Work Location: The area to be served includes Jefferson Davis parish as the primary ANR extension agent focusing on both agronomic and horticulture crops, with additional sugarcane responsibilities in Cameron, Calcasieu and Acadia parishes. Jefferson Davis parish encompasses 87,000 acres of rice, 6,500 acres of soybeans, and over 18,000 head of beef cattle. Total sugarcane acreage in Jefferson Davis, Cameron, Calcasieu and Acadia parishes is estimated at 6,700 acres.
Position Description: This is a non-tenure track, agent level position (100% Extension ANR). The agent will serve as a point of contact and provide educational programing primarily focused on agronomic crop production and horticulture production in Jeff Davis parish with additional sugarcane production programming in Cameron, Calcasieu and Acadia parishes.
The Agent will provide stakeholders with research-based information and educational opportunities through a variety of delivery methods including on-farm visits, area-wide demonstrations, workshops, field days, and other educational meetings. The agent will establish advisory committees to identify clientele needs, develop extension programming, implement a system of program evaluation, and report program accomplishments and impacts annually. The Agent will disseminate LSU AgCenter recommendations through a variety of avenues which could include newsletters, factsheets, social media postings, newspaper and other popular press articles. In addition, the Agent will contribute to the web page of assigned parishes and assist in providing pesticide re-certification training. Involvement and participation with agriculturally based organizations and associations such as the Jeff Davis Parish Rice Growers’ Association, Farm Bureau, Cattlemen’s Association, and Master Gardener groups is expected for the agent to become fully engaged in the agricultural community. As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development and remain current with agriculture and natural resources research and its application to programming.
The incumbent is expected to be an effective team player, work cooperatively with other Extension faculty at the parish, region and state levels and perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s). The agent will work under the administrative supervision and direction of the parish chair and regional director. This position requires some overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends to meet the needs of the clientele.
Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in education, vocational education, agricultural sciences, natural renewable resources, biological sciences, or closely related areas. 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. A Master's degree in the fields listed above is preferred. 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 adults is also desired. Knowledge of public relations 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.
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). 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) 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 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: August 9, 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, 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:
Jeremy P. Hebert
Southwest Region ANR Coordinator
Acadia Parish Extension Office
157 Cherokee Drive, Crowley, LA 70526
Email: jphebert@agcenter.lsu.edu
Phone: 337-788-8821
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 Employer.
