Flathead County Agriculture Extension Agent

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement; Bozeman (MT); On-site; USD 52,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement in Montana is seeking a faculty-level Extension Agent for Flathead County to lead horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources education. Duties include planning, implementing, and evaluating programs with community input and 4-H Youth Development collaboration.

The successful candidate will build partnerships with county stakeholders, adapt programs to local needs, and supervise efforts across MSU Extension in Flathead County,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, or related fields.
• Ability to lead groups, assess community needs, and evaluate programs.
• Ability to recruit, train, and develop volunteers.
• Ability to lead Extension programming for volunteers and youth.
• Understanding of adult learning principles and community education.

Responsibilities

• Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs in horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources.
• Collaborate with Flathead County faculty to develop 4-H Youth Development programs.
• Collaborate with other faculty across Flathead County MSU Extension offices.
• Provide leadership and collaboration with stakeholders to identify priority needs.
• Lead cross-disciplinary programming with 4-H Youth Development as appropriate.
• Assist in planning and evaluating MSU Extension programming county-wide.
• Work with volunteers and clientele to meet community needs.

Skills

Leadership of groups

Volunteer development

Adult learning principles

Program development

Community engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, or related fields

Master’s degree

Job description

• Master’s degree.

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26142. For questions regarding this position, please contact: Dan Lucas [phone] [e-mail].

Classification Title

Working Title Flathead County Agriculture Extension Agent Brief Position Overview

This position resides at the MSU Flathead County Extension Office in Kalispell, Montana

The primary duty for County Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, then develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The main emphasis of the Flathead County Agriculture Agent position will be in the areas of horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources.

As a member of the faculty team leading MSU Extension education for the people of Flathead County, efforts will address current and emerging locally identified opportunities for Flathead County. Foci of this position are to improve the long-term success of horticulture practitioners, agricultural enterprises, natural resource managers, and 4-H Youth Development. It is anticipated that the intensity of focus within identified disciplines will be adjusted to address local trends. Flathead County faculty actively pursue multi-disciplinary programming, and the successful candidate will work with 4-H Youth Development faculty as appropriate, to plan, implement and evaluate multi-disciplinary programs.

The MSU Extension Flathead County Office also has an agent for 4-H Youth Development, an agent for Family and Consumers Sciences and 4-H Youth Development, and a full-time administrative professional.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Up To Professor Position Number 4B4227 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. 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 LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

Focus of this position is to plan, implement and evaluate horticulture, agriculture, and natural resource educational programs serving all Flathead County clientele emphasizing traditional and emerging interests. Horticulture, forage production, invasive species, pasture management, livestock nutrition and water management can be focus disciplines. The audiences for identified emphases are commercial ranchers and farmers, small acreage stewards, and residential clients. The successful candidate will provide leadership by working successfully with volunteers and clientele to identify and meet community needs in Flathead County. Other responsibilities include collaboration with peers in 4-H Youth Development or other Extension disciplines to assist MSU Extension in generating positive community impacts.

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with various individuals, foster, and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written, 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, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate educational programs in horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, and 4-H Youth Development as determined by local community engagement.
• Collaborate with fellow MSU Extension Flathead County faculty to develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate 4-H Youth Development programs.
• Collaborate with other faculty in Flathead County and other nearby MSU Extension offices.
• Strengthen the impact and scope of the Extension Horticulture/Agriculture/Natural Resource program in Park County.
• Provide program leadership by collaborating with Extension field faculty and specialists to deliver needed programs in Flathead County and the surrounding area.
• Provide leadership to stakeholder groups in determining priority needs.
• Involve community leaders in exploring and responding to agriculture policy and natural resource issues that affect Flathead County.
• Conduct continual needs assessments in Flathead County.
• Cooperate with MSU Extension staff to develop a team approach to the planning, development and implementation of overall MSU Extension programming in Flathead County, which will benefit the effectiveness of the Flathead County office.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability lead groups; assess community needs; and develop, organize, plan teach, and evaluate effective programs.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership to Extension programming relating to volunteers and youth.
• Demonstrated understanding of adult learning principles and its application to community-based education and outreach.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Master’s degree.
• At least one degree 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.

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 Flathead 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.

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.)

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

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

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 Details

FLSA Determination

FLSA Status Exempt