Extension Agent – Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development – Carbon County

Montana State University Extension; Joliet (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University Extension in Carbon County seeks an enthusiastic educator to deliver research-based education in Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development. You will conduct community needs assessments, plan and deliver programs, and evaluate outcomes to improve local well-being.

You will collaborate with Extension peers, county officials, and community partners to expand access and impact, focusing on livestock, crop production, natural resources, and youth leadership.

Qualifications

• Ability to conduct community needs assessments and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate educational programs.
• Strong collaboration with Extension staff and community partners.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct community needs assessments and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate educational programs in Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development.
• Provide shared leadership with the peer Extension agent for development, planning facilitation, and evaluation of the Carbon County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer engagement.
• Provide timely, relevant agriculture programming with emphases on livestock and farm/ranch, natural resource, and small acreage management; irrigated and dryland crop production; and horticulture.
• 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 Carbon County.
• Collaborate with local and regional Extension staff, community leaders, and stakeholders to conduct needs assessment to identify and inform educational programming priorities in Carbon County.
• Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing an effective, interdisciplinary MSU Extension program in Carbon County.

Job description

Carbon County, located in south-central Montana and created in 1895 from portions of Park and Yellowstone Counties, encompasses 2,066 square miles and is surrounded by the Beartooth Mountains, Pryor Mountains, and Big Horn River. The county population is nearly 11,500, with 2,500 located in the county seat of Red Lodge. Other communities in Carbon County include Bearcreek, Belfry, Boyd, Bridger, Fromberg, Edgar, Joliet, Luther, Roberts, Roscoe, and Silesia. Complete (K-12) school systems exist in the communities of Belfry, Bridger, Fromberg, Joliet, Red Lodge, and Roberts with a K-8 school in Luther. Carbon County is a short distance from Billings, and its economy is based in agriculture, recreation, and tourism. Land distribution includes 17% cropland and 78% pastureland with nearly 99,000 acres irrigated and agriculture consists of predominantly livestock, forages, and small grains. Carbon County 4-H has 187 members and 51 volunteer leaders enrolled in the program and encompasses 8 organized 4-H clubs, as well as archery, shooting sports, and dog project clubs.

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with various individuals, foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the Land Grant mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development.
Provide shared leadership with the peer Carbon County agent for development, planning facilitation, and evaluation of the Carbon County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer engagement.
Provide timely, relevant agriculture programming with emphases on livestock and farm/ranch, natural resource, and small acreage management; irrigated and dryland crop production; and horticulture that result in positive community impacts.
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 Carbon County.
Collaborate with local and regional Extension staff, community leaders, and stakeholders to conduct needs assessment to identify and inform educational programming priorities in Carbon County.
Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing an effective, interdisciplinary MSU Extension program in Carbon County.