Position Summary
Position Description
This is a 12-month, tenurable position housed in the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development at Montana State University. The major responsibility of this position is to lead statewide 4-H youth development efforts to engage youth in College and Career Readiness with a primary emphasis on the development of a comprehensive, visionary, contemporary, expanded youth development college and career readiness program. This includes creating and enhancing partnerships, strengthening the volunteer base, and growing program enrollment. This role will also provide leadership to learning experiences at statewide 4-H and MSU Extension events.
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 web page at http://msuextension.org).
Develop and lead a statewide program focused on college and career readiness in partnership with the Office of Admissions.
Build an inclusive framework around college and career readiness that can be used to guide Montana 4-H youth programming.
Develop, deliver, and evaluate educational programming and curriculum around that framework to engage youth in opportunities in career readiness and college access, particularly in the school environment with special focus on new and underserved audiences.
Create and/or lead events, activities, lessons, and resources that allow students to purposefully explore career options and higher education opportunities.
Partner with other entities involved in this work (MSU Office of Admissions, MSU Extension Teams, etc.) to develop statewide reach and recruitment strategies.
Build organizational capacity by engaging in a collaborative-learning environment with young people, volunteers, and local leaders to apply research-based information through positive youth development programming.
Remain current with trends and research in the area of college and career readiness.
Work in a multidisciplinary team environment with extension professionals and other partners to translate and teach new and relevant research-based information.
Cooperate with local faculty and staff to cultivate a culture of collaboration with local leaders and community members that builds positive relationships between the University and the community while producing positive local impact
With a doctoral degree this position will be a twelve-month, tenure-track faculty position with Montana State University Extension, in the 4-H Center for Youth Development. With a master’s degree the position will be a twelve-month, non-tenure-track Associate Specialist position with the 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. Degrees in education, educational leadership, youth development, counseling, psychology, sociology, communications, community development or a closely related field preferred. Must have degree in hand by date of employment. Demonstrate experience in educational program development, delivery, and evaluation. Experience in youth development, educational design, non-formal education, or a closely related field. Experience in team building, problem solving, and innovation.
Preferred Qualifications
An earned doctoral degree from an accredited university in a field appropriate for the position. Experience in 4-H youth development programs and teaching methodologies, university admissions strategies, or career counseling. Exhibit the organizational skills necessary for planning, coordinating, and facilitating large complex programs with many different components and collaborators. Competent in scholarly activities including peer reviewed publications, grants, and curriculum. Knowledgeable in innovative teaching strategies and methods including the use of technology.
Other Requirements
Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively with constituencies at the university, county, state, and national levels. Have a familiarity with multi-cultural and a variety of socioeconomic audiences. Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of diversity. Have an understanding of the land grant university mission. Foster an appreciation for economically and ethnically diverse rural and urban populations.
Travel Requirements
Frequent travel
Driver’s license or alternate transportation required?
yes
Contact Name
Todd Kesner
Contact Email
tkesner@montana.eduContact Phone
406-994-6816
Application Instructions
Apply online at montana.edu/extension, click on "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.