POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Work Location: Hammond Research Station (HRS), 21549 Old Covington Hwy., Hammond, Louisiana.
Position Description: The LSU AgCenter Hammond Research Station is seeking candidates for an Instructor of Ornamental Plant Materials & Trials Coordinator position. This position will be 80% research and 20% extension and involves hands-on management of the plant evaluations and gardens. The candidate will work alongside faculty, staff, students, and volunteers to curate the plant collections, oversee the ornamental trials, and manage the maintenance of individual Hammond gardens across HRS to the highest horticultural standards. The successful candidate in this role will be an experienced landscape horticulturist with the knowledge and ability to serve as a role model for best horticultural practices. The ability to conduct simple design and installation of garden beds is extremely important. This position will manage official plant trials, including organizing propagation, planning, installing and data collection. The successful candidate will ensure trial data and photos are collected, uploaded to the website, and provided to stakeholders in a timely manner. This position is also expected to curate the gardens and collections, coordinating annual propagation efforts, maintain plant records, ensure tags are up to date, and source new and underutilized taxa to evaluate for the Louisiana market. The Instructor will also coordinate weekly volunteer activities in the garden, assist with greenhouse production of plant materials, play a key role with station outreach events, lead garden tours, and oversee maintenance of landscape, garden beds, and production areas. The candidate will be expected to work with HRS faculty to develop informative presentations and contribute newsletters, fact sheets, and other extension materials supporting the Hammond Gardens and ornamental plant materials. Virtual garden tours and other plant materials-related videos will be expected. The successful candidate will participate in the Louisiana Super Plants program and the Plants with Potential program and is expected to maintain a Louisiana pesticide applicator certification for ornamentals while employed. The candidate will be expected to develop working relationships with industry members in accordance with the HRS mission “To evaluate and promote new ornamental crops for the Louisiana green industry and to enhance nursery and landscape management efficiency and sustainability through research, extension and outreach.” Overall, the successful candidate will ensure that gardens and landscape spaces are maintained, plant materials collection is robust and informative, develop extension materials, and work closely with the Director of the Hammond Gardens to develop overall strategic plans, unique and informative demonstrations in the gardens, supporting the overall station mission.
Qualifications Requirements: An M.S. in horticulture or related field is required, and a Ph.D. is preferred. Experience in the landscape and nursery industry is desirable. Applicants must have strong working knowledge of plant materials, experience with building and maintaining landscape beds, and familiarity with common landscape pest management and cultural practices. Ability to lead and manage others, adapt to new work situations, work outside for prolonged periods year-round. Candidate must exhibit good oral/written communication skills and possess good interpersonal skills. An ability to work effectively in a team environment with professional and lay groups is extremely important.
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. Current 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: May 19, 2024, or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Application Procedure: Apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (or in Workday for internal applicants) by attaching cover letter with resume, university transcripts, and three letters of reference. Paper, faxed or e-mailed application materials will not be accepted, except that in lieu of attaching the reference letters online, they may be sent directly to:
Dr. Jeb S. Fields
Chair, Search Committee
Assistant Research Coordinator & Gardens Director, Hammond Research Station, LSU AgCenter
Email: JFields@agcenter.lsu.edu
Website: 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.
