Position Summary
Position Description
Montana State University Extension and the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development are seeking nominations and applications to fill the position of Extension 4-H Specialist, Agricultural and Natural Resources. The 4-H Center for Youth Development at MSU provides ongoing support to the 4-H program and serves as a statewide resource to other organizations and groups, providing expertise on agriculture and natural resources program development and design, youth development, families, and communities. The 4-H Center is a welcoming and supportive office comprised of personable, engaging, youth-minded, collaborative, and motivated faculty and staff who bring a sense of purpose and enjoyment to their work.
The 4-H Center partners with the Montana 4-H Foundation to fund operations and programs, including livestock and natural resources programs. Currently, Montana 4-H serves 20,000 youth annually through 4-H community clubs, school enrichment, out-of-school programs, and special interest activities (For additional information, please visit our Extension and 4-H webpages at http://msuextension.org and montana4h.org).
The 4-H Specialist for Agriculture and Natural Resources will provide leadership and direction for youth development programming in agriculture and natural resources, including livestock, horse, and other animal and agriculturally related projects. Responsibilities may also include providing leadership to shooting sports, conservation, wildlife, and other outdoor related 4-H projects, with possible assistance from a Montana 4-H Foundation funded Outdoor Education Coordinator.
We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.
Provide educational and technical information to field Extension faculty and staff with 4-H and youth development responsibilities in 4-H, agriculture, and natural resources.
Work cooperatively with both county faculty and state Extension specialists in developing, implementing, and evaluating multi-disciplinary activities.
Facilitate the organization and implementation of programmatic teams to develop, implement, evaluate, and sustain program models which support the responsibilities of the position.
Collaborate with county agents and specialists to provide training to adult volunteers and teen leaders across the state in agriculture and natural resources.
Organize agriculture-related contests at Montana 4-H Congress.
Provide leadership and organization to the statewide horse shows.
Provide expertise to vet science, plant science, weed science, range science, gardening, horticulture, small animals, and other agriculture 4-H projects.
Highlight and develop STEM programs in agriculture and record impacts.
Advise, coordinate, and work cooperatively with the State Horse Committee, State Livestock Committee, and Outdoor Education Coordinator.
Give leadership to quality assurance and animal welfare initiatives through Montana 4-H.
May provide leadership and guidance for the 4-H shooting sports program, providing guidance to the Shooting sports coordinator who works with the state advisory group, coordinates training for leaders and instructors, maintains an accurate leader training database, submits regular newsletter and website updates, has fiscal management of the program, and maintains equipment checks and inventory.
Maintain liaisons and close working relationships with state agencies related to agriculture and natural resources.
Utilize electronic mail, the Internet and other advancing technology to communicate with MSU Extension staff and others.
Comply with all Extension federal, state and university reporting requirements.
Have a leadership role in the development of curriculum related to Ag and Natural Resource 4-H projects including advanced activities for experienced youth.
With a doctoral degree, this position will be a fiscal year, tenure-track faculty position with Montana State University Extension in the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development. With a master’s degree, the position will be a fiscal year, non-tenure-track Associate Specialist position with potential of transition into a tenure-track faculty position upon completion of a doctoral degree.
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.
Required Qualifications
Earned master’s degree in agriculture, agricultural education, Extension education, other youth development, or closely related field. Must have degree in hand by date of employment. Demonstrated understanding of agriculture and natural resources 4-H youth development programs. Ability to provide leadership in planning, organizing, conducting, and evaluating educational programs related to agriculture and natural resources 4-H youth development programs. Ability to maintain and build volunteer involvement in all 4-H delivery modes. Experience in county 4-H youth development programming or other comparable experience with youth and leaders.
Preferred Qualifications
An earned doctoral degree from an accredited university in a field appropriate for the position. Demonstrated excellence in teaching, innovative teaching strategies and methods, and use of technology. Demonstrated success in grantsmanship and grant writing.
Other Requirements
The Successful Candidate Will Possess excellent interpersonal skills; the ability to contribute to a team environment; the ability to manage multiple and complex tasks with attention to detail; the ability and willingness to work a varying schedule that will include evenings and occasional weekends as assigned. The candidate must have the ability to travel on an occasional basis and possess the ability to represent MSU Extension and the Montana 4-H Youth Development Center and its programs to others in a professional, courteous, and competent manner. The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with constituencies at the university, county, state and national levels; a familiarity with multi-cultural and a variety of socioeconomic audiences; an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity; an understanding of the land grant university mission; and an appreciation for economically and ethnically diverse rural and urban populations. The successful candidate will also possess an understanding of the youth program development domain of the 4-H Professional Research and Knowledge Base and Related Competencies. For more information on 4-HPRKC, visit: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/comm/4h_prodev.htm.
Travel Requirements
Frequent travel throughout the state.
Driver’s license or alternate transportation required?
yes
Contact Name
Teri Antilley
Contact Email
teri.antilley@montana.eduContact Phone
406-994-3502
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.