Location: all cities,MT, USA
Blaine County is located in north central Montana, and the county borders Canada. Blaine County has an area of 4,500 square miles with an average of 1.7 persons per square mile. The county population is near 7,000, with the largest population centers in Chinook, Harlem, and Turner. Based on an agricultural economy, Blaine County also relies on oil, gas, tourism and education as primary sources of employment. Hunting, fishing, rodeo, softball and bowling are popular forms of recreation. The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is located along the southern border of the county. Bear Paw Battlefield National Park is located 15 miles south of Chinook and the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation lies in the eastern third of the county. Complete school systems are located in the communities of Chinook, Harlem, and Turner. Montana State University-Northern and the Northern Montana Medical Center are located in Havre, 21 miles west of Chinook. The Blaine County 4-H program has 125 youth members and 25 adult leaders in six organized clubs.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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in Family and Consumer Sciences and 4-H Youth Development.
Work collaboratively with the Blaine County Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development agent to provide shared leadership for the Blaine County 4-H program.
Cooperate with other MSU Extension staff in implementing, maintaining, and evaluating a balanced interdisciplinary Extension program which will benefit the ongoing effectiveness of the Blaine County Extension program.
Collaborate with local stakeholders and Extension staff to continually assess needs to inform educational programming priorities in Blaine County and potential collaboration with other counties and reservations.
Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with peer Extension agents, Extension specialists, county commissioners, and appropriate local individuals, groups, boards, agencies, and organizations to leverage educational programming in Blaine County.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor's degree or relevant work experience in Youth Development, Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, or related field.
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.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Master's degree.
At least one degree in Youth Development, Education, Family and Consumer Sciences, or 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.
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 Blaine County; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will establish relationships and work with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
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.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.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 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
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.