Extension Agent, Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development, Sheridan County

Extension Agent, Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development, Sheridan CountyThis position is not eligible for sponsorship. Please note – for this position – Five (5) references have been requested.Position DetailsPosition InformationAnnouncement Number - FAC - VA - 27034For questions regarding this position, please contact: - Larry Brence View phone number on click.appcast.io View email address on click.appcast.io TitleWorking Title - Extension Agent, Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development, Sheridan CountyBrief Position Overview - 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 primary emphasis for this full-time position will be to provide leadership and educational programming in the disciplines of 4-H/Youth Development, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Horticulture. The Extension Office staff in Sheridan County also includes a full-time office administrative assistant.Faculty Tenure Track - YesFaculty Rank - Up To ProfessorPosition Number - 4B3781Department - Extension Agents/FieldDivision - ExtensionAppointment Type - FacultyContract Term - Fiscal YearSemesterIf other, specify From dateIf other, specify End dateUnion Affiliation - Exempt from Collective BargainingFTE - 1.0Benefits Eligible - EligibleSalary - 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 - MUSIf other, please specifyRecruitment Type - OpenPosition DetailsGeneral Statement - Sheridan County is located in the extreme northeastern corner of Montana, bordering North Dakota to the east and Canada to the north. The Extension office is located in Plentywood, which is also the county seat. Sheridan County is a rural agricultural community whose top industry centers on the family farm and ranch. The land is mostly prairie, of which three-fourths is tillable. The soil is of glacial origin, which provides a rich base for small grain production. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, there were 458 farms with an average size of 2,323 acres. A total of 1,041,794 out of the county's 1,073,056 acres were in farms. Wheat, cattle, and pulse crops are the major agricultural products, with Sheridan County leading the state in durum wheat production. Sheridan County is also the leading pulse crop-producing county in the United States. The 4-H program has an enrollment of 100 youth in three clubs throughout the county, along with 40 volunteer leaders. Oil production and development are also important components of the local economy. Sheridan County has excellent health care and retirement facilities and is the location of a center for developmentally disabled adults. According to the 2010 Census, the population of Sheridan County is 3,384 residents, of whom 1,734 live in Plentywood, which also serves as the primary trade center for the county. K-12 education is available in Plentywood, Medicine Lake, and Westby. Sporting opportunities abound in Sheridan County, with the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, world-class pheasant hunting, and numerous other recreational and sporting opportunities.Duties and Responsibilities - Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in 4-H/youth development, agriculture, natural resources, and horticulture. Collaborate with nearby Extension Agents to develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate 4-H Youth Development programs. Collaborate with local stakeholders and Extension staff to continually assess needs to inform educational programming priorities in Sheridan 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 Sheridan County.Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills - Bachelor's Degree in education, youth development, agriculture, natural resources, horticulture, or a related field. Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess community needs; and develop, organize, plan, teach, and evaluate effective programs. Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership for Extension programming for youth, adults, and volunteers. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and communicate effectively with individuals, groups, and community organizations representing a wide variety of youth and adult audiences.Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills - Master's degree At least one degree or relevant work experience in education, youth development, agriculture, natural resources, horticulture, 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. Demonstrated understanding of youth and adult learning principles and their application to community-based education and outreach Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteersThe 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 Sheridan 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. Obtain a Government Pesticide Applicator license and provide oversight of the local Private Pesticide Applicator program in Sheridan County. 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.FLSA DetailsFLSA DeterminationFLSA Status - ExemptApplicant DocumentsRequired DocumentsResumeCover Letter addressing each of the Required and Preferred QualificationsOptional Documents