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

Montana State University

Montana

Hybrid

USD 52,000 - 59,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

Montana State University (MSU) Extension seeks an Extension Agent for Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development in Carbon County. The role requires assessing local needs, designing, delivering, and evaluating research-based education in agriculture and youth development, and working with a county team to engage volunteers and the community.

The successful candidate will lead youth and adult programs, collaborate with Extension staff, and travel across the county with flexibility to meet community

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal science, agronomy, natural resource management, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess community needs; develop, organize, plan, teach, and evaluate programs.
Demonstrated ability to provide leadership for Extension programming for youth, adults, and volunteers.

Responsibilities

Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs in Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development.
Provide shared leadership for development and evaluation of the Carbon County 4-H program.
Provide timely, relevant agriculture programming with emphasis on livestock, crops, natural resources, and horticulture.
Build collaborative relationships with peers, local officials, and organizations to leverage programming.
Collaborate to identify educational priorities and inform programming in Carbon County.
Embrace a team approach to planning and delivering MSU Extension programs.

Skills

Leadership

Community needs assessment

Program development

Interpersonal communication

Volunteer training

Education

Bachelor's degree in agriculture or related field

Job description

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

This position is not eligible for sponsorship. Please note – for this position – Five (5) references have been requested.

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 27023

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

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

Brief Position Overview

This position is located in Joliet, Montana.

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 areas of emphasis of this Carbon County Extension Agent position are Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development. The Carbon County Extension office is staffed by one Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development agent, one Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development agent, and three-quarter time administrative assistant.

Faculty Tenure Track

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank

Faculty Rank Up To Professor

Position Number

Position Number 4B3736

Department

Department Extension Agents/Field

Division

Division Extension

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

Union Affiliation

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible

Salary MSU Extension is committed to equitable salaries. Starting salaries are determined based on education and prior experience. The minimum base salary with a bachelor’s degree is $51,660, and with a master’s degree is $58,660.

Contract Type

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

Montana State University ( 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. MSU Extension is committed to the land grant mission and engaging with communities to address locally identified and statewide needs. MSU Extension has a field faculty staff of 97 Extension Agents serving 56 counties and 7 reservations, and 45 subject matter experts located in Bozeman and other locations across the state. Program offerings include agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and community vitality programs. For additional information see the web site: Extension .

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 inAgriculture 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.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal science, agronomy, natural resource management, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess community needs; and develop, organize, plan, teach, and evaluate effective programs.
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

At least one degree or relevant work experience in agriculture, animal science, agronomy, natural resource management, or a 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.
Demonstrated understanding of youth and adult learning principles and their application to community-based education and outreach.
Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers.

The Successful Candidate Will

Possess excellent human relation skills.
Work with a high level of professionalism.
Possess the ability to work effectively with other staff members.
Demonstrate evidence of good judgment.
Have the flexibility and innovation to respond to changing needs of people in Carbon County.
Possess the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Establish relationships and work with various backgrounds and experiences.

Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

If the successful candidate holds a Master’s degree, the position will be filled as a tenure track position. If the successful candidate does not hold a Master’s degree, the position will be filled as a non‑tenure track position; however, upon completion of a Master’s degree, they will transition to a tenure track position.

Obtain a Government Pesticide Applicator license and provide oversight of the local Private Pesticide Applicator program in Carbon County.

Work hours vary and are influenced by community needs. Work outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, is not unusual. Position includes continuous professional development, frequent travel throughout the county, and occasional travel throughout the state of Montana.

Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.)

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 Department

The College

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

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 October 30, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship. 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.

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Required Documents