Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (Pest Management - Sugarcane)

Louisiana State University

22d • Onsite

About The Position

This is a non-tenure track, agent level position (100% Extension ANR). The candidate will be required to cooperate with research and extension faculty to support the mission and overall goals of the LSU AgCenter. The area agent responsibilities will focus on the sugarcane industry in Louisiana. The incumbent will primarily provide support to the research and extension sugarcane entomologist charged with sugarcane IPM extension programming and entomology research with sugarcane. Additional focal areas may include sugarcane weed and disease management. Responsibilities include delivery and evaluation of current IPM technologies to stakeholders, on-farm demonstrations of recommended IPM practices, and collaboration with a multi-discipline faculty to identify and solve yield-limiting production problems to sugarcane. Additionally, the agent will focus on improving the delivery of IPM information to Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Agronomy Agents. The needs of the sugarcane industry will be addressed with personal contact, workshops, public presentations, professional writing, electronic communications, and web-based content. The Extension Agent is responsible for developing and working with a program advisory committee to identify and prioritize needs related to sugarcane insect pest management and to develop programs that respond to those needs, as well as assessing program impacts. The identification, recruitment, training, and support of volunteers are essential for an effective extension program. 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, regional, and state levels. As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development. The agent will work under the administrative supervision and direction of the regional director where domiciled. To attend and conduct training to meet the needs of the clientele, this position requires some overnight travel and work in the evenings and on weekends.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree in entomology, pest management or closely related area 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.
• Ability to work with and through others is essential as is the ability to function with minimum supervision.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree in the fields listed above is preferred.
• Prior experience working with sugarcane is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Delivery and evaluation of current IPM technologies to stakeholders
• On-farm demonstrations of recommended IPM practices
• Collaboration with a multi-discipline faculty to identify and solve yield-limiting production problems to sugarcane
• Improving the delivery of IPM information to Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service Agronomy Agents
• Addressing the needs of the sugarcane industry with personal contact, workshops, public presentations, professional writing, electronic communications, and web-based content
• Developing and working with a program advisory committee to identify and prioritize needs related to sugarcane insect pest management and to develop programs that respond to those needs, as well as assessing program impacts
• Identification, recruitment, training, and support of volunteers

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