Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (Nutrition & Community Health)

Louisiana State University • Jennings, LA

286d

About The Position

The Assistant/Associate Nutrition & Community Health Extension Agent will work under the supervision and direction of the Parish Chair, NCH Regional Coordinator, Regional Director, and NCH state office staff. This position will have an 80% Flavors of Health (FOH-general nutrition) education appointment and 20% EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) appointment. For the 80% Flavors of Health (FOH) appointment, the Agent will develop and maintain a plan of work for general nutrition education programming based on current FOH expectations and for serving as a primary point of contact in Acadia and Jeff Davis parishes. This will include recruitment, implementation of core curricula; preparation of nutrition education materials/communications/activities that target local needs or requests, facilitation of community advisory committee to provide programmatic direction and strengthen program efforts. Additionally, the incumbent would be expected to disseminate research-based information, develop educational opportunities, and participate in other educational meetings aimed at serving stakeholders in the parishes assigned. The Agent is expected to use a variety of delivery methods in delivering information and providing educational opportunities which could include newsletters, social media, workshops, and other educational meetings, and contributing to parish-based web pages. As part of this work, the Agent will work on Healthy Community projects in the parishes as needed. For the 20% EFNEP appointment, the Agent will provide leadership to EFNEP efforts in Acadia Parish. Responsibilities will include training, evaluating, and supervision of local EFNEP personnel. The Agent will support local EFNEP personnel through assisting in developing and sustaining collaborative relationships with community agencies and grassroots organizations. Additionally, the Agent will collect and analyze program data, create reports, and communicate outcomes; manage program assets and funds and promote EFNEP goals and objectives that meet the requirements of federal EFNEP policy guidelines. Coordination and collaboration with other LSU AgCenter and SU AgCenter Extension faculty and staff will be essential. The Agent would be encouraged to work with other faculty and program areas within the parishes to identify collaborations that would benefit, strengthen, and leverage the educational programming of all faculty. The incumbent is expected to be computer literate and able to use various types of technology such as tablets, phones, etc. as teaching tools for nutrition education training and outreach. The incumbent is expected to complete an annual plan of work with teaching objectives and will be responsible for reporting programmatic results to parish, regional and/or state partners as required by local or regional supervisor(s), state office personnel or state nutrition administrators. This employee must maintain an extensive record keeping system which involves evaluation of knowledge, skills, and behavior change for accountability purposes. As an extension employee, the Agent must be willing to continue professional improvement to maintain professional competence as a faculty member of the LSU AgCenter. To attend and conduct programming to meet the needs of clientele, this position requires overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends. Additionally, the Agent is expected to perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s).

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree in dietetics, community and family nutrition, human ecology, public health, wellness and/or health, food science, food systems management, or closely related degree.
• Overall GPA of at least 2.5 for undergraduate degree and 3.0 for graduate work attempted.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of community organizing.
• Two years of experience in recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers.
• Experience in teaching and applying principles of leadership development.
• Knowledge of public relations, food systems, community development, and familiarity with local cultures.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to cope with change.
• Ability to work with and through others.
• Ability to function with minimum supervision.
• Positive attitude and passion to improve the lives of others.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a plan of work for general nutrition education programming.
• Serve as a primary point of contact in Acadia and Jeff Davis parishes.
• Recruit and implement core curricula for nutrition education.
• Prepare nutrition education materials and communications targeting local needs.
• Facilitate community advisory committee to provide programmatic direction.
• Disseminate research-based information and develop educational opportunities.
• Participate in educational meetings aimed at serving stakeholders.
• Work on Healthy Community projects as needed.
• Provide leadership to EFNEP efforts in Acadia Parish.
• Train, evaluate, and supervise local EFNEP personnel.
• Develop and sustain collaborative relationships with community agencies.
• Collect and analyze program data, create reports, and communicate outcomes.
• Manage program assets and funds.
• Promote EFNEP goals and objectives in compliance with federal guidelines.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other LSU AgCenter and SU AgCenter faculty.
• Complete an annual plan of work with teaching objectives.
• Maintain an extensive record keeping system for accountability.

Benefits

• Retirement options.
• Multiple medical insurance options.
• Supplemental insurances (dental, life, long-term disability, accident, vision, long-term care).
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan.
• University holidays (14 per year).
• Generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree