Flathead County Agriculture Extension Agent

Montana State University

Kalispell (MT)

On-site

USD 51,660 - 58,660

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Equitable salary determined by experience

Job summary

Montana State University is hiring a Flathead County Agriculture Extension Agent in Kalispell. This role focuses on assessing community needs and developing educational programs in horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources.

The successful candidate will coordinate with local faculty and volunteers to enhance agricultural practices and community engagement, ensuring effective outreach and support.

Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s degree and have solid leadership and program development experience.

Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to assess community needs and develop effective programs.
Demonstrated understanding of adult learning principles.
Proven experience in providing leadership to Extension programming.

Responsibilities

Develop and evaluate educational programs in horticulture and agriculture.
Collaborate with MSU Extension faculty to implement programs.
Conduct continual needs assessments in Flathead County.

Skills

Leadership

Community needs assessment

Program development

Recruitment and training of volunteers

Education

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

Job description

Flathead County Agriculture Extension Agent

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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

Position Information

Announcement Number

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26142

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

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 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

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 to 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

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.)

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 June 25, 2026; 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.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

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

Exempt

Required Documents