Extension Youth Development Specialist in Agriculture & Natural Resources

Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 24143

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Teri Antilley

***

teri. antilley@montana. edu

Classification Title

Working Title Extension Youth Development Specialist in Agriculture & Natural Resources

Brief Position Overview

The 4-H Specialist for Agriculture and Natural Resources will be officed, along with other 4-H specialists, in the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development, which is located on the Montana State University campus in Bozeman, MT, and will provide statewide leadership and direction for youth development programming and resources in agriculture and natural resources.

Faculty Tenure Track Yes

Faculty Rank Tenure Track/Non-Tenure Track

Position Number 4B3899

Department Extension 4-H

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 $60,000-$80,000, salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

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.

Montana State University Extension and the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development are seeking nominations and applications to fill the position of Extension 4-H Specialist, Agricultural and Natural Resources. The 4-H Center for Youth Development at MSU provides ongoing support to the 4-H program and serves as a statewide resource to other organizations and groups, providing expertise on agriculture and natural resources program development and design, youth development, families, and communities. The 4-H Center is a welcoming and supportive office comprised of personable, engaging, youth-minded, collaborative, and motivated faculty and staff who bring a sense of purpose and enjoyment to their work.

The 4-H Center partners with the Montana 4-H Foundation to fund operations and programs, including livestock and natural resources programs. Currently, Montana 4-H serves 20,000 youth annually through 4-H community clubs, school enrichment, out-of-school programs, and special interest activities (For additional information, please visit our Extension and 4-H webpages at /msuextension. org and montana4h. org).

Duties and Responsibilities

The 4-H Specialist for Agriculture and Natural Resources will provide leadership and direction for youth development programming in agriculture and natural resources, including livestock, horse, and other animal and agriculturally related projects. Responsibilities may also include providing leadership to shooting sports, conservation, wildlife, and other outdoor related 4-H projects, with possible assistance from a Montana 4-H Foundation funded Outdoor Education Coordinator.

• Provide educational and technical information to field Extension faculty and staff with 4-H and youth development responsibilities in 4-H, agriculture, and natural resources.

• Work cooperatively with both county faculty and state Extension specialists in developing, implementing, and evaluating multi-disciplinary activities.

• Facilitate the organization and implementation of programmatic teams to develop, implement, evaluate, and sustain program models which support the responsibilities of the position.

• Collaborate with county agents and specialists to provide training to adult volunteers and teen leaders across the state in agriculture and natural resources.

• Organize agriculture-related contests at Montana 4-H Congress.

• Provide leadership and organization to the statewide horse shows.

• Provide expertise to vet science, plant science, weed science, range science, gardening, horticulture, small animals, and other agriculture 4-H projects.

• Highlight and develop STEM programs in agriculture and record impacts.

• Advise, coordinate, and work cooperatively with the State Horse Committee, State Livestock Committee, and Outdoor Education Coordinator.

• Give leadership to quality assurance and animal welfare initiatives through Montana 4-H.

• May provide leadership and guidance for the 4-H shooting sports program, providing guidance to the Shooting sports coordinator who works with the state advisory group, coordinates training for leaders and instructors, maintains an accurate leader training database, submits regular newsletter and website updates, has fiscal management of the program, and maintains equipment checks and inventory.

• Maintain liaisons and close working relationships with state agencies related to agriculture and natural resources.

• Utilize electronic mail, the Internet and other advancing technology to communicate with MSU Extension staff and others.

• Comply with all Extension federal, state and university reporting requirements.

• Have a leadership role in the development of curriculum related to Ag and Natural Resource 4-H projects including advanced activities for experienced youth.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Earned master's degree in agriculture, agricultural education, Extension education, other youth development, or closely related field. Must have degree in hand by date of employment.

• Demonstrated understanding of agriculture and natural resources 4-H youth development programs.

• Ability to provide leadership in planning, organizing, conducting, and evaluating educational programs related to agriculture and natural resources 4-H youth development programs.

• Ability to maintain and build volunteer involvement in all 4-H delivery modes.

• Experience in county 4-H youth development programming or other comparable experience with youth and leaders.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• An earned doctoral degree from an accredited university in a field appropriate for the position.

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, innovative teaching strategies and methods, and use of technology.

• Demonstrated success in grantsmanship and grant writing.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess excellent interpersonal skills.

• Possess excellent written and verbal communications skills.

• Have the ability to manage multiple and complex tasks with attention to detail.

• Have the ability and willingness to work a varying schedule that will include evenings and occasional weekends as assigned.

• Demonst.