Work Location: This LSU AgCenter Extension Nutrition Agent position will serve the communities of Jefferson Parish, an area with approximately 425,884 residents. This position is domiciled in Harahan, LA.

Position Description: The Assistant/Associate Extension Area Nutrition Agent will work under the supervision and direction of the Parish Chair, Regional Director, FCS regional coordinator, and FCS state office staff. This nutrition agent will be part of the statewide, community focused, Flavors of Health nutrition program, and will use science-based information and evidence-based practices to reach, guide, and motivate community members to make healthier food and fitness choices. This will involve the communication of food, nutrition, health, and wellness information, to enhance related knowledge, skills, and behavioral changes. The Flavor of Health agent facilitates promotion of healthier lifestyles to help manage or prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

The agent will develop and maintain a work plan based on current Flavors of Health nutrition program agent expectations. This will include recruitment for and implementation of core program curricula; preparation of nutrition education materials/communications/activities that target local needs or requests; facilitation of a community advisory committee to provide programmatic direction and strengthen local programming efforts; collaboration with a variety of community agencies and organizations. The agent will also use mass media and social media to convey science-based food/nutrition information. All nutrition agents also participate in Louisiana’s Healthy Communities program. As such, the Flavors of Health agent will also be tasked with organizing a coalition consisting of community members, stakeholders and partners to determine and implement policy, systems, and environmental changes recognized and prioritized by community members.

As an Extension employee, the agent is expected to work collaboratively with other LSU AgCenter and SU AgCenter Extension agents, faculty, and/or staff; to maintain professional competence and continue professional development; to perform other/additional tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s).

What You Will Do:

• Work jointly with other staff members (parish, region, and state) on programs in nutrition.
• Organize advisory committees involving community leaders and volunteers to provide programmatic direction to strengthen nutrition programs.
• Conduct educational workshops, method demonstrations and other teaching activities for adults, youth, and volunteers in the area nutrition and building healthier communities.
• Encourage and support health equity programming and systems for youth as resources are available.
• Perform other tasks that may be assigned by supervisor(s) and work cooperatively with other Extension faculty at the parish, region, and state levels.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Organizational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to use social media in a variety of formats.
• Comfort presenting in front of small and large crowds.
• Experience establishing strong partnerships.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Be willing to continue professional development.
• Innovative style of audience engagement and development
• Demonstrated skills in partnership development and project management.
• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience.
• Experience working in multicultural settings and coursework/training on multicultural topics.

Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in dietetics, nutrition, family and consumer sciences, human ecology, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university is required. A Degree in other fields that relate to the duties of the position may be considered if combined with directly related experience. A registered dietician with community experience is preferred. Persons with only an undergraduate degree must have a minimum 2.5 overall grade-point average based on a 4-point grading system. If the applicant has pursued any graduate courses, the grade-point average of all graduate work must be at least 3.0 on a 4.0 system. The applicant must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. Experience in recruiting, teaching, and applying principles of leadership development to both youth and adult audiences 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 is essential, as is the ability to function with minimum supervision. The successful candidate will exemplify a positive attitude and a passion to improve the lives of others. Some overnight, weekend and evening work may be required. Knowledge of public relations and the ability to cope with change are highly desirable characteristics.

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 (6 credit hours) 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 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: September 30, 2023 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, two letters of reference and a statement describing how diversity would figure into your teaching, research, or extension activities. 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:

Dr. Chiquita Briley
Southeast Regional Director
LSU AgCenter
21549 Old Covington Highway
Hammond, LA. 70403
Email: cbriley@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/Affirmative Action Employer.