Work Location: 4-H Youth Development, LSU AgCenter, Baton Rouge, La.

The LSU Agricultural Center is seeking applicants for the full-time Department Head for 4-H Youth Development. This position is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and reports to the LSU Associate Vice-President and 4-H Program Leader.

The mission of the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development Program is to provide the youth of Louisiana a positive environment to learn, lead, and thrive within. Working collaborative with the school systems, parish governments, community, and volunteers the 4-H program strives to deliver high quality learning experiences throughout all the sixty-four parishes. The program promotes positive interactions with peers and adults through various educational opportunities, camps, events, contests, trainings, and age-appropriate experiences at the club, parish, region, and state levels.

As a member of the LSU AgCenter leadership, the 4-H Department Head provides state-wide leadership and management of 4-H program, faculty, and its volunteers. The 4-H Department Head administratively directs the strategies, resources, operations, and ensures the compliance of the state 4-H office and staff. In addition, this individual works collaborative with the Associate Vice-President, 4-H Program Leader, to budget and provide leadership of the state-wide camp and 4-H Foundation. As 4-H Department Head, this individual serves as the liaison for building relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders.

General Information: 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 plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through 4-H youth, family and consumer sciences and community development programs. The AgCenter has 12 “on campus” academic departments and five regions which are made up of 17 branch research stations and 64 parish extension offices. To learn more, go to www.lsuagcenter.com.

Administratively aligned with the AgCenter is the LSU A&M campus’ College of Agriculture which oversees the teaching function. Many AgCenter faculty hold joint appointments with the College of Agriculture so coordination is important. LSU represents the largest institution of higher education in the state and is the only public university in the state to be designated a Carnegie R1 Doctoral University with very high research activity. Among a handful of distinguished universities to enjoy Land, Sea, and Space Grant status, LSU offers vital research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students as it transforms new technology into enterprise and lends expertise to solve endemic problems.

Job Description: The candidate will provide daily management and oversight for the state 4-H office staff professionals and support staff.Additionally, the 4-H Department Head will work collaborative with the Associate Vice President, 4-H Program Leader in directing the educational efforts of the state-wide youth camp, Camp Grant Walker, and the resource development efforts of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation. The 4-H Department Head will achieve the following with regards to youth development educational efforts:

LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION - 50%

Programming

• Provide daily management and leadership for the LSU AgCenter 4-H Youth Development Program to grow the program and increase strategic outreach efforts to all Louisiana youth, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Expand the efforts of the program to be inclusive, creative, and accessible both through in-person and technology-based opportunities.
• Ensure educational resources are aligned with research-based positive youth development models as well as state educational standards.
• Perform annual assessments of current educational programs, explores areas of growth to define future program directions and legislative initiatives.
• Engage 4-H faculty, staff, agents, volunteers, youth, and stakeholders in appropriate program planning activities.
• Facilitate regular meetings and trainings of 4-H staff and agents for planning, training and staff development, networking, mentoring, on-going communications, and distribution for information.
• Ensure onboarding and ongoing training and professional development for 4-H youth agents and staff.

Equity, inclusivity, and diversity

• Provide leadership and direction on efforts to continue and increase diversity, inclusion, and the development of a supportive 4-H organizational and workplace and culture.
• Not only provides leadership to the implementation of trainings, but also participates in trainings related to diversity, inclusion, and opportunities.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure the safety and protection of youths who participate in 4-H educational programming, such as events, trips, and camps.
• Establishes, revises, and/or enforces policies related to the 4-H Youth Development Program
• Ensure volunteer screening process and program is complying with State of Louisiana laws and LSU System policies and guidelines.
• Ensure all LSU 4-H employees and volunteers know their responsibility as a mandatory reporter of child abuse and neglect, and their obligations.

Fiscal management and fundraising

• Serve as budgetary authority for the 4-H Program funds.
• Allocate resources strategically to fulfill the missions, goals, and values of the 4-H Program.
• Partner with the 4-H Foundation in fundraising and generating resources for the program.

