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

Position Details Position Information Announcement Number FAC - VA - 24020 For questions regarding this position, please contact: Larry Brence at 406-874-8236 or lbrence@montana.edu Classification Title Extension Agent Working Title Extension Agent - 4-H, Agriculture - Fort Peck Reservation Brief Position Overview MSU Extension seeks individuals who desire to make a difference in lives and communities. The primary duty for County (Tribal) Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, then to develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The emphases for this full-time position will be to provide leadership and educational programming in the discipline of Agriculture and 4-H/Youth Development with secondary emphasis in the areas of community/economic development and family and consumer science.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.Faculty Tenure Track No Faculty Rank Up to Professor Position Number 4B7951 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 MSU Extension is committed to equitable salaries. Beginning salaries are determined by an analysis of education and previous experience. Minimum base salary with Bachelor’s degree is $47,500. Minimum base salary with Master’s degree is $54,500. Contract Type LOA If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open Position Details General Statement 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.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 – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Bachelor’s degree.

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 – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Master’s degree.

At least one degree or relevant work experience in agriculture, youth development or other 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.

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 Reservation; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will establish relationships and work with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable.Position Special Requirements/Additional Information 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 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 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 Department The College MSU Extension improves the lives of Montana citizens by providing unbiased research-based education and information that integrates learning, discovery and engagement to strengthen the social, economic and environmental well-being of individuals, families, and communities.Posting Detail Information 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: Review of applications will be on a continual basis and will continue until the position is filled.Special Instructions Please note – for this position – Five (5) references have been requested.EEO Statement Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.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.