Work Location: The position will be domiciled at the Lafayette Parish Cooperative Service located in Lafayette, Louisiana and will have programing responsibilities in Vermilion and Lafayette Parishes.
Position Description: The Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (100% ANR) will engage stakeholders in the two-parish region with research-based educational information on horticulture (commercial and consumer). The agent will establish advisory committees for horticulture and other related focus areas to identify clientele needs, develop extension programming, implement a system of program evaluation, and report program accomplishments and impacts annually. The Agent will provide stakeholders with research-based information and educational opportunities in horticulture through a variety of delivery methods including on-farm visits, area-wide demonstrations, workshops, field days, school/community gardens and other educational meetings. Commercial and consumer horticultural practices will include demonstration gardens (community/schools), commercial vegetable demonstrations/field days, home gardens and grounds, fruits, and other horticultural programs. The Agent will maximize the use of media (including social media) to disseminate LSU AgCenter recommendations and research-based information, will contribute educational information on parish websites and assist in pesticide re-certification trainings. The agent will provide leadership; serve as an advisor; and coordinate outreach efforts of the Lafayette Master Gardener program. Involvement with agricultural associations, such as parish Farm Bureau, farmer’s markets and garden groups will be necessary. 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 parish chair and regional director. 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 horticulture, agricultural education, agricultural/environmental science, biological sciences, or closely related areas is required. A Master's degree in a field listed above is 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, if any, or master’s degree with an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0 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. Experience in recruiting, training and supervising volunteers and experience in teaching and applying principles of leadership development are desired. Knowledge of public relations and media experience 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 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 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 interview process.
Application Deadline: December 20, 2025 or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Application Procedure: Apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (or through Workday for internal applicants) by attaching a cover letter with resume including a statement of professional interest and goals, university transcripts, and two letters of reference. 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:
Kathryn Fontenot, Regional Director
Southwest Region Office
1373 Caffey Road
Rayne, LA 70578
Email: kkfontenot@agcenter.lsu.edu
Phone: 225-235-9968; 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, 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.
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.
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.
Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU AgCenter Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-2258 or emailed HRMHelp@agcenter.lsu.edu.