Work Location: This position will be domiciled at the Union Parish Extension Office, Farmerville, LA, and will serve the twelve parishes of the Northeast Region. There are approximately 1250 cattle producers in the region with over 40,000 acres of forage. Agricultural commodities in Union parish include forages, beef cattle, and horticultural crops.

Position Description: This is a non-tenure track, agent level position (100% Extension ANR) with responsibilities for animal and forage commodities in assigned parishes. The agent will provide the livestock sector in the twelve-parish region with research-based information and educational opportunities on livestock and forage production through a variety of delivery methods including on-farm visits, area-wide demonstrations, workshops, field days, and other educational meetings. The agent will provide leadership to the district livestock and horse shows. The agent will establish advisory committees for livestock to identify clientele needs, develop extension programming, implement a system of program evaluation, and report program accomplishments and impacts annually. The agent will disseminate LSU AgCenter recommendations, contribute to the web page and parish profile of assigned parishes, and provide pesticide re-certification training in Union and Ouachita parishes. Involvement and participation with parish-based agricultural associations such as Farm Bureau and Cattlemen’s Association and other commodity-based organizations will be necessary for the agent to become fully engaged in the agricultural community. In addition, the agent will be expected to become familiar with other major commodities in the domicile parish and work with and support other agents assigned to that parish for those commodities. As an Extension employee, the agent must be willing to continue professional development and remain current with agriculture and natural resources research and its application to programming. The incumbent is expected to be an effective team player, work cooperatively with other Extension faculty at the parish, region and state levels and perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s). The agent will work under the administrative supervision and direction of the regional director with input from the parish chairs in the region. In order to attend and conduct training to meet the needs of clientele, this position requires some overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends.

Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in animal science, agronomy, plant sciences, environmental sciences, or a closely related field is required. A Master’s degree in those fields and/or some experience in animal agriculture production is desirable. 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. Candidate must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. Experience in planning and executing educational programs and working cooperatively with individuals and groups is desired. Knowledge of public relations and the ability to cope with change are highly desirable characteristics. Ability to work with and through others is essential as is the ability to function with minimum supervision.

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with education 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. A cell phone is required. Satisfactory completion of two specific graduate level extension courses (6 credit hours) generally required in the first two years of employment. Additionally, a faculty member who does not have a related master’s degree must complete an additional 9 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. An exception is that additional agent experience may be substituted for nine hours of coursework, but not for the two required courses.

Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process.

Application Deadline: July 28, 2023, or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Application Procedure: Apply online at LSU AgCenter Careers (or through Workday for internal applicants) by attaching a single PDF file containing a letter of application, curriculum vita, official university transcripts, three letters of reference and a statement describing how diversity would figure into your teaching, research, or extension activities. Paper, faxed or e-mailed application materials will not be accepted, except that in lieu of attaching the reference letters online, they may be sent directly to:

Dr. Melissa Cater
212-B Macon Ridge Road
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center
Winnsboro, LA 71295
Tel.: (318) 435-2903; Fax: (318) 435-2902
Email: mcater@agcenter.lsu.edu
Web site: AgCenter website

The LSU Agricultural Center is a statewide campus of the LSU System and provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.