Position Summary
Position Description
Stillwater County, located in south-central Montana encompasses 1,793 square miles and is occupied by the Beartooth Absaroka Wilderness Area, Stillwater and Yellowstone River valleys, multiple lake basins, and rolling plains. The county population in 2022 was just over 9,000, with around 2,000 located in the county seat of Columbus. Other communities in Stillwater County include Absarokee, Columbus, Fishtail, Nye, Park City, Rapelje, and Reed Point.
Stillwater County’s economy is based in mining, quarrying, and oil extraction; agriculture; health care and social assistance; and tourism. Land distribution includes 72% pastureland and 23% cropland, including 74,000 acres of hay and 26,000 acres of small grains.
Stillwater County 4-H has 205 active members and 32 volunteer leaders enrolled in the program. The program encompasses 9 organized 4-H clubs, county-wide dog, shooting sports, and teen leader program. Complete (K-12) school systems exist in the communities of Absarokee, Columbus, Park City, Rapelje, and Reed Point. Fishtail and Nye have pre-K-6 schools. The county, which is a short distance from Billings, MT, offers a variety of recreational opportunities.
We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of students and the mission of Montana State University.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in Agriculture, with emphases on livestock and farm/ranch, natural resource, and small acreage management; irrigated and dryland forage and crop production; and horticulture that result in positive community impacts.
Provide shared leadership for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Stillwater County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
Collaborate with local and regional Extension staff and stakeholders to conduct continuous needs assessments in Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development to inform educational programming priorities in Stillwater County.
Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program in Stillwater 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 Stillwater County.
Obtain licenses/certifications and provide oversight of the local Private Pesticide Applicator and Montana Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage programs in Stillwater County.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or relevant work experience in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, or related field. 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 in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, 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; 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 Stillwater County; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will also possess 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, and dedication to supporting and enhancing Montana State University’s initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
Travel Requirements
Frequent travel throughout the county; occasional travel throughout the state.
Driver’s license or alternate transportation required?
yes
Contact Name
Tracy Mosley
Contact Email
tmosley@montana.eduContact Phone
406-223-4727
Application Instructions
Apply online at www.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.