Flathead County Agriculture Extension Agent

Flathead County Agriculture Extension Agent

This position resides at the MSU Flathead County Extension Office in Kalispell, Montana. The primary duty for County Extension Faculty is to assess local community needs, then develop, implement, and evaluate Extension programming to meet those needs. The main emphasis of the Flathead County Agriculture Agent position will be in the areas of horticulture, agriculture, and natural resources. As a member of the faculty team leading MSU Extension education for the people of Flathead County, efforts will address current and emerging locally identified opportunities for Flathead County.

Foci of this position are to improve the long‑term success of horticulture practitioners, agricultural enterprises, natural resource managers, and 4‑H Youth Development. It is anticipated that the intensity of focus within identified disciplines will be adjusted to address local trends. Flathead County faculty actively pursue multi‑disciplinary programming, and the successful candidate will work with 4‑H Youth Development faculty as appropriate, to plan, implement and evaluate multi‑disciplinary programs.

Flathead County is served by an agent for 4‑H Youth Development, an agent for Family and Consumers Sciences and 4‑H Youth Development, and a full‑time administrative professional.

Focus of this position is to plan, implement and evaluate horticulture, agriculture, and natural resource educational programs serving all Flathead County clientele emphasizing traditional and emerging interests. Horticulture, forage production, invasive species, pasture management, livestock nutrition and water management can be focus disciplines. The audiences for identified emphases are commercial ranchers and farmers, small acreage stewards, and residential clients. The successful candidate will provide leadership by working successfully with volunteers and clientele to identify and meet community needs in Flathead County.

Other responsibilities include collaboration with peers in 4‑H Youth Development or other Extension disciplines to assist MSU Extension in generating positive community impacts. We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with various individuals, foster, and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written, verbal communication skills, and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of students and the mission of Montana State University.

• Develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate educational programs in horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, and 4‑H Youth Development as determined by local community engagement.
• Collaborate with fellow MSU Extension Flathead County faculty to develop, plan, implement, instruct, facilitate, and evaluate 4‑H Youth Development programs.
• Collaborate with other faculty in Flathead County and other nearby MSU Extension offices.
• Strengthen the impact and scope of the Extension Horticulture/Agriculture/Natural Resource program in Park County.
• Provide program leadership by collaborating with Extension field faculty and specialists to deliver needed programs in Flathead County and the surrounding area.
• Provide leadership to stakeholder groups in determining priority needs.
• Involve community leaders in exploring and responding to agriculture policy and natural resource issues that affect Flathead County.
• Conduct continual needs assessments in Flathead County.
• Cooperate with MSU Extension staff to develop a team approach to the planning, development and implementation of overall MSU Extension programming in Flathead County, which will benefit the effectiveness of the Flathead County office.

• Bachelor’s degree in horticulture, agriculture, natural resources, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability lead groups; assess community needs; and develop, organize, plan, teach, and evaluate effective programs.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, and provide professional development to volunteers.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership to Extension programming relating to volunteers and youth.
• Demonstrat…