Assistant​/Associate Extension Agent; Fisheries​/Coastal Resources

Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (Fisheries/Coastal Resources)

Position Type:
Faculty

Department: LSUAG PL4 - Southeast Region (Albert Joseph Orgeron ))

Work Location:

0101 St. Tammany Parish Extension Office

Pay Grade:
Academic

Job Description:

The primary area served by this position is St. Tammany and Tangipahoa parishes, comprising more than 1.2 million acres of land and water, most of which is privately owned. The region borders the Northshore of Lake Pontchartrain, one of the largest estuarine water bodies in North America. Over the past 50 years, coastal communities in this region have experienced a 400% increase in population, with most of that growth occurring during the past two decades.

The agent's primary focus will involve developing non-advocacy-based outreach addressing the impacts of, and mitigation strategies associated with, rapid community and economic development affecting the region's water resources, wetlands, fisheries, and other natural resources. The (Assistant/Associate/Full) Area Agent's office domicile will be located at the St. Tammany Parish Extension Office in Covington, 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 two-parish region.

The primary focus will be on strategies for sustainable economic development and management on the region's commercial and recreational 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.

The applicant must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills. 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.

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…