in the county include Denton, Grass Range, Moore, Roy, and Winifred. County population, according to July 1, 2022, estimates is 11,663.
The county ranks third in Montana in total market value of agricultural products sold and generates about $64 million in cash receipts in both livestock and crops annually. Approximately 113,000 acres of winter wheat, 41,000 acres of spring wheat, 39,000 acres of barley, and 171,000 acres of alfalfa hay are harvested annually and there are about 120,000 head of beef cattle and calves. Agricultural production, agri-business, and small manufacturing form the basis of the economy along with the education, medical care, and government office sectors. In , the 4-H program included 214 youth members, 60 Cloverbuds, and 63 adult volunteers in 12 organized clubs. Fergus County is a mix of three mountain ranges, an inter-mountain basin, open prairie, and the Missouri River breaks. A multitude of fishing, hunting, and recreational opportunities exist within the county and in the nearby area. Excellent schools and the Central Montana Medical Center are important aspects of this central Montana community.
The Extension agent in this full-time position will focus on providing leadership and educational programming in 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences. The Fergus County Extension Office is staffed by one other Extension Agent (Agriculture and Natural Resources and 4-H/Youth Development), a full-time 4-H Program Assistant, and one full-time administrative assistant.
We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of students and the mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in 4-H Youth Development and Family and Consumer Sciences, as determined by local community engagement, that result in positive community impacts.
• Provide shared leadership for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Fergus County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
• Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups to conduct continuous needs assessments in Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Development to inform programming priorities in Fergus County.
• Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program in Fergus 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 Fergus County.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, Youth Development, Human Development, or related field.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 communicate 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 Family and Consumer Sciences, Youth Development, Human Development, 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 Fergus County; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will also possess a 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, and dedication to supporting and enhancing Montana State University's initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

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
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 January 2, 2024; 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.

Diversity Statement
Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.
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. .
MSU's Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website:

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