Position Details

　　Position Information

　　Announcement Number FAC - VA - 24020

　　For questions regarding this position, please contact:

　　Larry Brence at 406-874-8236 or [email protected]

　　Classification Title Extension Agent

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

　　Brief Position Overview

　　The primary focus 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 $45,825. Minimum base salary with Master’s degree is $52,825.

　　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.

　　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 – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

　　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 – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

　　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.

　　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 inFort 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.

　　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

　　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.

　　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. https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/dualcareer.html

　　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. https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/affirmative_action_plan.html.

　　MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/policy/discrimination/index.html.