Work Location: The area to be served includes a four-parish area including Beauregard, Grant, Rapides, and Vernon Parishes. While this position will have responsibilities in the four-parish area, the domicile location will be determined upon completion of the interview process. The four-parish region has roughly 48,000 head of cattle, 1000 herd of goats, 500 flock of sheep, and approximately 50,000 acres of pasture, hay, and forage production.
Position Description: This is a non-tenure track, agent level position (100% Extension ANR) with responsibilities for animal and forage commodities in assigned parishes. The Agent will provide the livestock sector in the four-parish region with research-based information and educational opportunities on livestock and forage production through a variety of delivery methods including on-farm visits, area-wide demonstrations, workshops, field days, and other educational meetings. The agent will establish advisory committees for livestock to identify clientele needs, develop extension programming, implement a system of program evaluation, and report program accomplishments and impacts annually. The Agent will disseminate LSU AgCenter recommendations through a variety of avenues which could include newsletters, factsheets, social media postings, newspaper, and other popular press articles, and by contributing to the web page of assigned parishes. The Agent will also be expected to work the 4-H Livestock and Horse programs in the domicile parish and Central Region, become familiar and work with other Agents with responsibilities for other major commodities in the domicile parish, and work with other Agents in offering pesticide recertification opportunities for producers. Involvement and participation with parish based agricultural associations such as Farm Bureau and Cattlemen's Association and other commodity-based organizations will be necessary for the Agent to become fully engaged in the agricultural community. As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development and remain current with agriculture and natural resources research and its application to programming. The incumbent is expected to be an effective team player, work cooperatively with other Extension faculty at the parish, region and state levels and perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s). The agent will work under the administrative supervision and direction of the parish chair and regional director. To attend and conduct training to meet the needs of the clientele, this position requires some overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends.
Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in animal science, agronomy, plant sciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field is required. A Master's degree in those fields and/or some experience in animal agriculture production is preferred. Experience in goat and sheep production is desirable. Must have an undergraduate degree with an overall grade-point average of at least 2.5 (all GPA requirements based on a 4.0 system) and a 3.0 for graduate work attempted. The candidate must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. Experience in planning and executing educational programs and working cooperatively with individuals and groups is desired. Knowledge of public relations and the ability to cope with change are highly desirable characteristics. The ability to work with and through others is essential as is the ability to function with minimum supervision.
Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision; long-term care, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year, typically includes a week off at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.
Conditions of Employment: A personal automobile and appropriate insurance coverage is required (travel allowance provided). Some work on evenings and weekends should be expected. A cell phone is required. Satisfactory completion of two specific graduate level extension courses (6 credit hours) generally required in the first two years of employment. Additionally, a faculty member who does not have a related master's degree must complete an additional 9 hours of related graduate level coursework in order to be promoted to associate agent and such promotion must occur in the first seven years of employment. An exception is that additional agent experience may be substituted for nine hours of coursework, but not for the two required courses.
Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process.
Application Deadline: April 13, 2024 or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Application Procedure: Qualified candidates must apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (or through Workday for internal applicants) by attaching file(s) containing a curriculum vita, a letter of application, official university transcripts, and two letters of reference. Questions about the online application system should be directed to the HRM Office at 225-578-0324. (Paper, faxed, or emailed application materials will not be accepted.) In lieu of attaching the letters of reference, they may be sent directly to:
Dr. Daniel Stephenson
Regional Director
Central Region Office
8105 Tom Bowman Drive
Alexandria, LA 71302
Phone: 318-473-6520
Email: dstephenson@agcenter.lsu.edu
Website: www.lsuagcenter.com
The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and applications will be accepted without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Information on Equal Employment can be obtained from the EEO and Civil Rights Coordinator, 103 J. Norman Efferson Hall, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Phone 225.578.2258. It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service to employ only United States citizens or aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer.
