MSU Extension seeks individuals who work professionally and effectively with communities, who foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, who exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills, and who can contribute positively to the people and places of Montana under the guidelines and mission of Montana State University.

Pondera County is located in the Golden Triangle area of Montana, one hour north of Great Falls and within two hours of Glacier National Park. Conrad, the county seat, has a population of around 2,400, with total county population of around 6,000. Other towns and communities in Pondera County include Brady, Dupuyer, Heart Butte, Ledger, and Valier.
Land distribution in Pondera County is 69% cropland and 30% pastureland. Census data indicates the county ranks third in the state for market value of crop products sold and seventh in all agriculture products (2017). Crops provide $76 million, with $35 million coming from livestock, including significant cows and calves. Additionally, the county ranks third in hog production. Small grains, pulse crops, oilseeds, and hay are the predominant crops. Other major county industries include manufacturing, tourism, and health care. A portion of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is located in the western part of the county. There are five Hutterite Colonies in the county.
Pondera County 4-H has 89 members and 24 volunteer leaders enrolled in the program, which includes four organized 4-H clubs and one shooting sports project club. Complete (K-12) school systems exist in the communities of Conrad, Valier, and Heart Butte. Conrad is home to a community hospital and an assisted living facility. The county offers a variety of recreational opportunities which include skiing, golfing, hunting, fishing, and camping. The mountains and lakes in the surrounding area are popular recreational sites.

Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, and Community Vitality.
Collaborate with the Pondera County Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development agent to provide shared leadership for the Pondera County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and adult engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
Collaborate with Extension faculty and county staff to plan and execute the four-county Marias Fair.
Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups to continually assess needs to inform educational programming priorities in Pondera County and potential collaborations with other counties and reservations.
Cooperate with other MSU Extension staff in implementing, maintaining, and evaluating a balanced interdisciplinary Extension program which will benefit the ongoing effectiveness of the Pondera County Extension program.
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 Pondera County.
This position, if filled at the Master’s degree level, will be tenure-track. A successful candidate without a Master’s degree will be required to complete their Master’s degree, in a program area relevant to their Extension position, within six (6) years of their start date. Failure to do so may result in termination.