Assistant/Associate/Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development) - LSU AgCenter, Oak Grove, Louisiana

Job Title: Assistant/Associate/Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development)
Department: West Carroll Parish
Institution:
    LSU AgCenter
    Oak Grove, LA
    United States
Application Deadline: Aug. 15, 2016
Position Start Date: Available immediately
Apply Online Here: https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU

 

POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT -ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE/EXTENSION AGENT - (4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT)

 

LOCATION: The extension office is located in Oak Grove, Louisiana. The area to be served is West Carroll Parish, which is located in North Central Louisiana with a population of approximately 11,604 residents. The parish has 6 public schools with 10 4-H clubs and over 375 4-H members with a potential audience of 2,179 youth. Agricultural commodities in the parish include horticulture, forage, beef cattle, and row crop agriculture.

 

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Assistant/Associate Extension Agent will provide overall leadership for non-formal youth development education in the parish and work with and through volunteers to plan and organize a well-balanced 4-H youth program. The goals of the 4-H program include increasing youth leadership development and community service learning; strengthening the partnership between 4-H and formal education; and expanding volunteer involvement to increase contact hours per youth. The Extension Agent will target increased involvement of less active youth audiences. Program delivery includes 4-H school clubs, project and community clubs, camps, after school programs, school enrichment, leadership programs, short-term special interest groups and community service learning. The incumbent will assist with parish web page and keep information current for parish clientele. The Extension Agent is responsible for working with program advisory committees to identify local youth needs, to develop programs that respond to those needs, and to assess the impacts of the programs. The identification, recruitment, training, and support of volunteers are essential for effective 4-H educational programs. 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 in animal science, vocational education, agribusiness, agricultural sciences, biological sciences, social sciences, education 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 masters 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. A Master’s degree in a field listed above is desired. 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. Experience in outdoor skills and livestock programming is desirable. 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 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 a minimum of 15 hours of related graduate level coursework, which includes the two graduate courses referenced above, in order to be promoted to associate agent and such promotion must occur in the first seven years of employment.

 

DATE AVAILABLE: Upon completion of the selection process

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 15, 2016 or until a suitable candidate is identified

 

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU by attaching cover letter with resume including a statement of professional interest and goals. . 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. Tara Smith, Regional Director, tsmith@agcenter.lsu.edu, (318) 435-2903 or:

 

Human Resource Management
LSU Agricultural Center
103 J.N. Efferson Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Telephone: 225/578-2228
Fax: 225/578-8284
Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com