Position Summary
Position Description
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. 1,041,794 out of the total county acres of 1,073,056 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 US.
The 4-H program has an enrollment of 98 youth in 5 clubs throughout the county, and 17 volunteer leaders. Oil production and development is also an important component 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 2020 Census, the population of Sheridan County is 3564 residents of whom 1669 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
Provide leadership for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Sheridan County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
Develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in agriculture, community vitality, and family and consumer science as identified by community needs.
Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups to conduct continuous needs assessments in 4-H Youth Development and other areas, to inform programming priorities in Sheridan County.
Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program in Sheridan County.
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
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.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree. At least one degree or relevant work experience in youth development, education, agriculture, family and consumer science, community vitality 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.
Other Requirements
Possess excellent human relation skills. Work with a high level of professionalism. Have 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. Be familiar with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic audiences. Be committed to continually supporting, promoting, and building a whole community, which includes people of many backgrounds. Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable.
Travel Requirements
Frequent travel throughout the county; occasional travel throughout the state.
Driver’s license or alternate transportation required?
yes
Contact Name
Larry Brence
Contact Email
lbrence@montana.eduContact Phone
406-874-8236
Application Instructions
Apply online at montana.edu/extension/careers
Equal Employer Statement(s)
Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled.
About Montana State University Extension
Brief Position Overview
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.