Assistant​/Associate Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development

Assistant/Associate Extension Agent (4-H Youth Development)

Work Location: The Extension office is physically located in New Orleans, Louisiana serving Orleans Parish. Orleans Parish has approximately 391,495 residents of which 46,000 are youth. The 4‑H Youth Development Program aims to increase youth leadership development and community service learning, strengthen the partnership between 4‑H and formal education, and expand volunteer involvement to increase contact hours per youth.

Position

Description:

The LSU AgCenter seeks Applicants who can contribute to this environment through scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. The Orleans Parish Office requires a 4‑H Agent to lead parish‑wide 4‑H youth development, build relationships with volunteers, the 4‑H Advisory Committee, community organizations, and LSU AgCenter peers. Leadership is required for adult volunteer system development and youth‑focused life‑skills education. Collaboration with agencies and organizations to support agriculture and families is essential.

Additional Faculty Responsibilities: Assist or lead cooperative projects, serve schools beyond 4‑H programming, develop creative works for programming, write scholarly publications, and participate in professional associations and LSU AgCenter service activities. Document efforts in an annual plan of work and a report of accomplishment.

• Plan, develop, teach, evaluate, and report on youth educational programs meeting the needs of Orleans Parish’s diverse population, in coordination with the Orleans Parish 4‑H Program and Louisiana 4‑H Youth Development strategy.
• Deliver youth development programming through 4‑H community clubs, special interest clubs/groups, school enrichment, day camps, after‑school programs, and other events, emphasizing leadership, community service, and workforce development.
• Coordinate youth and volunteer involvement in multi‑parish, state, regional, and national 4‑H programs and events.
• Build and lead a strong volunteer base through recruitment, screening, training, and management, including competency building using state and national 4‑H research‑based methods.
• Teach and equip volunteers in educational methods to support 4‑H member projects in STEM, animal sciences, environmental education, robotics, agriculture, arts, entrepreneurship, career development, leadership, nutrition, healthy living, and citizenship.
• Identify volunteer opportunities for management and leadership roles; recruit, train, and deploy volunteers in those roles.
• Ensure the volunteer screening process is implemented and up to date and oversee all aspects of 4‑H program risk management as directed by Louisiana 4‑H Headquarters and local policies.
• Develop program delivery strategies that include virtual platforms; employ up to 25% virtual programming as appropriate.
• Encourage and support health equity programming and systems for youth.
• Use a needs assessment to target programs focused on youth, reflecting the diverse population and unique educational needs.
• Collaborate to develop strategic partnerships with parish and governmental departments, local businesses, and social service agencies to provide innovative educational opportunities for positive youth development.
• Use resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovation to strengthen educational programs, review and implement new policies, maintain enrollments and records, assess risks, communicate effectively across social media platforms, manage finances, and create educational materials.
• Seek and manage financial resources to support 4‑H programming and ensure all financial policies are followed as instructed by LSU AgCenter and 4‑H Foundation guidelines.
• Follow all LSU AgCenter policies and best practices regarding affirmative action, program development, program evaluation, and reporting.
• Develop and implement a communication plan for 4‑H program participants, families, volunteers, and stakeholders using effective contemporary approaches, including current social media.
• Write content for various media sources (newspapers, radio, newsletters, web, social media) to promote programs, report on programs, and…