Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number FAC - VA - 27034
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Larry Brence
406-874-8236
lbrence@montana.edu
Classification Title
Working Title Extension Agent, Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development, Sheridan County
Brief Position Overview
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 primary emphasis for this full-time position will be to provide leadership and educational programming in the disciplines of 4-H/Youth Development, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Horticulture.
The Extension Office staff in Sheridan County also includes a full-time office administrative assistant.
Faculty Tenure Track Yes
Faculty Rank Up To Professor
Position Number 4B3781
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
Sheridan County is located in the extreme northeastern corner of Montana, bordering North Dakota to the east and Canada to the north. The Extension office is located in Plentywood, which is also the county seat.
Sheridan County is a rural agricultural community whose top industry centers on the family farm and ranch. The land is mostly prairie, of which three-fourths is tillable. The soil is of glacial origin, which provides a rich base for small grain production. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, there were 458 farms with an average size of 2,323 acres. A total of 1,041,794 out of the county's 1,073,056 acres were in farms. Wheat, cattle, and pulse crops are the major agricultural products, with Sheridan County leading the state in durum wheat production. Sheridan County is also the leading pulse crop-producing county in the United States.
The 4-H program has an enrollment of 100 youth in three clubs throughout the county, along with 40 volunteer leaders.
Oil production and development are also important components of the local economy. Sheridan County has excellent health care and retirement facilities and is the location of a center for developmentally disabled adults.
According to the 2010 Census, the population of Sheridan County is 3,384 residents, of whom 1,734 live in Plentywood, which also serves as the primary trade center for the county. K-12 education is available in Plentywood, Medicine Lake, and Westby.
Sporting opportunities abound in Sheridan County, with the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, world-class pheasant hunting, and numerous other recreational and sporting opportunities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Conduct community needs assessment and develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in 4-H/youth development, agriculture, natural resources, and horticulture.
Collaborate with nearby Extension Agents to develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate 4-H Youth Development programs.
Collaborate with local stakeholders and Extension staff to continually assess needs to inform educational programming priorities in Sheridan 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 Sheridan County.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor's Degree in education, youth development, agriculture, natural resources, horticulture, 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 education, youth development, agriculture, natural resources, horticulture, 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 Sheridan 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.
Obtain a Government Pesticide Applicator license and provide oversight of the local Private Pesticide Applicator program in Carbon County.
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 7, 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.
