Work Location: Grant and LaSalle Parishes. The domicile location is Grant Parish. The areas to be served are Grant at 60% effort and LaSalle at 40% effort.
Position Description:
The Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (Family and Consumer Sciences- Nutrition) will serve as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Education Program (SNAP-Ed) agent and will work under the supervision and direction of the Parish Chair, Regional Director, FCS Regional Coordinator, and State SNAP-Ed Program Coordinator. (80%) The agent will provide primary leadership in planning, implementing, evaluating, and reporting nutrition education programming for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients and other low-income families.
The agent will work on a Healthy Communities project in Grant and LaSalle Parishes, designed to improve the nutrition and health of the SNAP-Ed eligible community members using a model that may be replicated across the state. The community development project will promote broad programs in health and nutrition education and physical activity opportunities in the parish. The agent will organize community-based nutrition advisory committees involving stakeholders, volunteers, and other health professionals to identify the most critical needs in the communities served as well as programs to address those needs. The agent will provide primary leadership in planning, implementing, evaluating, and reporting health and nutrition education programming for adult and youth in the parish. The agent will provide general nutrition programming for FOH (Flavors of Health) to other individuals and families as well in both parishes (20%).
This individual must be willing to maintain professional competence as a faculty member of the LSU AgCenter. Coordination and collaboration with other LSU AgCenter Extension faculty as well as the Pennington Biomedical Research Center staff will be essential. In order to attend and conduct programming to meet the needs of clientele, this position may require overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends. The incumbent is expected to be computer literate and able to use mobile devices such as iPads as teaching tools for nutrition education. The incumbent will support community nutrition for target population neighborhoods and will coordinate with staff and leaders to initiate community and school gardens as they relate to nutrition education. The incumbent is expected to complete an annual plan of work with teaching objectives and perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s). This individual will be responsible for reporting, in addition to following deadlines, for any other local or state reporting called upon to complete. Employee must maintain an extensive record keeping system which involves evaluation of knowledge, skills, and behavior change for accountability purposes. This individual will be responsible for reporting, in addition to following deadlines, for any other local or state reporting called upon to complete. The agent is expected to perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor(s).
Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in community nutrition, human foods and nutrition, family and consumer sciences, education, dietetics or closely related field from an accredited college or university is required. A master’s degree in nutrition or a health-related field is preferred. 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, if any, or master’s degree with an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0 or a current grade-point average of at least 3.0 on at least 12 hours of graduate credit. The applicant must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. Experience in recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers and experience in teaching and applying principles of leadership development to both adults and youth is also desired. Knowledge of public relations, flexibility, and the ability to cope with change are highly desirable characteristics. Ability to work with others is essential, as is the ability to function with minimum supervision. The successful candidate will exemplify a positive attitude and a passion to improve the lives of others.
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, appropriate insurance coverage, and a cellular phone is required (travel allowance provided). Satisfactory completion of two specific graduate level extension courses is generally required in the first two years of employment. Additionally a faculty member must complete a minimum of 15 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.
Application Deadline: February 23, 2023 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, two letters of reference anda statement describing how diversity would figure into your teaching, research, or extension activities,. 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. Tara Smith
Central Region Director
LSU Agricultural Center
Alexandria, LA 710302
Email: tsmith@agcenter.lsu.edu
Phone: 318-557-9501; Fax: (318) 427-6535
Web site: 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/Affirmative Action Employer.
