Extension Agent - Blaine County

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26028

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Tracy Mosley

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Classification Title Extension Agent

Working Title Extension Agent - Blaine County

Brief Position Overview

This position is located in Chinook, Montana.

MSU Extension seeks individuals who desire to make a difference in lives and communities. 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 main emphasis of the Blaine County Extension Agent will be 4-H Youth Development, as well as Family and Consumer Sciences ( FCS ) and Community Vitality, as determined by identification of local need in these areas. The successful candidate will plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs for youth and adult audiences as determined by current and emerging needs in Blaine County, and contribute to a robust Blaine County Extension program.

The Blaine County Extension office is staffed by two Extension agents, an Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development Extension agent and another 4-H Youth Development/ FCS /CV Extension agent, and one full-time administrative assistant.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Up to Professor

Position Number 4B5072

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. Beginning salaries are determined by an analysis of education and previous experience. Minimum base salary with Bachelor’s degree is $49,580. Minimum base salary with Master’s degree is $56,580.

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

Blaine County is located in north central Montana, and the county borders Canada. Blaine County has an area of 4,500 square miles with an average of 1.7 persons per square mile. The county population is near 7,000, with the largest population centers in Chinook, Harlem, and Turner. Based on an agricultural economy, Blaine County also relies on oil, gas, tourism and education as primary sources of employment. Hunting, fishing, rodeo, softball and bowling are popular forms of recreation. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is located along the southern border of the county. Bear Paw Battlefield National Park is located 15 miles south of Chinook and the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation lies in the eastern third of the county. Complete school systems are located in the communities of Chinook, Harlem, and Turner. Montana State University-Northern and the Northern Montana Medical Center are located in Havre, 21 miles west of Chinook. The Blaine County 4-H program has 100 youth members, 15 adult leaders, and six organized clubs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in Family and Consumer Sciences and Community Vitality, as determined by community needs assessment.

• Work collaboratively with the Blaine County Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development agent to provide shared leadership for the development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Blaine County 4-H Youth Development program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.

• Cooperate with other MSU Extension staff in implementing, maintaining, and evaluating a balanced interdisciplinary Extension program which will benefit the ongoing effectiveness of the Blaine County Extension program.

• Collaborate with local stakeholders and Extension staff to continually assess needs to inform educational programming priorities in Blaine County and potential collaboration with other counties and reservations.

• 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 Blaine County.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree.

• 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.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with individuals, groups, and community organizations representing a wide variety of youth and adult audiences.

• Demonstrated understanding of adult learning theory and its application to community-based education and outreach.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Master’s degree.

• At least one degree or relevant work experience in youth development, education, family and consumer sciences, or community vitality, 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 Blaine County.

• Possess the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Establish relationships and work with diverse 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.

Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid State of Montana Driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points), or have other reliable means of transportation. Must have access to a vehicle to use for work (mileage will be reimbursed), and have minimum vehicle liability insurance. Do NOT send a copy of the driver’s license.

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 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.”

The Department

The College

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.

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:

Applications will 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.