Work Location: The position will support general horticultural needs of stakeholders across several parishes in the Central region. This position will serve the following parishes: Rapides, Avoyelles, Grant, and St. Landry. The domicile office will be in the Rapides Parish Extension Office in Alexandria, LA. Commercial horticultural crops produced in the region include various ornamentals, fruits, vegetables, and pecans.
Position Description: This is a non-tenure track, agent level position (100% Extension) with responsibilities for selected horticultural Extension programs. The Assistant/Associate/Extension Agent will provide leadership for and work with producers, homeowners, commercial horticulturists, and other LSU AgCenter personnel to plan and organize a well-balanced Extension educational program for the Central Region. Some examples of the activities conducted include, but are not limited to, school/community gardens, demonstrations, workshops, Master Gardener programs, and educational meetings. The Assistant/Associate/Extension Agent will disseminate LSU AgCenter recommendations, contribute to the parish web pages and maintain current information for clientele. The Assistant/Associate/Extension Agent is responsible for working with advisory committees to identify clientele needs, to develop programs that respond to those needs, and to assess program impact. The successful candidate will be required to prepare a strategic plan for the development and execution of an educational program emphasizing stakeholder horticulture interests and needs. The incumbent is expected to perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s) and work cooperatively with other Extension faculty at the parish, regional, and state levels. As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development.
Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree (Master’s or Ph.D. degree is desired) in horticulture, agronomy, plant sciences, environmental sciences, or closely related areas is required. Some experience in horticulture is desirable. Must have an undergraduate degree with an overall grade point average of at least 2.5 GPA (GPA requirements based on a 4.0 point system) and a 3.0 GPA for any graduate work attempted. Candidate must be an effective communicator, utilize mass media in outreach programs and possess the ability to work cooperatively with individuals and groups. Candidate must be proficient in planning and executing educational programs in horticulture production systems and should have practical knowledge of horticulture practices.
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.
Conditions of Employment: A personal automobile and appropriate insurance coverage is required (travel allowance provided). 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: January 3, 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 and a 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:
Tara P Smith, Ph D
Central Region Office
8105 Tom Bowman Drive
Alexandria, LA 71302
Phone: 318-473-6520
Email: tsmith@agcenter.lsu.edu
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
