Job Information
Montana State University Extension Agent - 4-H, Family Consumer Science - Hill County in Bozeman, Montana
Position Details
Announcement Number FAC - VA - 21012
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Tracy Mosley at 406-223-4727 or tmosley@montana.edu
Classification Title
Working Title Extension Agent - 4-H, Family Consumer Science - Hill County
Brief Position Overview
The primary focus for the agent in this full-time position will be to provide leadership and educational programming in the discipline of Family and Consumer Sciences and to share program leadership for the 4-H/Youth Development program. The Extension Office staff in Hill County includes a full-time agent for Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Horticulture with shared responsibility for the 4-H program, a half-time SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator, and a full-time office administrative assistant.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes
Faculty Rank Up To Professor
Position Number 4B4120
Department Extension Agents/Field
Division Extension
Appointment Type Faculty
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
General Statement
COUNTY PROFILE: Hill County, located in north-central Montana, has a population of approximately 16,500 people. The central population area and county seat, Havre, has a population of approximately 9,800. Other communities in the county include Box Elder, Gildford, Hingham, Inverness, Kremlin, and Rudyard. Agriculture, primarily small grain production and livestock is the main economic base of the county. Havre is home to MSU-Northern, a unit of the Montana State University system which offers multiple associate and four-year degree programs. Havre is also home to a major facility for the BNSF Railroad and a complete medical care facility, Northern Montana Hospital. Manufacturing, most of which is related to the agricultural base, also forms a part of the economic base. The Montana State University Northern Agricultural Research Center encompasses historic Fort Assiniboine six miles south-west of Havre and is the largest University research center in the Montana Agricultural Experiment Station system conducting agronomy and livestock research. The county boasts a variety of recreational and cultural opportunities such as Beaver Creek Park, Fresno Reservoir, and activities conducted by the Chippewa-Cree tribal members on the Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation. Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, skiing, snowmobiling, golfing, and boating. The 4-H program consists of 100 youth members, 51 leaders, and eight 4-H clubs.
We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.
Duties and Responsibilities
Plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate an educational Family and Consumer Sciences program with emphases on cooking, nutrition, and food safety; health and wellness; financial literacy; mental health; and healthy lifestyles.
Plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate 4-H/youth development programs that include project related workshops, organization of county events, and volunteer leader recruitment and training, including subject matter training consistent with FCS skills, abilities, and experiences.
Provide supervision for the SNAP-Ed Nutrition Educator.
Involve local citizens and community organizations in identifying needs and priorities, targeting new audiences, and developing and implementing appropriate and responsive educational programming.
Build and maintain coalitions with community boards and organizations.
Cooperate with other Extension agents in cross-county programming efforts.
Share responsibility with other Extension staff in implementing and maintaining a balanced, interdisciplinary Extension program.
Utilize all available media sources, including electronic mail, the internet and other advancing technology, to communicate with MSU Extension staff and others, and to provide information to clientele.
Assist other human services agencies and organizations within the county in developing educational programs and community leadership skills.
Assure compliance with civil rights and affirmative action policies.
Comply with all Extension, federal, state, university and county reporting requirements.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor’s Degree in Family and Consumer Sciences or a closely related field.
Demonstrated ability to lead groups and to develop, organize, plan, teach and evaluate educational programs.
Demonstrated ability to work with little or no supervision.
Computer literacy as demonstrated by evidence of computer use in program development, delivery and/or management.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and effectively with individuals, groups and community organizations.
Demonstrated ability to work with a wide variety of adult and youth audiences.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Master’s Degree.
At least one degree (either Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) in Family and Consumer Sciences or closely related field.
Experience and/or training in the area of Family and Consumer Sciences.
Experience in volunteer management.
Extension experience.
The Successful Candidate Will
Possess excellent human relation skills.
Demonstrate a high level of professionalism.
Have the ability to work effectively with other staff members.
Show evidence of good judgment.
Demonstrate flexibility and innovativeness to respond to changing needs of people in Hill County.
Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Be motivated and a self-starter.
Be familiar with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic audiences
Have an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds.
Be committed to the principles of diversity and be dedicated to supporting and enhancing Montana State University’s initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
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.
Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid State of Montana Driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points), or have other reliable means of transportation. Must have access to a vehicle to use for work (mileage will be reimbursed), and have minimum vehicle liability insurance. Do NOT send a copy of the driver’s license.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
Position requires frequent night and weekend work, extensive reading, frequent travel throughout the county, and occasional travel throughout the state of Montana. Position also requires using a variety of teaching methods and operating a variety of demonstration and educational equipment.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
The Program
The Department
The scholarship of 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.”
The College
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on December 13, 2020; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
Please note for this position Five (5) references have been requested.
Diversity Statement
Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples (http://www.montana.edu/hr/dualcareer.html) .
Montana State University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.
Montana State University makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, PO Box 172520, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-2520; 406-994-3651; recruitment@montana.edu .
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile. MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: www2.montana.edu/policy/affirmative_action/ (http://www2.montana.edu\policy\affirmative_action\">) .