Position Summary
Position Description
General Statement
Big Horn County is located in southcentral Montana and borders Wyoming to the south. The Big Horn County Extension Office is located in Hardin which is also the county seat. The county has a population of 12,865, with 3,505 living in the county seat of Hardin. The county is comprised of 3.2 million acres of which 2.2 million acres are located on the Crow Indian Reservation. The landscapes of Big Horn County are diverse, featuring the Big Horn and Pryor Mountains as well as semi-arid plains and irrigated river valleys. A small portion of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation is located in the eastern portion of the county. Two attractions in the county are the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument/Custer National Cemetery and the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Recreational opportunities include world class hunting and fishing and water sports. Crow Agency is the home of Little Big Horn College. Diversity of population and geography are keys to Big Horn County’s uniqueness. Hardin is home to a modern hospital and is only 45 miles away from a major medical community in Billings. The Big Horn County 4-H program consists of approximately 95 youth members and 25 adult leaders in four organized clubs.
Duties and Responsibilities
Develop, plan, implement, and evaluate successful, research-based educational Family and Consumer Science programs, through a local, needs-driven process.
In partnership with the Ag Agent, provide leadership for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Big Horn County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups to continually assess needs to inform educational programming priorities in Big Horn 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 Big Horn 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 Big Horn County.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in family and consumer science, education, youth development or related field. Demonstrated ability 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 positive youth and volunteer development. 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, education, youth development 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. Work with a high level of professionalism. Have the ability to work effectively with other staff members. Demonstrate evidence of good judgment. Have the flexibility and innovation to respond to changing needs of people in Big Horn County. Possess the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Be familiar with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic audiences. Establish relationships and work with people of diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable.
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.eduContact Phone
406-874-8236
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.