Assistant/Associate/Extension Agent ( LSU AgCenter Agriculture & Natural Resources - ANR)
LOCATION: The agent is expected to serve as ANR agent with focus on forestry and wildlife for parishes in the Northwest Region (Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Bienville, Lincoln, Red River, and DeSoto). Agriculture in the region is diverse and includes agronomic crops (cotton, corn, soybeans), horticultural crops, forestry and timber, beef cattle, forage production, and poultry.The agent’s office will be located in the Bossier Parish extension office in Benton, LA.The population of Bossier Parish is approximately 125,000.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: This position will be 100% agriculture and natural resources.In addition to serving as the primary ANR contact for Bossier Parish, the candidate will plan, conduct and evaluate educational programs with adults and youth in agriculture production, processing, management and marketing crops and livestock, focusing on forestry and wildlife for land owners and forestry professionals to parishes in the Northwest Region. Outreach will utilize newsletters, mass media, and social media to promote educational programs, and conducting workshops/production meetings (multiple locations in targeted area). The incumbent will work cooperatively with agents conducting multi-parish programs that meet the needs of clientele by selecting, maintaining and working with an advisory committee for agricultural programs and follow an annual plan of work. Involvement with agricultural associations, such as Farm Bureau, Louisiana Forestry Association, state and federal forestry agencies, and Farm Service Agency Board, will be necessary. It will be necessary to incorporate Best Management Practices (BMPs) and environmental awareness, particularly related to water quality and resources in all programming efforts.As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development. 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, district, and state levels.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:A baccalaureate degree forestry, wildlife, natural resources, or closely related areas is required. A Master’s degree in a field listed is desired. 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. 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 both youth and adults is also desired. Knowledge of public relations 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.
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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: July 4, 2018 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 including a statement of professional interest and goals, university transcripts, and two 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:
Patrick Colyer, Regional Director,
Email: PColyer@agcenter.lsu.edu
Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com
