Extension Associate (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education)

The Extension Associate position at Louisiana State University Agricultural Center involves supporting sustainable agriculture programming in Louisiana. The role requires working 20 hours a week on-site in Baton Rouge, assisting with trainings, workshops, and communication efforts for the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program. A Bachelor's degree in agriculture or related fields is required, along with experience in agriculture or horticulture.
All Job Postings will close at 12:01a.m. CST (1:01a.m. EST) on the specified Closing Date (if designated). If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application progress will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through “My Draft Applications” located on your Candidate Home page. Job Posting Title: Extension Associate (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education) Position Type: Other Academic Department: LSUAG PL1 - SPESS - Plant Environmental and Soil Sciences (Carl E Motsenbocker (00012658)) Work Location: 0228 Julian C. Miller (Horticulture) Pay Grade: Professional Hourly Job Description: Work Location: The employee will be located in Baton Rouge on the LSU campus and will serve stakeholders throughout the state. This is a grant funded half-time position allocated to the USDA funded Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program (SARE PDP). Employee will be required to work in the office 20 hours a week. Position Description: The Program Assistant will report administratively to the Louisiana Program Co-State Coordinators of the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Professional Development Program (SARE PDP). The successful candidate will support sustainable agriculture programming at the state level under the direction of the Co-State Coordinators. The program assistant will assist both state coordinators in carrying out various aspects of the SARE PDP including assisting with field days, training sessions, and workshops and also promotion of SARE programs, resources, and grant opportunities. The program assistant will coordinate travel to regional conferences. The assistant will manage the sustainable agriculture listserve/database and website and will facilitate communication and networking and maintain communication to county agents and other agriculture professionals, other universities, farm organizations, and NGO’s etc. that support sustainable agriculture activities in Louisiana. The incumbent is expected to perform other tasks at the state level that may be assigned by supervisor(s). Principal Job Duties: 1. Louisiana SARE Trainings/Workshops a. At least two trainings a year, one spring, one fall, with possibilities for others throughout the year (event planning). 2. SARE Travel a. Create a travel budget to bring County Agents, Mentor Farmers, and other various Ag Professionals to regional conferences such as Georgia Organics, Carolina Stewardship (CFSA), SOWTH, etc... b. Coordinate lodging, transportation, and reimbursement for participants 3. Annual SARE PDP Grants/Reports a. completing annual PDP grant proposals (January) and reports (June) 4. SARE Media a. LA SARE Webpage b. LA SARE Facebook Page c. LA SARE Listserv 5. Promotion/Distribution of SARE Grants, books, resources, and trainings as well as trainings offered by other organizations a. Distribute SARE books/resources b. Post about opportunities from SARE as well as events from other regional/state partners Qualification Requirements: A Bachelor's of Science degree is required, preferably in agriculture, earth, or environmental sciences. Experience in the field of agriculture and horticulture is desirable along with previous experience writing, applying for and administering grants. Prior experience working with sustainable agriculture extension programs is preferred. The applicant must demonstrate effective oral and written communication, as well as networking skills. Ability to work with and through others is essential as well as the ability to function with minimal supervision. Established communication with Louisiana producer, distributor, and consumer associations for the purpose of future projects and programs is highly favored. Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include 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, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment. Conditions of Employment: A personal automobile and appropriate insurance coverage is required (travel allowance provided). Some work on evenings and weekends should be expected. Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process Application Deadline: December 31, 2024 or until a suitable candidate is identified Application Procedure: Qualified candidates must apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (or through Workday for internal applicants) by attaching file(s) containing a curriculum vita, a letter of application, official university transcripts, and two letters of reference. Questions about the online application system should be directed to the HRM Office at 225/578-0324. (Paper, faxed, or emailed application materials will not be accepted.) In lieu of attaching the letters of reference, they may be sent directly to: Carl E. Motsenbocker, PhD Professor of Horticulture Local Food Systems and Sustainable Agriculture 239 Julian Miller Hall Baton Rouge, LA. 70803 Email: cmotsenbocker@agcenter.lsu.edu Phone: (225) 578-1036 Web site: www.lsuagcenter.com The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer. Additional Job Description: Competencies: None Special Instructions: Posting Date: December 17, 2024 Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): Additional Position Information: Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check. Benefits - The LSU AgCenter has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include 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 childcare and medical expenses), university holidays (14 per year), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits, Employee Assistance Program, and possible educational leave and tuition exemption for coursework at campuses of the LSU System. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment. Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement. Essential Position (Y/N): About the LSU Agricultural Center: The LSU AgCenter, is one of eight campuses within the broader LSU enterprise (LSU System). The LSU AgCenter includes the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, which conducts agricultural-based research, and the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service, which extends the knowledge derived from research to the people of the state. The AgCenter is headquartered in Baton Rouge and has 12 “on campus” academic departments and five regions which are made up of 15 branch research stations and an extension office in each parish. For more information, visit the AgCenter’s website at www.lsuagcenter.com. The LSU Agricultural Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and SAME Agency: The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. The AgCenter is committed to fostering an environment of inclusion, respect, and appreciation of differences in individuals. The AgCenter is also designated as a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency and provides assistance to persons needing accommodations or with the accessibility of materials. HCM Contact Information: Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU AgCenter Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-2258 or emailed HRMHelp@agcenter.lsu.edu. LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide-range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land-, sea- and space-grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher-scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world-class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.