Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development)

Louisiana State University • 0101 Orleans Parish Extension Office, LA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The LSU AgCenter Orleans Parish Office seeks a 4-H Agent to lead the parish-wide 4-H youth development program. The position requires the ability to work effectively with diverse audiences and build strong relationships with volunteers, community organizations, and peers. The role involves providing leadership in volunteer development and creating engaging, relevant educational content for youth. As a faculty member, responsibilities include collaborating on interdisciplinary projects, providing service to schools, developing creative works for programming, writing scholarly publications, and participating in professional associations. Efforts are documented through an annual plan of work and report of accomplishment. For Assistant/Associate agents, promotion is expected per LSU AgCenter guidelines.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree in education, vocational education, agricultural sciences, family and consumer sciences/human ecology, biological or social sciences, recreation and leisure studies or closely related areas.
• 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.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to use social media in a variety of formats.
• Comfort presenting in front of small and large crowds.
• Experience establishing solid partnerships.
• Highly self-motivated.
• Innovative audience engagement and development.
• Demonstrated skills in partnership development and project management.
• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience.
• Experience managing volunteers.
• Experience working in multicultural settings and coursework/training on multicultural topics.
• A personal automobile and appropriate insurance coverage is required (travel allowance provided).

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Plan, develop, teach, evaluate, and report on youth educational programs that meet the needs of the parish’s diverse population in coordination with the Orleans Parish 4-H Program and in alignment with the strategic direction of the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development program.
• Deliver youth development programming through 4-H community clubs, special interest clubs/groups, school enrichment, day camps, after school programs, and other events and activities, emphasizing leadership, community service, and workforce development.
• Coordinate youth and volunteer involvement in multi-parish, state, regional, and the national 4-H program and events.
• Build and lead a strong volunteer base through recruitment, screening, training, and managing adult volunteers, including competency building using state and national 4-H research-based methods.
• Teach and equip volunteers in educational methods to guide and support 4-H member projects in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), including animal sciences, environmental education, robotics, and agriculture, as well as the arts, entrepreneurship, career development, leadership, nutrition, healthy living, and citizenship.
• Assess and identify opportunities for volunteers to serve in management and leadership roles; then recruit, train, and use volunteers in those roles.
• Ensure the volunteer screening process is implemented and up to date and oversee all aspects of 4-H program risk management as directed by Louisiana 4-H Headquarters and local policies.
• Develop program delivery strategies that include the use of deliberately focused virtual platforms, employing up to 25% virtual programming as appropriate.
• Encourage and support health equity programming and systems for youth as resources are available.
• Use a needs assessment to target programs focused on youth, reflecting the parish’s diverse population and the unique educational needs of Orleans Parish.
• Collaborate and develop strategic partnerships with parish and governmental departments, local businesses, and social service agencies to provide diverse and innovative educational opportunities for positive youth development.
• Use resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness to strengthen current educational programs while reviewing and implementing new policies, maintaining enrollments and records, assessing risks, communicating effectively across social media platforms, managing the program’s financial resources, and creating educational materials.
• Seek and manage financial resources to support 4-H programming and ensure all financial policies are followed as instructed by LSU AgCenter and 4-H Foundation guidelines.
• Follow all LSU AgCenter policies and best practices regarding affirmative action, program development, program evaluation, and reporting.
• Develop and implement a communication plan for 4-H program participants, families, volunteers, and stakeholders using effective and contemporary approaches, including current social media.
• Write content for various media sources (e.g., newspapers, radio, newsletters, web, social media) to promote programs, report on programs, and educate the public.

Benefits

• 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
• Possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level