LSU AgCenter Assistant/Associate/Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development) - Natchitoches, Louisiana (USA)
WORK LOCATION: The extension office is located in Natchitoches, Louisiana. The area to be served is Natchitoches Parish, which is located in Northwest Louisiana with a population of approximately 40,000 residents. The parish has 14 public schools and 2 private schools with 22 clubs and over 500 4-H members with a potential audience of 3060 youth. The goals of the 4-H Youth Development 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.
RESPONSIBILITIES: 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 Extension Agent will target increased involvement of less active youth audiences and expand program diversity and delivery. 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 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 an effective 4-H program. As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development and remain current with youth development and its application to programming. 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, region, and state levels.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A baccalaureate degree in education, vocational education, agricultural sciences, agricultural education, family and consumer sciences/human ecology, biological or social sciences, recreation and leisure studies 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. This 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. 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 education and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Current 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 must complete a minimum of 15 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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 8, 2016 or until a suitable candidate is identified.
DATE AVAILABLE: Upon completion of selection process.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Must apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU by attaching cover letter with resume, university transcripts and two letters of recommendation. (Paper, faxed or e-mailed application materials alone will not be accepted.) In lieu of attaching the letters of recommendation, they may be sent directly to the contact listed below:
Human Resource Management
LSU Agricultural Center
103 J. Norman Efferson Hall
110 LSU Union Square
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225.578.2258
Fax: 225.578.8284
Website: www.lsuagcenter.com
RESPONSIBILITIES: 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 Extension Agent will target increased involvement of less active youth audiences and expand program diversity and delivery. 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 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 an effective 4-H program. As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development and remain current with youth development and its application to programming. 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, region, and state levels.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: A baccalaureate degree in education, vocational education, agricultural sciences, agricultural education, family and consumer sciences/human ecology, biological or social sciences, recreation and leisure studies 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. This 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. 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 education and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Current 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 must complete a minimum of 15 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.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 8, 2016 or until a suitable candidate is identified.
DATE AVAILABLE: Upon completion of selection process.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Must apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU by attaching cover letter with resume, university transcripts and two letters of recommendation. (Paper, faxed or e-mailed application materials alone will not be accepted.) In lieu of attaching the letters of recommendation, they may be sent directly to the contact listed below:
Human Resource Management
LSU Agricultural Center
103 J. Norman Efferson Hall
110 LSU Union Square
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Phone: 225.578.2258
Fax: 225.578.8284
Website: www.lsuagcenter.com