Extension Agent – 4-H, Agriculture – Fort Peck Reservation

Position Summary

Position Description

The Fort Peck Indian Reservation is the home of the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes. Located in northeastern Montana and bordered on the south by the Missouri River the reservation is approximately 3,200 square miles in size and is situated primarily in Roosevelt County with smaller portions in Valley, Daniels, and Sheridan Counties. Indian lands account for approximately 926,000 acres on the reservation with approximately 40% of that land held in common by the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and the balance being owned by individual tribal members. Today there are over 10,000 tribal members with approximately 6000 residing on or near the reservation. Population density is greatest along the southern border of the reservation near Highway 2. The Tribal Executive Board constitutes the duly elected governing body of the tribes. The two primary communities are Poplar (pop. 3500) and Wolf Point (pop. 4000) with Poplar being home to the Fort Peck Community College, tribal government, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Indian Health Services. Wolf Point is the largest trade center on the reservation.

The Wolf Point and Poplar School systems offer K – 12 educational opportunities. K through 12 education is also available in the communities of Frazer, Lustre, and Brockton. Post-secondary educational opportunities are also available through the Fort Peck Community College with campuses in Poplar and Wolf Point. Hunting and fishing opportunities abound on the Fort Peck Reservation. The Missouri River and nearby Fort Peck Dam provide fishing and water sports possibilities.

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 and farm/ranch, natural resource, and small acreage management; irrigated and dryland crop production; and horticulture that result in positive community impacts.
Provide leadership for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Fort Peck Reservation 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 on the Fort Peck Reservation.
Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program on the Fort Peck Reservation.
Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with peer Extension agents, Extension specialists, tribal leaders, and appropriate local individuals, groups, boards, agencies, and organizations to leverage educational programming on the Fort Peck Reservation.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree 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 or relevant work experience 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. Knowledge and/or experience with the Fort Peck tribe or other native communities.

Other Requirements

The Successful Candidate Will 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 Fort Peck; 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 reservation, occasional travel throughout the state.

Driver’s license or alternate transportation required?

yes

Contact Name

Larry Brence

Contact Email

lbrence@montana.edu

Contact Phone

406-874-8236

Application Instructions

Apply online at montana.edu/extension, click on "careers."

Equal Employer Statement(s)

Equal Opportunity Employer, Veterans/Disabled.

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