Extension Agent - Meagher County

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

Meagher County, located in south central Montana, is the center of year-round recreational activity and friendly people. The county’s estimated population in the 2024 census was 2,065, which is a 7.1% increase from the 2020 census. Meagher County, named after Montana territorial Governor Thomas F. Meagher, is 2,392 square miles in size. Beef cattle production and hay production are the primary agricultural enterprises in the county. Cash receipts from livestock production were about $31.5 million in 2015; about 40,000 acres of hay are harvested annually. White Sulphur Springs, with a population of just over 1,000 people and located halfway between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, is the county seat with the communities of Martinsdale, Checkerboard, Lennep, and Ringling also present in the county. Meagher County has one K-12 school. White Sulphur Springs has a critical access hospital that offers emergency services, hospitalization, long-term care, and a primary care clinic. The county 4-H program includes 51 youth members, 11 adult volunteer leaders, and 2 organized clubs. Recreational opportunities include hunting, fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, golfing, camping, hiking, and mountain biking. There is a natural hot mineral spring in White Sulphur Springs which is open to the public all year. The Big Belt, Little Belt, and Castle Mountains surround White Sulphur Springs along with thousands of acres of public lands and there are several campgrounds in the nearby Lewis and Clark National Forest.

• 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.

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

• Master’s degree.

• At least one degree or relevant work experience in youth development, education, agriculture, family and consumer sciences, or community vitality, 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.

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.

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 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.”

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Upon completion of a successful search

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.

Exempt