(This is a partially grant-funded, non-tenure track position. Funding must be available for any continuation of appointment.)
80% Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and 20% Flavors of Health (FOH)
Work Location: The extension office is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The area to be served is East Baton Rouge Parish, which is in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with a population of approximately 226,000 residents.
Position Description: The incumbent will provide 80% effort as the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant/Associate Extension Agent with a focus on youth nutrition education. The selected applicant will train and support volunt eers’ role within the program. Emphasis will be placed on conducting an educational series focusing on nutrition and health utilizing various delivery modes such as school enrichment, after-school, and special interest programming delivered through nutrition education classes, workshops, method demonstrations and other teaching activities for outreach in group settings to target audiences.
Additionally, the selected candidate will spend time (20%) directing efforts focusing on nutrition, health, and wellness by planning, implementing, and evaluating educational workshops, series of lessons and other teaching activities for general audiences with the Flavors of Health (FOH) program.
The incumbent will work collaboratively with the EFNEP supervising agent and other FCS personnel on Healthy Communities projects in East Baton Rouge Parish designed to improve the nutrition and health of all community members using a model that is being replicated throughout the state. Additionally, the agent will assist with the organization of a community-based nutrition advisory council involving stakeholders, volunteers, community partners and health professionals to identify the most critical needs in the communities served as well as programs to address those needs. The agent will identify, recruit, and maintain relations with community partners for EFNEP in conjunction with the FOH program.
Coordination and collaboration with other LSU AgCenter Extension faculty and staff will be essential. The incumbent is expected to be computer literate. The incumbent will support community nutrition outreach for target populations within neighborhoods and communities. 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. 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 meet the needs of clientele and for professional development opportunities, this position requires occasional overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends. Additionally, the agent is expected to perform other tasks that may be as assigned by supervisor(s).
All efforts should be documented through an annual plan of work (POW) and report on accomplishment. For those being hired as an Assistant/Associate agent, the candidate will be expected to attain promotion per LSU AgCenter guidelines.
Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in community nutrition, human foods and nutrition, family and consumer sciences, dietetics or a closely related field from an accredited college or university is required. A master’s degree in nutrition or health promotion is preferred. 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 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.
Applicant must have knowledge of programming planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. Experience in recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, as well as experience in teaching and applying principles of leadership development to both adults and youth is also desired. Knowledge of public relations and the ability to cope with change are highly desirable characteristics. The ability to work with and through others in a multicultural setting is essential, as is the ability to function with minimal supervision. Successful candidates will exemplify a positive attitude and a passion to improve the lives of others
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). Satisfactory completion of two specific graduate level extension courses is generally required in the first two years of employment. Additionally, a faculty member who does not have a related master’s degree must complete a minimum of 15 hours of related graduate level coursework, which includes the two graduate courses referenced above, in order to be promoted to associate agent and such promotion must occur in the first seven years of employment.
Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process.
Application Deadline: October 17, 2024 or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Application Procedure: Qualified candidates must apply online at LSU AgCenter Careers (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:
Sharman Charles
EFNEP Program Director/Instructor
School of Nutrition & Food Sciences
273 S. Knapp Hall
Baton Rouge, LA 70803-0106
(225) 578-1704 (office)
Email: sjcharles@agcenter.lsu.edu
Web site: AgCenter website
The Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and applications will be accepted without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability. Information on Equal Employment can be obtained from the EEO and Civil Rights Coordinator, 103 J. Norman Efferson Hall, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, LA 70803. Phone 225.578.2258. It is the policy of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service to employ only United States citizens or aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity Employer