Work Location: LaHouse Research and Education Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803.
Position Description: The Decision Support System (DSS) Extension Associate is a 12-month, non-tenure track position at the LaHouse Resource Center, part of the LSU Agricultural Center Department of Biological & Agricultural Engineering at the LSU AgCenter. This position focuses on translating technical data about natural hazards and potential economic loss into visualizations, data products, and applications that stakeholders can use to make informed decisions. The successful applicant will work directly with the LaHouse research and extension teams, potential user stakeholder communities, and the LSU AgCenter Information Technology (IT) department. The LaHouse research and extension teams will conduct the necessary research and manage the stakeholder engagement, The DSS Extension Associate position is unique in that the successful applicant will serve as a bridge between research and extension team members, end users, and software developers.
This position will support two funded projects: The Louisiana State Hazard Mitigation Plan and LaHouse Research Center’s Flood Mitigation Sandbox software application. The State Hazard Mitigation Plan webmapping portal will be developed by the DSS Extension Associate to publicly share statewide natural hazard and risk assessment data and provide educational outreach for mitigation strategies. The Flood Mitigation Sandbox is a software application prototype that will allow stakeholders to explore, simulate, and evaluate how changes in floodplain elevation ordinances affect current and future flood risk metrics.
Duties and Responsibilities:
40% Flood Mitigation Sandbox
The candidate will contribute to the ongoing development of the Flood Mitigation Sandbox tool by ensuring the integration of location-based data, risk projections, and climate-related data to support mitigation planning efforts. The DSS Extension Associate will create and maintain responsive, scalable, and flexible web-based applications and tools using modern software development frameworks and GIS platforms.
20% Louisiana State Hazard Mitigation Plan Webmapping Portal
The successful candidate will be responsible for leading the development of a publicly accessible webmapping portal for the Louisiana State Hazard Mitigation Plan. This includes designing an interactive platform that allows stakeholders and the general public to access hazard risk maps and relevant data.
10% Stakeholder Collaboration and Educational Outreach
The successful candidate will collaborate with project stakeholders, including state agencies, local governments, community leaders, and academic institutions, to gather input and feedback, ensuring that the web-based applications and tools align with stakeholder needs and objectives. The successful candidate will assist in creating public-facing educational campaigns regarding
hazard mitigation strategies and the effective use of the developed applications. The candidate will engage with stakeholders to ensure broad adoption and long-term impact of the developed applications.
10% Testing, Deployment, and Support
The DSS Extension Associate will be responsible for conducting beta testing for web tools, troubleshooting technical issues, and deploying refined versions for public use. They will work with AgCenter IT to ensure that all applications comply with security policies and accessibility standards. Additionally, the successful candidate will provide technical support and training assistance, including the development of instructional guides and the facilitation of hands-on training sessions to help users fully engage with the tools.
10% Data Integration and Visualization
The successful candidate will work closely with team members to integrate data from various sources (e.g., census, flood hazard models) into software prototypes. They will develop user-friendly data visualizations that support decision-making by stakeholders and the general public.
10% Other Duties as Assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, geographic information systems (GIS), or a closely related field. Proven experience in web-based application development. Proven experience in front-end and back-end technologies such as C#, .NET framework, Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and GIS integration. Familiarity with GIS platforms such as Google Earth Engine, ArcGIS, or similar tools. Strong understanding of data visualization techniques
and user interface (UI) design. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and engage with stakeholders from diverse sectors. Strong technical and problemsolving skills, along with the ability to effectively communicate and present complex concepts.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in computer science, information technology, geographic information systems (GIS), or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated experience with climate or hazard risk modeling tools and large-scale data integration.
- Demonstrated completion of public-sector IT projects,particularly those involving community planning or disaster mitigation. Demonstrated familiarity with open-source software development practices.
- Demonstrated experience in educational outreach or public engagement efforts, particularly in the context of hazard risk and mitigation strategies.
Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications 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.
Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process.
Application Deadline: December 18, 2024, or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Application Procedure: Apply online at https://LSU.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (or through Workday for internal candidates) by attaching cover letter with detailed CV including educational, employment, and research or outreach experiences, official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and any other pertinent information. Letters of recommendation can be sent directly to:
Dr. Carol Friedland
Director, LaHouse Resource Center
Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
LSU AgCenter
3662 Gourrier Ave,
Baton Rouge, LA, 70820
Email: CFriedland@agcenter.lsu.edu
Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com
The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer.
