Extension Associate (Physical Activity Coordinator)

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Job Posting Title:

Extension Associate (Physical Activity Coordinator)

   

Position Type:

Other Academic

   

Department:

LSUAG PL3 - SNFS - Nutrition and Food Science (Denise Marie Holston (00008612))

   

Work Location:

S. Knapp Hall

   

Pay Grade:

Other Academic

   

Job Description:

Work Location: LSU AgCenter School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Knapp Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Extension Associate’s office will be in Baton Rouge on the LSU campus. 

Position Description: Healthy Communities is an LSU AgCenter initiative that makes Louisiana towns healthier places to live, work, learn, pray, and play. The LSU AgCenter SNAP-Ed Program uses research-based approaches to make healthy diet and lifestyle choices easier for SNAP recipients and other low-income audiences in 40 parishes across the state. Local LSU AgCenter SNAP-Ed staff offer interactive lessons, community-based programs, and health-focused coalitions and workgroups. Through these efforts, they teach citizens throughout the state how to eat healthy, stay physically active, and manage food dollars. With funding from the CDC’s High Obesity Program (HOP), the LSU Healthy Communities team works with community partners and residents in 10 parishes to prioritize key issues and develop solutions. These efforts help build local capacity to make healthy food and outdoor physical activity safe, accessible, and enjoyable for everyone.

The Physical Activity Coordinator will provide leadership, support, and technical expertise in physical activity educational outreach, promotion, and policy, systems, and environmental change strategies (PSEs) within SNAP-Ed and HOP communities. The Physical Activity Coordinator will:

• Serve as the primary resource and liaison for all physical activity-related strategies, interventions, and outreach for both SNAP-Ed and HOP.
• Provide training and implementation support for physical activity outreach to field and paraprofessional staff, including:
  • Conducting needs assessment to inform training and programmatic needs of field faculty and staff.
  • Engaging with field staff and communities to understand local needs and challenges related to physical activity and activity-friendly community design.
  • Based on assessments, developing training, technical support, and educational materials in various formats for a variety of audiences.
  • Collaborating with state and field staff to identify needs and address barriers to implementing parish-level physical activity strategies.
  • Providing annual and needs-based training to field staff to support physical activity programs and PSE changes.
• Travel regularly to target parishes for outreach events, technical support, training sessions, and needs assessments.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to enhance expertise in physical activity that will help address SNAP-Ed and HOP program priorities.

The Physical Activity Coordinator must be willing to maintain professional competence as a staff member of the LSU AgCenter.  Coordination and collaboration with other LSU AgCenter Extension faculty and staff will be essential. This position requires overnight travel and some work in the evenings and on weekends. This position is expected to perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor as necessary for the grant funds.   

Qualification Requirements: Bachelor's degree in kinesiology, public health, health promotion, health education or related degree. Master's degree preferred. Degree may be in different areas, but candidate should have prior experience with and a broad understanding of Cooperative Extension and/or multi-level obesity or chronic disease prevention programs. Demonstrates effective use of technology.  Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in written form with a variety of audiences is required. This applicant must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.  Ability to cope with change are highly desirable characteristics. Ability to work with and through others is essential. Successful candidates will exemplify a positive attitude and a passion to improve the lives of others.

LSU and the AgCenter are dedicated to fostering an environment where our employees feel appreciated for their skills and individual qualifications. If a candidate does not meet the minimum qua