development specialist Bozeman, MT
Job description
The MSU Extension Community Development program works to address the critical issues facing the social, civic, economic and leadership capacity of communities across Montana through education, applied research, and research-informed strategies.
The primary focus of this position is to plan, deliver, and evaluate community-based Extension programs for adults in Montana communities, conduct research, and produce scholarship that responds to issues facing communities in Montana. It is a full-time, 12-month appointed tenure track Extension position located in the College of Letters & Science, in the Department of Earth Sciences. Workload distribution for this position is 50% Teaching (this is Extension teaching in communities for adults, not on-campus classroom teaching), 40% Scholarship, and 10% Service.
We are seeking a candidate that possesses the ability to assess the needs of internal and external Extension audiences and guide strategic planning and action to meet those needs. The Community Development program is growing, and the Specialist will provide support and leadership to further develop the capacity and impact of Community Development work in Montana.
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.
Duties and Responsibilities
Work effectively with a range of clientele including county and tribal Extension Agents, Extension Specialists and Associate Specialists, MSU Faculty, community leaders and groups, and non-profit and government partners.
Provide programming for the range of clientele that builds their social, civic, economic and leadership capacity.
Help Extension faculty and communities assess community and economic development needs, determine program priorities, and design, deliver, and evaluate outcome-based programs.
Produce scholarship to inform strategies to strengthen social, civic, economic and leadership capacity of MSU Extension faculty, local leaders, communities, and non-profits across Montana.
Secure funding to support community development research and outreach activities, including applied research that has a direct impact on Montana’s communities.
Represent MSU Extension and the department through service on community, university, state, and regional boards.
Travel in-state regularly throughout the year to deliver Extension programs.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
An earned doctorate in community development, community economics, business, public policy, planning and/or administration; economics, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated ability to develop, deliver, and evaluate Extension educational programs, conduct research, and apply scholarship in the areas of community and economic development.
Experience in group facilitation or teaching with adult learners.
Experience in working with rural communities, governments, and non-profits.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Demonstrated potential for excellence in teaching adults in community-based settings, research, program development, and program evaluation.
Demonstrated potential for success in proposing, securing and managing external grants.
Demonstrated knowledge of and capacity to engage with the types of local economic, social, governance challenges and opportunities present in Montana’s diverse community contexts.
Experience in successful community development research and programming in rural, Tribal and resource dependent communities.
The Successful Candidate Will
Demonstrate excellent professional, interpersonal and written communication skills.
Work collaboratively with constituencies at the community, county, state, University, and national levels.
Have the ability to build capacity in constituencies using principles of adult education and collaborative facilitation techniques as well as the interest and capacity to share that expertise with colleagues and partners.
Express a compelling vision for building on existing strengths in Extension and the department to offer a cohesive Community Development program which is responsive to emerging challenges in Montana.
Have a familiarity with multi-cultural and different socioeconomic and underserved audiences, an interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds, and have a commitment to the principles of diversity and to excellence in all aspects of their role.
Demonstrate interest in supporting student mentorship through collaboration in service learning, graduate and undergraduate research projects.
Have a commitment to the Land-Grant University mission of Montana State University.
Have the ability to work effectively with diverse audiences and colleagues.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
The 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 Earth Sciences department has a full-time faculty of 13 earth scientists, geologists and geographers. We have about 50 active graduate students in our Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Earth Sciences programs. Our PhD program was added in Fall 2004. There are 200+ undergraduate majors in the department, divided between geography, geology, geohydrology, gis/planning, snow science and paleontology.
The College
MSU is located in Bozeman, Montana, an extended community of about 70,000 nestled in the Rocky Mountains in Southwest Montana. In addition to providing access to an extraordinary ecosystem for teaching and research programs, Bozeman is renowned for year-round recreational and cultural opportunities including access to world class ski areas, multiple blue ribbon trout streams, and the Gallatin National Forest. The Bozeman-Yellowstone International Airport is served by eight airlines and is the busiest airport in the state. Named an All American City, Bozeman boasts high-quality medical facilities, a very low crime rate, many fine restaurants, acclaimed public and private schools, a symphony orchestra and choir, an annual opera, and nationally known events such as the Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts held in early August of each year. Bozeman is listed as one of National Geographic’s “World’s 25 Best Ski Towns.” Bizjournals.com ranked Bozeman #2 on the list of American Dreamtowns – small towns that offer the best quality of life without metropolitan hassles. The K-12 educational system, growing reputation of Montana State University, and pristine natural environment of the area combine to make Bozeman one of America’s most desirable university towns. Bozeman is located in the beautiful Gallatin Valley, 90 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.
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 August 21, 2023; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
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.
Montana State University is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University’s mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.
Montana State University makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant’s ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee’s ability to perform the duties of the job. To request an accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, PO Box 172520, Montana State University, Bozeman MT 59717-2520; 406-994-3651; [email protected] .
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.
MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment-guidelines/affirmative_action_plan.html .
FLSA Details
FLSA Determination
FLSA Status
