Extension Agent – 4-H Youth Development – Cascade County

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 27038

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Tracy Mosley

[email protected]

406-223-4727

Classification Title

Working Title Extension Agent – 4-H Youth Development – Cascade County

Brief Position Overview

This position is located in Great Falls, Montana.

The primary duty for County Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, then to develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The areas of focus of this Cascade County Extension agent position are Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Horticulture and 4-H Youth Development. The Cascade County Extension office is also staffed by a Family and Consumer Sciences Extension agent and a 4-H Youth Development Extension agent.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Up To Professor

Position Number 4B3925

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. Starting salaries are determined based on education and prior experience. The minimum base salary with a bachelor’s degree is $51,660, and with a master’s degree is $58,660.

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

Montana State University ( 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. MSU Extension is committed to the land grant mission and engaging with communities to address locally identified and statewide needs. MSU Extension has a field faculty staff of 97 Extension Agents serving 56 counties and 7 reservations, and 45 subject matter experts located in Bozeman and other locations across the state. Program offerings include agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences, and community vitality programs. For additional information see the web site: Extension (https://www.montana.edu/extension/) .

This position is located Great Falls, Cascade County’s county seat, in central Montana. The county’s population is approximately 85,000, with approximately 60,200 living in Great Falls, known as the “Electric City” due to its historical significance regarding the hydro-electric generation plants and smelter activity. Other communities in Cascade County include Belt, Cascade, Centerville, Fort Shaw, Monarch, Neihart, Simms, Sun River, and Vaughn, many of which have complete K-12 school systems. Cascade County has a robust 4-H program that includes 300 youth members, 66 adult volunteers, and 16 active clubs and its economic base includes agriculture, primarily livestock and crop production, the military, education, small manufacturing, food processing, and many service industries. Great Falls is home to the Great Falls College MSU , University of Providence, Benefis Health System and Great Falls Clinic, Malmstrom Air Force Base, and many cultural attractions including the Charles M. Russell Museum/Gallery, the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and others. Outdoor recreational opportunities include fishing, hunting, boating, golfing, hiking, and historical exploration.

MSU Extension seeks individuals who work professionally and effectively with individuals and communities, foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills, and have the ability to contribute positively to the people and places of Montana under the guidelines and mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct needs assessments and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate relevant, research-based educational programs in 4-H Youth Development across various audiences.

• Provide shared leadership of the Cascade County 4-H program in partnership with the Agriculture, Natural Resources, Horticulture, and 4-H Youth Development agent, who provides leadership for the 4-H horse and livestock projects, collaborating on program development, overall operations, administrative oversight, volunteer recruitment and engagement, and the success of the program.

• Coordinate with and provide leadership to 4-H groups including Leader’s Council, Foundation, Shooting Sports Committee, and Organizational Leaders to inform educational programming, strengthen volunteer engagement, and promote positive youth development.

• Provide shared leadership with peer Cascade County agents for effective office administration, development of a collaborative Extension program, and serving as liaisons to the Cascade County Commission.

• Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with peer Extension agents, Extension specialists, county commissioners, community leaders, and local individuals, groups, boards, agencies, and organizations to leverage and advance the overall MSU Extension program in Cascade County.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, public administration, or a related field.

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

• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership for Extension programming for youth, adults, and volunteers.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and communicate 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 youth development, education, public administration, or a 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.

• Demonstrated understanding of youth and adult learning principles and their application to community-based education and outreach.

• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess excellent human relation skills.

• Work with a high level of professionalism.

• Possess the ability to work effectively with other staff members.

• Demonstrate evidence of good judgment.

• Have the flexibility and innovation to respond to changing needs of people in Cascade County.

• Possess the ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Establish relationships and work with various backgrounds and experiences.

Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

If the successful candidate holds a Master’s degree, the position will be filled as a tenure track position. If the successful candidate does not hold a Master’s degree, the position will be filled as a non-tenure track position; however, upon completion of a Master’s degree, they will transition to a tenure track position.

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.

Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.)

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 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 December 13, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

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.