Extension Agent – Family and Consumer Science – Yellowstone County

Position Summary

Remote Position

no

Position Description

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 120,000 (2023) 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.

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, Rocky Mountain College, and Rocky Vista University. 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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate an educational Family and Consumer Sciences program through a local, needs-driven process.
Involve local citizens and community organizations in identifying needs and priorities, targeting new audiences, and developing and implementing appropriate and responsive educational programming.
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 Yellowstone County.
Cooperate with other Extension agents in cross-county programming efforts.
Cooperate with MSU Extension staff to develop a team approach to the planning, development and implementation of overall MSU Extension programming in Yellowstone County, which will benefit the effectiveness of the Yellowstone County office.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree or relevant work experience in family and consumer 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

Master’s Degree. At least one degree or relevant work experience in family and consumer science 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

The Successful Candidate Will Possess excellent human relation skills. Possess a high level of professionalism. Ability to work effectively with other staff members. Demonstrate evidence of good judgment. Possess the flexibility and innovation to respond to changing needs of people in Yellowstone County. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Establish relationships and work with people of many 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. 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.

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.edu

Contact Phone

406-874-8236

Application Instructions

Apply online at montana.edu/extension/careers

Equal Employer Statement(s)

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled

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