Position Summary
Position Description
This position is located in Malta, MT.
Phillips County, located in northeastern Montana is the second largest county in the state. It is bordered to the North by Canada and to the South by the Missouri River and is dissected by the Milk River. The county is approximately 5,212 square miles with 363,200 acres in cropland of which 40,000 acres can be irrigated. Primary crops grown in the county are winter wheat, spring wheat, alfalfa & pulse crops such as peas & lentils. The main irrigated crops include corn, alfalfa, & grass for hay. Livestock operations are mostly cow/calf operations with some stocker, backgrounding, and finishing operations. There are also a limited number of sheep, goat, and swine operations. In addition, there are some honey bee operations and a single large poultry operation that produces 9000 eggs per day.
The Phillips County 4-H program has 149 youth members, 35 volunteers, & 7 active clubs. The population of Phillips County is approximately 4,192 including Malta, the county seat, which has a population of approximately 1,847. Other towns in the county include Dodson, Saco, Whitewater, Loring, & Zortman. K-12 Education is available in Malta, Dodson, Saco, & Whitewater. The area offers a variety of recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, boating & paddle fishing in the Missouri River in the spring. The Little Rocky Mountains, a small mountain range about 45 minutes south of Malta, offers camping and off-road vehicle opportunities.
We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communication 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 production; irrigated and dryland crop production; and horticulture that will result in positive community impacts.
Provide leadership to stakeholder groups in determining priority needs.
Conduct continual needs assessments in the county and region.
Provide leadership for the development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Phillips County 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
Provide programming and support as necessary in the areas of family and consumer science and community development.
Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups to conduct continuous needs assessments in Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development to inform programming priorities in Phillips County.
Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program in Phillips 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 Phillips County.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree and relevant work experience in agriculture, animal science, natural resource management, or related field. Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers. Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership to Extension programming relating to volunteers and youth. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple and varied tasks and to accept and delegate responsibilities. Demonstrated knowledge and skills in the use of information technologies for the dissemination of educational information, educational programming, and management
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups Demonstrated ability to help groups find constructive solutions to controversial or contentious issues Grant writing experience 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 Phillips County; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will also have 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. 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
Larry Brence
Contact Email
lbrence@montana.eduContact Phone
406-874-8236
Application Instructions
Apply online at www.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.