Work Location: The primary area served by this position is St. Mary and surrounding parishes. This region supports commercial fishing firms, aquaculture businesses, ecotourism, and more than 1100 square miles of land and water, most of which is privately owned. The (Assistant/Associate/Full) Area Agent’s office domicile will be located at the St. Mary Parish Extension Office in Franklin, Louisiana.

Position Description: This is a non-tenure track, agent level position (100% Extension) in the Marine Extension Project (MEP), a joint program of LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant College Program. The (Assistant/Associate/Full) Area Agent position will have primary responsibility to plan, execute and evaluate a multidisciplinary educational program for residents, local officials, natural resource users, private landowners and coastal marine-related businesses in the region. The primary focus will be on strategies for sustainable economic development and management on the region’s fisheries, wetlands, water, and other natural resources. Additionally, education programming focus will include community resilience related to domestic and international trade, environmental change, wetland loss, and storm surge threats.

The educational program will be achieved using resources of the MEP network, collaborating with public and private sector leaders, resource management agencies, non-governmental organizations, and individuals. Examples of partners, groups and organizations include but are not limited to: Parish governments, municipal planners and authorities, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service, and commercial and recreational fishing organizations. The (Assistant/Associate/Full) Area Agent will establish an advisory committee(s) that will help formulate and evaluate annual plans of work that aim to help residents and elected officials make more informed decisions regarding the future direction of their parishes, particularly those decisions that affect development in unincorporated areas and smaller municipalities.

The needs of the (Assistant/Associate/Full) Area Agent’s clientele will be met using several methods, including but not limited to: personal contact, workshops and conferences, web-based content and communications, mass media communication, publications and fact sheets, public presentations, membership and local and regional advisory committees and task forces. Professional writing is an expected component of the incumbent’s annual duties.

Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in a field related to natural resource management, fisheries, wildlife, or biology is required. Examples include natural resource management, marine science, biological science, or environmental science and related fields. Some experience in applied research, data collection, user group participation, and applied resource management is also desired. 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. 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. 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). Satisfactory completion of one specific graduate level extension courses (3 credit hours) is required in year two or three of employment, prior to promotion eligibility to associate agent. Additionally, a faculty member who does not have a related master’s degree must complete an additional 12 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 12 hours of coursework, but not for the required course.

Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process.

Application Deadline: April 12, 2026 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:

Kathryn Fontenot, Regional Director, Southwest Region Office
1373 Caffey Road, Rayne, LA 70578
Email: kkfontenot@agcenter.lsu.edu
Phone: 337-788-7547 ; Fax 337-788-7553
Website:www.lsuagcenter.com

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, 110 LSU Union Square, 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.