Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 24144

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dan Lucas

(406) 274-8969

daniel.lucas@montana.edu

Classification Title Extension Agent

Working Title Extension Agent - Agriculture/Community Vitality - Missoula County

Brief Position Overview

This position resides at the MSU Missoula County Extension Office in Missoula, Montana.

The primary duty for County Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, then develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The main emphasis of the Missoula County Agriculture/Community Vitality Agent position will be in the areas of commercial agriculture and community vitality.

The MSU Extension Missoula County Office also has a Horticulture Agent, 4-H Youth Development Agent, Family and Consumer Science Agent, and a full-time administrative professional.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Up to Professor

Position Number 4B3879

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 $46,325. Minimum base salary with Master’s degree is $53,325.

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

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.

The primary focus of this position is to plan, implement and evaluate programs that will enhance commercial agriculture enterprises and community vitality in Missoula County, Montana. The person in this position will increase the local knowledge base and success of commercial agriculture through Extension education programming and enhance community and economic well-being of communities throughout Missoula County. Specific areas of emphasis may include

building community leadership capacity, business retention and recruitment, work toward enhancing economic vitality, and enhancing the economic and ecologic sustainability of agricultural enterprises.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess the needs of clientele to effectively plan, implement and evaluate Extension education programs for agriculture enterprises with a livestock emphasis and community vitality programs throughout Missoula County.

• Assist groups and individuals in identifying commercial agriculture opportunities to improve their economic position.

• Assist and educate landowners in making ecologically sound landscape management decisions.

• Identify plants, insects, and plant diseases and provide practical solutions.

• Assist with Private Applicator (Re)Certification Program. Must possess or be able to obtain a Government Pesticide Applicator’s License.

• Cooperate and collaborate with area Extension agents and other faculty to do effective, integrated educational programming.

• Collaborate with members of the research community on increasing the knowledge base and success of agricultural producers.

• Increase the knowledge base on the economics of growing and marketing agricultural products.

• Collaborate with other office faculty and staff in delivering MSU Extension programming to Missoula County.

• Collaborate with County Department Head on educational programs and county budget.

• Utilize all available media sources and technologies to communicate with MSU Extension personnel and others, and to disseminate information to clientele.

• Position requires frequent night and weekend work, extensive reading, frequent travel throughout the county, occasional travel throughout the state of Montana, and travel to and from programs with adult and youth attendees.

  Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Range Management, Public Administration, Community Development, or related fields.

• Demonstrated ability to lead groups; assess community needs; and develop, organize, plan, teach, and evaluate effective programs.

• 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 understanding of adult learning theory and its application to community-based education and outreach.

  Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Range Management, Public Administration, Community Development, or related fields and/or relevant work experience.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and help them find constructive solutions to locally identified issues.

  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 Missoula 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

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.

Work hours vary and are influenced by community needs. Work outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, is not unusual. Position includes continuous professional development, frequent travel throughout the county, and occasional travel throughout the state of Montana.

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.

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.

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:

Screening of applications will begin on June 17, 2024; 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. 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.