Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (Horticulture)

Louisiana State University • Baton Rouge, LA

33d • Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (100% ANR) will engage stakeholders in the two-parish region with research-based educational information on horticulture (commercial and consumer). The agent will establish advisory committees for horticulture and other related focus areas to identify clientele needs, develop extension programming, implement a system of program evaluation, and report program accomplishments and impacts annually. The Agent will provide stakeholders with research-based information and educational opportunities in horticulture through a variety of delivery methods including on-farm visits, area-wide demonstrations, workshops, field days, school/community gardens and other educational meetings. Commercial and consumer horticultural practices will include demonstration gardens (community/schools), commercial vegetable demonstrations/field days, home gardens and grounds, fruits, and other horticultural programs. The Agent will maximize the use of media (including social media) to disseminate LSU AgCenter recommendations and research-based information, will contribute educational information on parish websites and assist in pesticide re-certification trainings. The agent will provide leadership; serve as an advisor; and coordinate outreach efforts of the Lafayette Master Gardener program. Involvement with agricultural associations, such as parish Farm Bureau, farmer's markets and garden groups will be necessary. As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development and remain current with agriculture and natural resources research and its application to programming. The incumbent is expected to be an effective team player, work cooperatively with other Extension faculty at the parish, region, and state levels and perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s). The Agent will work under the administrative supervision and direction of the parish chair and regional director. To attend and conduct training to meet the needs of clientele, this position requires some overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree in horticulture, agricultural education, agricultural/environmental science, biological sciences, or closely related areas is required.
• 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.
• A personal automobile and appropriate insurance coverage is required (travel allowance provided).
• Satisfactory completion of one specific graduate level extension courses (3 credit hours) is required in year two or three of employment, prior to promotion eligibility to associate agent.
• Additionally, a faculty member who does not have a related master's degree must complete an additional 12 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 12 hours of coursework, but not for the required course.

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 are desired.
• Knowledge of public relations and media experience are highly desirable characteristics.
• Ability to work with and through others is essential as is the ability to function with minimum supervision.

Responsibilities

• Engage stakeholders in the two-parish region with research-based educational information on horticulture (commercial and consumer).
• Establish advisory committees for horticulture and other related focus areas to identify clientele needs.
• Develop extension programming.
• Implement a system of program evaluation.
• Report program accomplishments and impacts annually.
• Provide stakeholders with research-based information and educational opportunities in horticulture through a variety of delivery methods including on-farm visits, area-wide demonstrations, workshops, field days, school/community gardens and other educational meetings.
• Maximize the use of media (including social media) to disseminate LSU AgCenter recommendations and research-based information.
• Contribute educational information on parish websites.
• Assist in pesticide re-certification trainings.
• Provide leadership; serve as an advisor; and coordinate outreach efforts of the Lafayette Master Gardener program.
• Involvement with agricultural associations, such as parish Farm Bureau, farmer's markets and garden groups will be necessary.
• Continue professional development and remain current with agriculture and natural resources research and its application to programming.
• Work cooperatively with other Extension faculty at the parish, region, and state levels and perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s).

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
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees