Extension Agent

Position Details Position Information Announcement Number FAC - VA - 25020 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Dan Lucas at or Classification Title Extension Agent Working Title Extension Agent - Agriculture/Horticulture - Lewis & Clark County Brief Position Overview This position resides at the MSU Lewis and Clark County Extension Office in Helena, 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 Lewis and Clark County Agriculture/Horticulture Agent position will be in the areas of agriculture and horticulture. As a member of the faculty team leading MSU Extension education for the people of Lewis and Clark County, efforts will address current and emerging locally identified opportunities for Lewis and Clark County. The focus of this position is to enhance the long-term success of agricultural enterprises and horticulture practitioners. It is anticipated that the intensity of focus within agriculture and horticulture disciplines will be adjusted to address local trends. Lewis and Clark County faculty actively pursue multi-disciplinary programming, and the successful candidate will work with 4-H Youth Development, and Family and Consumer Science and Community Vitality faculty as appropriate, to plan, implement and evaluate multi-disciplinary programs. The MSU Extension Lewis and Clark County Office also has agents for 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Science and Community Vitality, and a full-time administrative professional. Faculty Tenure Track Yes Faculty Rank Up to Professor Position Number 4B3904 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 $47,500. Minimum base salary with Master's degree is $54,500. Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open Position Details General Statement Located in western Montana, Lewis and Clark County is home to the capital city of Montana, Helena, and has a population of about 74,000 people. Most of the populace lives in or near Helena, with the smaller communities of Augusta and Lincoln in the northern and western parts of the county, respectively. Carroll College and Helena College offer local opportunities for advanced education. The leading source of employment is the State of Montana. In addition, Fort Harrison serves the military community with local Guard and Reserve units, and a veteran's Hospital. Surrounded by national forest, Hauser Dam, Canyon Ferry, and Lake Helena, Lewis and Clark County offers a multitude of opportunities for outdoor activities such as skiing, boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking, camping and much more. Helena's location lends itself to easy travel access to Butte, Great Falls, Bozeman, and Missoula and is only 150 miles from Glacier National Park. Lewis and Clark County offers the opportunity to participate in both urban and rural programming with a unique blend of traditional agricultural land and outdoor recreational havens. 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. The focus of this position is to plan, implement and evaluate agriculture and horticulture educational programs serving all Lewis and Clark County clientele serving traditional and emerging interests. The successful candidate will provide leadership by working successfully with volunteers and clientele to identify and meet community needs in Lewis and Clark County. Other responsibilities include collaboration with peers in agriculture, horticulture, or other Extension disciplines to assist MSU Extension in generating positive community impacts. Duties and Responsibilities + Develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate educational programs for agriculture and horticulture as determined by local community engagement. + Collaborate with other faculty in Lewis and Clark County and other nearby MSU Extension offices. + Strengthen the impact and scope of agriculture and horticulture programs in Lewis and Clark County. + Provide program leadership by collaborating with Extension field faculty and specialists to deliver needed programs in Lewis and Clark County and the surrounding area. + Work as appropriate with Lewis and Clark County 4-H Youth Development faculty to assist in implementing the 4-H Youth Development program. + Provide leadership to stakeholder groups in determining priority needs. + Conduct continual needs assessments in Lewis and Clark County. + Cooperate with MSU Extension staff to develop a team approach to the planning, development, and implementation of overall MSU Extension programming in Lewis and Clark County. Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills + Bachelor's degree in agriculture, horticulture, soil science 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, adults, and youth. + Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and 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 in agriculture, horticulture, soil science or related fields and/or relevant work experience. + 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 The successful candidate will possess excellent human relation skills; a high level of professionalism; the ability to work effectively with other staff members; evidence of good judgment; flexibility and innovation to respond to changing needs of people in Lewis and Clark County; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will establish relationships and work with diverse backgrounds and experiences. 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. 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. 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.) Do NOT send a copy of the driver's license. 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: Screening of applications will begin on September 27, 2024; 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. EEO Statement Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion . click apply for full job details