About this Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (Community Development role at Louisiana State University
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Job Posting Title:
Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (Community Development
Position Type:
Faculty
Department:
LSUAG Chancellor - LCES Director (Tara Parker Smith (00007941))
Work Location:
0101 Efferson Hall (LSU Ag Center)
Pay Grade:
Academic
Job Description:
Work Location: To be determined – two positions available. Each position will cover two – three programmatic regions in the state. Exact domicile to be determined upon hire.
Position Description: The successful candidate will work with Extension agents across Louisiana to support community engagement, capacity building, and local economic development initiatives. Responsibilities include helping communities identify and pursue state, federal, private, and philanthropic funding opportunities; providing technical assistance related to community and economic development, community resilience, strategic planning, and related topics; and assisting communities in implementing development initiatives that strengthen long-term economic stability.
The Assistant/Associate Extension Agent will provide leadership for community and economic development programming in assigned regions through the LSU AgCenter Cooperative Extension Service. Responsibilities include planning, implementing, evaluating, and reporting outcomes of educational programs; delivering training for Extension personnel, community leaders, and stakeholders; presenting at conferences; and developing outreach and communication materials.
The successful candidate will cultivate strong partnerships with community leaders, elected officials, agency representatives, business and industry leaders, and other stakeholders to advance local and regional development efforts. They will support communities through needs assessments, surveys, strategic planning, business retention and expansion activities, entrepreneurship education, and other community development initiatives.
The position requires collaboration with multidisciplinary Extension and research teams to help communities make informed decisions that promote economic growth and resilience. The successful candidate will also be expected to secure external funding and develop sustainable partnerships to support program expansion and long-term impact.
The Assistant/Associate Extension Agent will work under the supervision of the Regional Director in the domicile region.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Demonstrated 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 solid partnerships.
- Highly self-motivated.
- Innovative audience engagement and development.
- Demonstrated skills in partnership development and project management.
Qualification Requirements: A baccalaureate degree in extension education, education, agricultural economics, agricultural sciences, economic development, sociology, public administration, public planning, community nutrition, public health, family and consumer sciences, or closely related field from an accredited college or university is required. 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. A master’s degree in a field listed above is desired. Experience in recruiting, training and supervising volunteers and experience in teaching and applying principles of leadership development to both youth and adults is also 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 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 course (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: December 4, 2026 or until a suitable candidate is identified.
Application Procedure: Qualified candidates must apply online at https://lsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/LSU (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:
Dr. Tara Smith, Extension Director
101 Efferson Hall
Baton Rouge, LA
Email: tsmith@agcenter.lsu.edu
Phone: 318-557-9501
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.
Additional Job Description:
Competencies:
NoneSpecial Instructions:
Skills Needed:
Preferred Skills:
Posting Date:
November 4, 2026
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):
Additional Position Information:
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.
Essential Position (Y/N):
About the LSU Agricultural Center:
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.
The LSU Agricultural Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
HCM Contact Information:
Questions or concerns can be directed to the LSU AgCenter Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-2258 or emailed HRMHelp@agcenter.lsu.edu.
