Extension 4-H Specialist, Agriculture & Natural Resources

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the 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 http://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; the ability to contribute to a team environment; the ability to manage multiple and complex tasks with attention to detail; the ability and willingness to work a varying schedule that will include evenings and occasional weekends as assigned. The candidate must have the ability to travel on an occasional basis and possess the ability to represent MSU Extension and the Montana 4-H Youth Development Center and its programs to others in a professional, courteous, and competent manner. The successful candidate will have excellent written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with constituencies at the university, county, state and national levels; a familiarity with multi-cultural and a variety of socioeconomic audiences; an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity; an understanding of the land grant university mission; and an appreciation for economically and ethnically diverse rural and urban populations. The successful candidate will also possess an understanding of the youth program development domain of the 4-H Professional Research and Knowledge Base and Related Competencies.For more information on 4-HPRKC, visit: http://www.national4-hheadquarters.gov/comm/4h_prodev.htm.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

With a doctoral degree, this position will be a fiscal year, tenure-track faculty position with Montana State University Extension in the Montana 4-H Center for Youth Development. With a master's degree, the position will be a fiscal year, non-tenure-track Associate Specialist position with potential of transition into a tenure-track faculty position upon completion of a doctoral degree.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
In addition to regular daytime office hours, this position requires some night and weekend work. The position also requires extensive reading, frequent travel throughout the county, occasional travel throughout the state of Montana, and travel to and from programs with adult and youth participants. The position also requires using a variety of teaching methods, and handling and operating a variety of demonstration and educational equipment.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). Do NOT send a copy of the driver's license.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.

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