Extension Agent - 4-H/Youth Development - Richland County

Richland County is located in eastern Montana with North Dakota as its eastern border and the Missouri River as its northern border. The confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers is just across the border in North Dakota. As of the 2010 Census, the population of Richland County is 10,803 with the largest population center being Sidney with a population of 6,173. Due to major expansion of oil and gas activity in the area, the population of Richland County grew rapidly but has slowed in recent times due to falling energy prices. The Richland County 4-H Program currently has 226 youth members and 83 registered volunteer leaders. Primary economic engines in the county are oil and gas production and agriculture. The Montana State University Eastern Ag Research Station and USDA Ag Research Service Northern Plains Ag Research Laboratory are also located near Sidney.

MSU Extension seeks individuals who work professionally and effectively with communities, who foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, who exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills, and who can contribute positively to the people and places of Montana under the guidelines and mission of Montana State University.

• Bachelor’s Degree and relevant work experience in youth development, education, public administration or related fields.

• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers.

• Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess needs; and plan, implement, facilitate, teach, and evaluate educational programs for youth and adult audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership for Extension programming for youth, adults, and volunteers.

• Master’s degree

• At least one degree or relevant work experience in youth development, education, public administration or related fields.

• 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.

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.

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 scholarship of Extension work at MSU is defined as, “The creation of partnerships, programs, and plans through Extension, or other community-based research, that leverage the knowledge and resources of the university and the public/private sector to enhance learning, discovery, and engagement; educate and engage citizens; strengthen communities; address locally identified issues and problems; apply and disseminate knowledge; and contribute to the public good.”

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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.

Exempt