Extension Agent - Agriculture and Natural Resources - Yellowstone County

Montana State University, United States

Updated: 3 days ago
Location: Bozeman, MONTANA
Deadline: ;

Position Details
Position Information


Announcement Number FAC - VA - 24132
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Larry Brence
406-874-8236
[email protected]
Classification Title Extension Agent
Working Title Extension Agent - Agriculture and Natural Resources - Yellowstone County
Brief Position Overview
The primary duty for County Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, and develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The primary focus for this full-time position will be to provide leadership and educational programming in the discipline of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Extension Office staff in Yellowstone County also includes a full-time agent for 4-H/Youth Development a full-time agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, a full time agent for Horticulture, a part-time 4-H associate, and 2 administrative assistants.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes
Faculty Rank Up to Professor
Position Number 4B3561
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 $45,825. Minimum base salary with Master’s degree is $52,825.
Contract Type MUS
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open

Position Details


General Statement
Located in south central Montana, Yellowstone County is Montana’s most populous county with an estimated population of over 165,000. Billings, the county seat, is the largest city within a 500 mile radius with an estimated population of 117,000 (2012) and is a major retail and wholesale trade, financial, energy, transportation and medical center. Billings also serves as a transportation hub for rail, truck, and air travel and is a major trade center for southern and eastern Montana and northern Wyoming. Agriculture in Yellowstone County is diverse from both a crops and livestock standpoint. Total cash receipts for agriculture total approximately $150 million. The surrounding 18 county trade area earns about $980 million annually for crop and livestock receipts. There are approximately 80,000 irrigated crop acres, 220,000 dryland crop acres, and about 1.3 million acres in pasture and rangeland. Irrigated crops consist of sugar beets, malting barley, corn, dry beans, small grains, alfalfa and corn for silage and grain. The primary dryland crop is winter wheat. Beef cow/calf operations and beef feedlots are the primary livestock enterprises.
Yellowstone County offers diverse educational opportunities, cuisine, arts, and culture to people throughout the region. Laurel, a town of 7,300, is located 12 miles from Billings and other communities in the County include Ballantine, Broadview, Custer, Huntley, Lockwood, Pompey’s Pillar, Shepherd and Worden. There are 58 public and private schools in the county (37 elementary, 13 middle, 10 high and 8 private) that provide excellent educational opportunities. Billings is also home to MSU-Billings, the MSU College of Technology, and Rocky Mountain College. Established in 1883 and located along the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone County is rich in history. The only remaining evidence of the Lewis & Clark expedition, Clark’s signature on Pompey’s Pillar, is located in the county. The area also offers a variety of recreational opportunities, including skiing, hiking, biking, and boating. Yellowstone Park is easily accessible as well. Billings is a transportation hub with a large airport. It also has available an efficient MET Bus Transit System. Special cultural opportunities include the Yellowstone Art Museum, the Western Heritage Center, the Billings Symphony, the Alberta Bair Theater, and Zoo Montana. The medical corridor provides the most advanced healthcare services in a four-state area and Healthcare in Billings is an important economic anchor.
MSU Extension seeks individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, and who foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills and contribute positively to the people of Yellowstone County under the guidelines and mission of Montana State University.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Plan, implement and evaluate educational programs in livestock production, agronomy, including irrigated and dryland crop production, pest management, and pesticide training.
  • Involve local citizens and community organizations, especially those related to agriculture, in identifying needs and priorities, targeting new audiences, and developing and implementing appropriate and responsive educational programming.
  • Collaborate with the 4-H Agent to plan, implement, and facilitate subject matter training for 4-H/youth audiences consistent with ag skills, abilities, and experiences.
  • Serve as an ex-officio member of various agency and community committees relating to agriculture, youth development, and community development.
  • Collaborate with other Extension agents in cross-county programming efforts.
  • Share responsibility with other Extension staff in implementing and maintaining a balanced, interdisciplinary Extension program.
  • Utilize all available media sources, including electronic mail, the internet, and other advancing technology, to communicate with MSU Extension staff and others, and to disseminate information to clientele.
  • Assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies.
  • Comply with all Extension, federal, state, university, and county reporting requirements
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience in agriculture or related fields.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess community needs; and develop, organize, plan, teach, and evaluate effective Extension programs for youth and adult audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers.
  • 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.
  • At least one degree or relevant work experience in horticulture, agriculture or 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
    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 Yellowstone County and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will also have a familiarity with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic audiences, an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity. Dedication to supporting and enhancing Montana State University’s initiative for diversity, equity and inclusiveness.
    Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
    This position, if filled at the Master’s degree level, will be tenure-track. A successful candidate without a Master’s degree will be required to complete their Master’s degree, in a program area relevant to their Extension position, within six (6) years of their start date. Failure to do so may result in termination.
    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

    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 April 22, 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.
    Diversity Statement
    Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples. https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/dualcareer.html
    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. https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/affirmative_action_plan.html.
    MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/policy/discrimination/index.html .

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