Work Location: This position will serve as an area crawfish agent and manage crawfish facilities dedicated for demonstration and applied research at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station. Given the responsibilities and location of the state’s major crawfish production areas, the proposed location for this position is the Acadia Parish Extension Office located in Crowley, Louisiana. The Louisiana crawfish industry has grown to encompass over 300,000 acres with a farm gate value of nearly $300 million annually. Nearly all of the state’s crawfish production is located in the South Central and Southwestern portions of the state.

Position Description: This is a non-tenure track, agent level position (100% Extension ANR). The Agent will serve as a primary point of contact and provide educational programing focused on crawfish production. In addition, the agent will manage and coordinate the crawfish production ponds and facilities located at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station to carry out field demonstration trials and applied research on crawfish issues critical to crawfish production. The Agent will provide stakeholders with research-based information and educational opportunities through a variety of delivery methods including on-farm visits, area-wide demonstrations, workshops, field days, and other educational meetings. The agent will establish advisory committees 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 through a variety of avenues which could include newsletters, factsheets, social media postings, newspaper, and other popular press articles, and by contributing to the LSU AgCenter’s web page devoted to crawfish production. Involvement and participation with agriculturally based organizations and associations such as Farm Bureau is expected for the agent to become fully engaged in the agricultural community. 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. To attend and conduct training to meet the needs of the clientele, this position requires some overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends.

Qualification Requirements: A Master’s degree in wildlife and fisheries, animal science, environmental sciences, agronomy or a closely related field is required. A PhD degree in those fields and/or some experience in aquaculture production 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 GPA for graduate work. 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 is generally required in the first two years of employment.

Date Available: Upon completion of the selection process.

Application deadline: March 3, 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 letter of application, resume, official university transcripts, two letters of reference, and a statement describing how diversity would figure into your 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:

Toby Lepley, Regional Director
Southwest Region Office
1373 Caffey Road
Rayne, LA 70578
Email: tlepley@agcenter.lsu.edu
Phone: 337-788-7547; Fax 337-788-7553
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, 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. An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.