Job description

The Fort Belknap Reservation, homeland to the Gros Ventre (Aaniiih) and Assiniboine (Nakoda) Tribes, is located forty miles south of the Canadian border, twenty miles north of the Missouri River, and forty-five miles east of Havre (site of MSU -Northern, a four-year college that is part of the greater Montana University System). Fort Belknap is the fourth largest reservation in Montana, encompassing an area of 675,147 acres, extending approximately 28 miles from east to west and 35 miles north to south. The terrain, for the most part, is rolling plains with the Little Rocky Mountains located at the south end of the reservation. The communities of Hays and Lodge Pole are nestled within the Little Rocky Mountains. The reservation’s main industry is agriculture, including cattle ranches, hay production, and dryland farming.

The Hays Lodge Pole School system (K-12) and St. Paul’s Mission School (K-6) are located in these communities, respectively. There are over 8,000 enrolled tribal members with approximately 4,900 living on or near the reservation. Fort Belknap College is located at the Fort Belknap Agency community on the north end of the reservation and near the town of Harlem, which also has a K-12 elementary and secondary school system. The Dodson community borders the east side of the reservation and also has a K-12 school system. The MSU Fort Belknap Extension Office is located at the agency community, home of most tribal government activities. The area offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities including camping, boating, fishing, hiking, and hunting.

The Fort Belknap 4-H program was established in 2019. There are currently four 4-H clubs with 20 members and 4 volunteer leaders enrolled in the program.

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with diverse individuals, foster and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, exhibit excellent written and verbal communications skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of students and the mission of Montana State University.

Duties and Responsibilities
Develop, plan, implement, facilitate, and evaluate successful, research-based educational programs in agriculture, with emphases on livestock and farm/ranch management, forage and crop production; pest management, and food system sustainability that result in positive community impacts.
Provide leadership for development, planning, facilitation, and evaluation of the Fort Belknap 4-H program to foster positive youth development and volunteer recruitment and engagement toward a successful 4-H program.
Collaborate with local Extension staff and stakeholder groups on the Fort Belknap Reservation and in Blaine County to conduct continuous needs assessments in agriculture and 4-H youth development to inform programming priorities on the Fort Belknap Reservation.
Embrace a team approach to planning, developing, and implementing the overall MSU Extension program on the Fort Belknap Reservation.
Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with peer Extension agents, Extension specialists, Tribal Council members, and appropriate local individuals, groups, boards, agencies, and organizations to leverage educational programming on the Fort Belknap Reservation.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal science, sustainable food systems, 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 positive 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 or relevant work experience in agriculture, animal science, sustainable food systems, or related field
Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups and help them find constructive solutions to locally identified issues.
Knowledge of or experience with the Fort Belknap Tribe or other native communities.
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 on the Fort Belknap Reservation; and will be able to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. The successful candidate will also possess a familiarity with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic audiences, an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds, and a commitment to the principles of diversity, and dedication to supporting and enhancing Montana State University’s initiative for diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
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
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 October 24, 2022; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions
Please note – for this position – Five (5) references have been requested.

Diversity Statement

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples. https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html.

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. https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/affirmative_action_plan.html.

MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/policy/discrimination/index.html.

FLSA Details
FLSA Determination

FLSA Status Exempt

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