Collaborative leadership and engagement

• Work collaboratively with the LSU AgCenter leadership, including the Program Leaders and Regional Directors to address statewide needs of the state and the 4-H Program.
• Foster collaboration across the College of Agriculture and with other LSU colleges/units to serve the needs of youth.
• Serve and actively participate on Extension Service leadership teams as assigned or applicable to promote the 4-H Program, other Extension youth development programs and the Extension Service.

PROGRAM OUTREACH – 20%

• Promote and advocate for the 4-H and youth development programs across the LSU System, State of Louisiana, and on a nationwide level.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships across educational systems including K-12, community colleges, and other institutions of higher education.
• Engage Deans, Department/School Heads/Directors, unit leaders, and others to create and maintain positive working relationships and mutually beneficial collaborations.
• Provide stakeholders with information related to accomplishments and impact of the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Work with the Louisiana 4-H Foundation and engage current and prospective donors as well as participate in regular meetings of the board of trustees.

SUPERVISION – 15%

• Supervise faculty and classified staff within the 4-H program administrative office.
• Serve as part of the supervisory team that on-boards, mentors, and evaluates 4-H employees.
• Conduct annual evaluations of 4-H state and regional staff members.
• Engage in on-going communication with Regional Directors to ensure that off-campus employees receive clear and consistent communication regarding 4-H program opportunities and expectations.

PARISH 4-H PROGRAMMING AND ACCOUNTABLILITY – 10%

• Ensure all individuals involved with 4-H understand their roles and responsibilities related to parish 4-H programs related to tracking and monitoring of financial reporting requirements; following the 4-H Financial Management Handbook; maintaining agreements between the LSU AgCenter and other organizations/entities.
• Ensure best practices are followed as well as the LSU AgCenter policies, standards, procedures, and rules.

INSTITUTIONAL REPRESENTATION AND SERVICE – 5%

Maintain active membership and participation in appropriate professional organizations.

Serve on Extension committees at state, regional, and national levels.

Serve on unit, department, college, and university committees.

Participate as a state 4-H program representative on regional and national committees, meetings, etc.

Encourage and contribute to a welcoming and respectful workplace culture.

Based on the qualifications of the candidate, the position does allow for the opportunity to be considered for adjunct faculty status to teach undergraduate and graduate level courses within the Agricultural and Extension and Evaluation.

Qualification Requirements: The successful candidate must have:

• Master’s degree in family and consumer science, education, post-secondary education, sociology, social anthropology, public administration, human resource management, agriculture, or other related fields required. An earned doctorate is preferred.
• Administrative experience in youth development or education is preferred.
• Proven leadership and outstanding communication skills to effectively interact with stakeholders and be a strong advocate for youth, the LSU AgCenter, and the 4-H Youth Development Program.
• Established reputation as a leader in Extension 4-H Youth Development, outreach, and/or engagement.
• Demonstrated experience with school and community-based youth development program that engages youth grades K-12.
• Proven experience with an ability to supervise faculty and staff within an education environment.
• Ability with managing organizational change.
• Understanding of the land-grant university system and the role of Cooperative Extension.

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. Current 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.

Application Deadline: March 15, 2021 or until a suitable candidate is identified.

Application Procedure: Qualified candidates must apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU by attaching the following documents:

Cover letter addressing the intent of the application and the addressing each required qualification.

Letter of application stating the intent of your application and the position you are applying for.

Curriculum vitae/resume.

Transcripts from all college/university degrees

Names of at least three (3) professional references, their address, email address, phone number(s) and professional relation to the applicant.

Personal statement of your philosophy of the extension program and youth development.

Questions about the online system should be directed to the HRM Office at 225/578-2258. (Paper, faxed, or emailed application materials will not be accepted.) For more information, contact:

Mrs. Karen Martin, Search Committee Chair

LSU Agricultural Center

11959 Highway 9

Homer, LA 71040

Telephone: 318.278.7329

Email: KMartin@agcenter.lsu.edu

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