(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 Acadia and Jeff Davis parishes in the Southwest Region of the LSU AgCenter. While the position will have responsibilities for programming and/or serving as a point of contact in both parishes, the position is expected to be primarily domiciled in Acadia Parish.
Position Description: The Assistant/Associate Nutrition & Community Health Extension Agent will work under the supervision and direction of the Parish Chair, NCH Regional Coordinator, Regional Director, and NCH state office staff. This position will have a 20% EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) appointment and an 80% Flavors of Health (FOH-general nutrition) education appointment.
For the 20% EFNEP appointment, the Agent will provide leadership to EFNEP efforts in Acadia Parish. Responsibilities will include training, evaluating, and supervision of local EFNEP personnel. The Agent will support local EFNEP personnel through assisting in developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with community agencies and grassroots organizations. Additionally, the Agent will collect and analyze program data, create reports, and communicate outcomes; manage program assets and funds and promote EFNEP goals and objectives that meet the requirements of federal EFNEP policy guidelines.
For the 80% Flavors of Health (FOH) appointment, the Agent will develop and maintain a plan of work for general nutrition education programming based on current FOH expectations and for serving as a primary point of contact in Acadia and Jeff Davis parishes. This will include recruitment, implementation of core curricula; preparation of nutrition education materials/communications/activities that target local needs or requests, facilitation of community advisory committee to provide programmatic direction and strengthen program efforts. Additionally, the incumbent would be expected to disseminate research-based information, develop educational opportunities, and participate in other educational meetings aimed at serving stakeholders in the parishes assigned. The Agent is expected to use a variety of delivery methods in delivering information and providing educational opportunities which could include newsletters, social media, workshops, and other educational meetings, and contributing to parish-based web pages. As part of this work, the Agent will work on Healthy Community projects in the parishes as needed.
Coordination and collaboration with other LSU AgCenter and SU AgCenter Extension faculty and staff will be essential. The Agent would be encouraged to work with other faculty and program areas within the parishes to identify collaborations that would benefit, strengthen, and leverage the educational programming of all faculty. The incumbent is expected to be computer literate and able use various types of technology such as tablets, phones, etc. as teaching tools for nutrition education training and outreach. The incumbent is expected to complete an annual plan of work with teaching objectives and will be responsible for reporting programmatic results to parish, regional and/or state partners as required by local or regional supervisor(s), state office personnel or state nutrition administrators. This employee must maintain an extensive record keeping system which involves evaluation of knowledge, skills, and behavior change for accountability purposes. As an extension employee, the Agent must be willing to continue professional improvement to maintain professional competence as a faculty member of the LSU AgCenter. To attend and conduct programming to meet the needs of clientele, this position requires overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends. Additionally, the Agent is expected to perform other tasks that may be as assigned by supervisor(s).
Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in dietetics, community and family nutrition, human ecology, public health, wellness and/or health, 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 community organizing. Two years of experience is desired in recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers, and paraprofessionals. Experience in teaching and applying principles of leadership development to both youth and adults is also desired. Knowledge of public relations, food systems, community development, a familiarity of the cultures within the parishes assigned and the ability to cope with change are highly desirable characteristics. 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.
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 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) 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 4, 2025 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 letter of application, resume, official university transcripts, 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:
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.
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