Extension Associate (Local Food Systems Coordinator)

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Job Posting Title:

Extension Associate (Local Food Systems Coordinator)

   

Position Type:

Faculty

   

Department:

LSUAG PL4 - Northeast Region (Melissa D Cater (00002478))

   

Work Location:

Macon Ridge T.H. Scott Center

   

Pay Grade:

Other Academic

   

Job Description:

Work Location: The area to be served is the Northeast and Northwest Regions, with focus on Catahoula, Claiborne, East Carroll, Madison, Morehouse, and Tensas Parishes. 

Position Description: The local food systems coordinator will create and maintain a regional identity that promotes the local food system in the Northeast and Northwest region as part of a grant intended to increase healthy food access by addressing the food system and built environment. The coordinator will also increase community awareness through educational and promotional marketing, along with economic and community development. 
Candidate will be responsible for building partnerships with local food system stakeholders in the targeted parishes, including but not limited to local producers, economic development groups, food service directors, farmers market managers, parish (county) officials, food retailers and local businesses. In coordination with project team, the candidate will identify, map, and assess all local food system assets by creating a database of producers, institutional buyers, distribution points, and available infrastructure. Other responsibilities include: connecting with wholesale buyers (institutions, restaurants, and distributors); assisting in development and coordination of area farmers markets to share resources; initiating/ participating in the development of a aggregation or distribution infrastructure, or food hub; facilitating, providing or marketing educational programs and/ or workshops for farmers (i.e. GAP certification, Scaling­up, marketing, as well as consumers, like local food bidding and procurement). This individual must be willing to maintain professional competence as an extension agent of the LSU AgCenter. The agent is expected to perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor(s). Coordination and collaboration with other LSU AgCenter Extension faculty and SU Ag Center staff will be essential. In order to attend and conduct programming to meet the needs of clientele, this position may require overnight travel and work on evenings and weekends. 

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. 

• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience. 

• Experience managing volunteers. 

• Experience working in multicultural settings and coursework/training on multicultural topics. 

Qualification Requirements: Bachelor's degree in agricultural related field and equivalent experience in relevant field preferred. Candidate should have strong communication skills, with the ability to interact with a wide range of people from different sectors. Interest and a knowledge of local food systems, such as farming, food distribution, marketing, nutrition and wellness, and food retail is desired. Ability to work with and through others is essential, as is the ability to function with minimum supervision. Successful candidates will exemplify a positive attitude and a passion to improve the lives of others. 

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 l