Extension Agent: Agriculture, NR & 4-H Youth

Montana State University; Lewistown (MT); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University Extension seeks an Extension Agent in Fergus and Petroleum Counties to lead Agriculture, Natural Resources, and 4-H Youth Development programs. The role emphasizes community needs assessment, program development, and collaborative work with local stakeholders in Lewistown, MT.

The position includes responsibilities for youth engagement, volunteer development, and interdisciplinary cooperation with Extension colleagues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Conduct needs assessments and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate educational programs in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and 4-H.
• Provide leadership for Fergus and Petroleum Counties 4-H program to foster youth development and volunteer engagement.
• Deliver timely agriculture programming focused on livestock, natural resources, and horticulture with community impact.
• Build collaborative relationships with peer Extension staff, county officials, and local organizations to extend programming.
• Collaborate to hire, supervise, and coach county Extension office staff.

Skills

Lead groups

Assess community needs

Program development

Teaching

Evaluation

Youth development

Volunteer engagement

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, or related field

Tools

Pesticide license

Job description

Extension Agent – Agriculture, Natural Resources, and 4-H Youth Development – Fergus and Petroleum Counties

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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 - 27022

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Working Title Extension Agent – Agriculture, Natural Resources, and 4-H Youth Development – Fergus and Petroleum Counties

Brief Position Overview

This position is located in Lewistown, 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 primary areas of emphasis of this Fergus-Petroleum Counties Extension Agent position are Agriculture, Natural Resources and 4-H Youth Development, with secondary emphasis on Community Vitality. The Fergus-Petroleum Counties Extension office is staffed by one Agriculture, Natural Resources, and 4-H Youth Development agent; one Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development agent, one 4-H Program Assistant, and one full-time administrative assistant.

Faculty Tenure Track

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank

Faculty Rank Up To Professor

Position Number

Position Number 4B3914

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 .

Fergus and Petroleum Counties, located in Central Montana, encompass just over 6,200 square miles and are populated by approximately 11,800 and 550 residents, respectively. The county seats of Lewistown and Winnett have approximately 6,200 and 200 residents, respectively. Other towns include Denton, Grass Range, Moore, Roy, and Winifred. Excellent schools and the Central Montana Medical Center are important aspects of this area, as are the multitude of recreational activities available across the varied landscape and streams. Agriculture is a primary economic driver in both counties, dominated by livestock, hay, and small grain production, with most of the land in pastures and cropland. The Fergus-Petroleum Counties 4-H program has 236 members and 76 volunteer leaders enrolled in the program and encompasses 13 organized 4-H 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, Natural Resources, and Horticulture; 4-H Youth Development; and Community Vitality.
• Provide shared leadership with the peer Fergus and Petroleum Counties agent for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Fergus and Petroleum Counties 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer engagement.
• Provide timely, relevant agriculture programming focused on livestock production; natural resource, farm and ranch, small acreage, and weed management; and horticulture that results 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 Fergus and Petroleum Counties.
• Work collaboratively with Fergus County Human Resources and the Commissioners to hire, supervise, support, and coach county employees in the Extension Office.
• Collaborate with local and regional Extension staff, community leaders, and stakeholders to conduct needs assessment to identify and inform educational programming priorities in Fergus and Petroleum Counties.
• Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing an effective, interdisciplinary MSU Extension program in Fergus and Petroleum Counties.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal science, 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, 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 Fergus and Petroleum Counties.
• 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 Fergus and Petroleum Counties.

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.

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.

FLSA Status

FLSA Status Exempt

Required Documents

Resume

Cover Letter addressing each of the Required and Preferred Qualifications

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).