Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (Nutrition)

Louisiana State University

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant/Associate Nutrition & Community Health (NCH) Extension Agent is responsible for delivering community-based nutrition education with a focus on healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, general health and wellness, and chronic disease prevention. This position serves stakeholders in Washington and St. Tammany Parishes in Southeast Louisiana, with 50% of time dedicated to each parish. The assigned domicile office is located in Franklinton. The agent will conduct nutrition education programs primarily targeting Louisiana’s adult population, with youth programming offered as time allows. Most programming will include interactive educational sessions and food demonstrations/tastings. The agent will lead efforts in planning, implementing, conducting, evaluating, and reporting interventions related to food, nutrition, physical activity, and general health. Additional responsibilities include participating in participant recruitment, community outreach, health expos, health fairs, and Ag Extension events. Agents are expected to highlight NCH programs and distribute nutrition education through various communication platforms. The agent must be comfortable working with diverse audiences and delivering education to groups with various learning styles. Awareness of community partnerships and resources is essential, and the agent will organize an advisory committee to identify and address local nutrition-related needs. The position requires a commitment to ongoing professional development, staying abreast of current nutrition trends, and sharing evidence-based information. Occasional overnight travel and availability to work evenings and weekends are required. The agent will serve under the supervision of the parish chair, regional director, NCH regional coordinator, and NCH state office staff, and is expected to collaborate with other Extension faculty.

Requirements

A baccalaureate degree in nutrition, family and consumer sciences, human sciences, vocational education or a closely related field from an accredited college or university.
If only an undergraduate degree, a minimum 2.5 overall grade-point average based on a 4-point grading system.
If any graduate courses pursued, the grade-point average of all graduate work must be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 system.
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work with and through others.
Ability to function with minimum supervision.
Exemplify a positive attitude and a passion to improve the lives of others.
A personal automobile and appropriate insurance coverage.
Satisfactory completion of one specific graduate level extension course (3 credit hours) in year two or three of employment, prior to promotion eligibility to associate agent.
If a faculty member does not have a related master’s degree, completion of an additional 12 hours of related graduate level coursework is required for promotion to associate agent within the first seven years of employment (agent experience may be substituted for 12 hours of coursework, but not for the required course).

Nice To Haves

A registered dietician with community experience.
Experience in recruiting, training and supervising adults and volunteers.
Experience in teaching and applying principles of leadership development to both youth and adult audiences.
Knowledge of public relations.
Ability to cope with change.

Responsibilities

Deliver community-based nutrition education with a focus on healthy eating, physical activity, weight management, general health and wellness, and chronic disease prevention.
Conduct nutrition education programs throughout the year, primarily targeting Louisiana’s adult population, with youth programming offered as time and requests allow.
Lead efforts in planning, implementing, conducting, evaluating, and reporting interventions that involve food, nutrition, physical activity, and general health.
Participate in participant recruitment, community outreach, health expos, health fairs, and Ag Extension events.
Highlight NCH programs in the assigned parish(es) and distribute nutrition education through in-person sessions, print media, local public media, mass media, social media, and other communication platforms.
Work with diverse audiences and deliver education to groups with various learning styles.
Be aware of community, city/town, parish, and regional partnerships, resources, and contacts which can help support local and parish NCH programming.
Organize and maintain an advisory committee composed of local government officials, volunteers, health professionals, and community residents to identify and address local nutrition-related needs.
Commit to ongoing professional development, staying abreast of current trends in nutrition, and sharing evidence-based nutrition information related to specific program topics with the public.
Collaborate with other Extension faculty at parish, regional, and state levels.
May be assigned other tasks by supervisors.

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
Tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System
Travel allowance provided