MSU Extension Western Region Department Head

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26137

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Carrie Ashe

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Classification Title

Working Title MSU Extension Western Region Department Head

Brief Position Overview

The MSU Extension Western Region Department Head position provides supervision, onboarding, leadership and support to agents in the MSU Extension Western Region. The person in this position will be a member of the Extension Leadership team.

This position provides supervision, leadership, and support to agents in the MSU Extension Western Region. As a member of the Extension leadership team, the Western Region Department Head will also provide leadership and support on the development and implementation of MSU Extension policies and procedures relating to personnel management, educational programming, and budgetary management. Regional department heads also provide statewide leadership on topics assigned. This position requires extensive travel throughout the region and frequent travel throughout the state. A vehicle is provided. The Western Region Department Head reports to the Executive Director of Extension. Office location is negotiable.

MSU Extension’s Western Region currently consists of 36 field faculty located in 18 offices that serve Lincoln, Flathead, Sanders, Lake, Mineral, Missoula, Powell, Lewis & Clark, Ravalli, Granite, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, Beaverhead, Madison, Jefferson, Broadwater, Gallatin and Park Counties, and the Flathead Reservation.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank MUS

Position Number 4B3670

Department Administration - MSU Extension

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 Salary starting at $90,000 with offer commensurate on education, experience, and qualifications.

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

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 (

Montana State University 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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific position responsibilities:

• Administer regional personnel activities, including leading the hiring process for new Extension agents; supporting, guiding and onboarding new Extension agents; offering ongoing regional training, conducting annual performance evaluations; motivating and advising agents; educating agents and their office staff about and assuring their compliance with all MSU , state, and federal requirements; determining, developing, and implementing professional development plans and opportunities for agents; mediating conflicts; and monitoring and guiding the promotion and tenure process for agents.

• Provide strong leadership to field faculty to effectively develop and implement county, multi-county, regional and multi-state educational programming and reporting efforts.

• Assist and supervise agents with program planning, local advisory processes, identification of programming needs, development of plans of work and reporting programmatic impacts.

• Develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with county commissioners, tribal leaders, and other local, regional, and state decision-makers and entities.

• Represent the Western Region as a member of the Extension leadership team, represent Extension leadership at statewide events, and contribute to processes and initiatives that advance Extension.

• Promote teamwork and regional “networking” with agents, specialists, on campus department heads, and Extension and University administration.

• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Completed master’s degree. Preferred areas; family and consumer sciences, agriculture, community development, youth development, education, natural resources, or a closely related field of study.

• Training or experience in administrative leadership, personnel, and fiscal management.

• Demonstrated skill in working with others as individuals, groups, staff members and decision-makers with emphasis on teamwork to accomplish individual or group goals.

• Demonstrated experience in the areas of planning, facilitation, organization, and conflict management.

• Demonstrated knowledge of organization, philosophy, operation, and objectives of Extension and the mission of the land grant system.

• Demonstrated ability and experience in administering and managing educational programs, including conducting needs assessments, planning and evaluating programs, and reporting impacts.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Extension experience, particularly field faculty experience.

• Record of achievement as an Extension faculty member.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess excellent human relations skills.

• Work with a high level of professionalism.

• Possess the ability to work effectively with other team members and the public.

• Strong decision-making skills and initiative.

• Able to take directions from multiple people.

• Possess an understanding of the land grant university mission and an appreciation for rural and urban populations.

• Possess strong written and oral communication skills.

• Able to establish relationships and work with individuals who have diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

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 with 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:

Screening of applications will begin on May 6, 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.

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.