(This is a grant-funded, non-tenure track position. Funding must be available for any continuation of appointment.)
Work Location: The area to be served is a two-parish region including St. Martin and St. Mary parishes in the Southwest Region of the LSU AgCenter. The position will be primarily domiciled in St. Martin Parish but will also have responsibilities in St. Mary Parish.
Position Description: This is a non-tenure track, agent level position. The Assistant/Associate Extension Agent will work under the supervision and direction of the Parish Chair, Regional Director, Nutrition and Community Health regional coordinator, and Nutrition & Community Health state office staff. This position will involve 80% Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Plan Education (SNAP-Ed) and 20% general nutrition (Flavors of Health). The Agent will work on the Healthy Communities projects in assigned parish(es) designed to improve the nutrition and health of the community members. The Agent will continue and promote Healthy Communities initiatives to increase healthy food access and physical activity in the parish(es) by addressing the food system and built environment. The Extension Agent will be responsible for organizing community-based advisory committees involving stakeholders, local government, volunteers, other health professionals and community residents to identify the most critical needs in the communities served, strategies to address those needs, ways to overcome community barriers to good nutrition and health for the communities and build community advocacy. After identifying parish needs through the advisory process, the Agent will then work with advisory committees and community groups to promote healthy behaviors among the parish(s). The Agent will provide primary leadership in planning, implementing, evaluating and reporting food and physical activity interventions, as well as implementing health and nutrition education programming for adult and youth in the parish(s) leading up to and as a result of these efforts. In addition, the Extension Agent will supervise nutrition education outreach efforts of up to two SNAP-Ed nutrition educators and will provide general nutrition programming to other individuals and families as needed and requested (20%). As an Extension employee, the Agent must be willing to continue professional improvement/development to maintain professional competence as a faculty member of the LSU AgCenter. 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. Additionally, the Agent is expected to perform other tasks that may be as assigned by supervisors.
Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in dietetics, community and family nutrition, human ecology, public health, health and/or wellness, food science, food systems management, or closely related degree from an accredited college or university is required. Degrees in other fields that relate to the duties of the position may be considered if combined with directly related experience. The applicant must have an undergraduate degree with an overall grade point average of at least a 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 or a current grade point average of at least 3.0 on at least 12 hours of graduate credit. This applicant must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. Applicant must have knowledge of Program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. Experience in recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, as well as experience in teaching to both youth and adults, is desired. Knowledge of public relations, food systems, health and wellness, a familiarity of the cultures within the parishes assigned 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. Successful candidates will exemplify a positive attitude and a passion to improve the lives of others. Supervisory experience is preferred.
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 are 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) is 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: March 21, 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 or resume, 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:
Ms. Mandy Armentor, NCH Coordinator
Southwest Region Office
1373 Caffey Road
Rayne, LA 70578
Email: marmentor@agcenter.lsu.edu
Phone: 337-788-7547; Fax 337-788-7553
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, 110 LSU Union Square, 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.
