Position # 0001-4855
Requisition # 519136
Classification Title: Extension Agent II, III, or IV and County Extension Director (CED)
Application deadline: 15 December 2021
Application link: https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/519136
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.
If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352-392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF .
The Univ. of Florida (UF) is a Land Grant institution with core values of unique purpose, excellence, integrity, collaboration and partnership, lifelong learning, diversity, responsiveness, innovation, communication, and global reach. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. IFAS Extension employs 375 Extension Agents and has an office in each of Florida’s 67 counties.
We hire the best. Diverse views and experience make us strong. We look for candidates with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, innovate in a rapidly-changing world, and believe in inclusion. Working for Florida Cooperative Extension will allow you to make a positive impact in your community as you help shape future generations, growing your career while earning a competitive salary and great benefits.
As an Extension Agent and County Extension Director (CED), you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Wakulla County, a growing area in the Florida panhandle. We are looking for an individual that is a self-starting, energetic, and team-oriented leader. As the Agent, your extension programming will cover agriculture and natural resources (ANR) with an emphasis on horticulture. The ANR role has four focus areas: 1) lifestyle horticulture (including Master Gardener training in Wakulla and Franklin counties); 2) agriculture (mostly small farms); 3) inland and coastal natural resources; and 4) community resource development. In addition, at least 5% of your time will be devoted to 4-H Youth Development.
As the CED, you will lead, manage, supervise, coordinate, and report on the total Wakulla County extension program (three Agents including yourself). You will demonstrate excellent customer service and you will respond to client needs in a timely and professional manner. Your office will be located at the Wakulla County Extension Office in Crawfordville.
What you will do:
• Maintain, foster, and build effective working relationships with county government, community leaders, private sector clientele, media, other government agencies, the general public, and UF/IFAS faculty, staff, and extension administration.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate county faculty, program assistants, and staff with programs in agriculture, commercial and residential horticulture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and community development and sustainability.
• Manage the business side of the Extension Office, including financial and compliance issues.
• Work in the role of an Educational first responder for county and university functions during natural disasters.
• Develop and following a strategic plan focused on marketing Extension’s success.
• Maintain an overall advisory committee that reflects county demographics and effectively advocates for Cooperative Extension within the community.
• Plan, develop, teach, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive and diverse ANR educational program that meets the needs of the diverse population in Wakulla County and the Northwest Extension District.
• Work to increase the use of virtual program delivery and social media use to a minimum of 25% of program delivery.
• Use resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovation to strengthen current educational programs.
• Determine program responsibilities locally through needs assessments.
• Maintain an effective program advisory committee with appropriate community representation.
• Use computer technology and social media for communication, teaching, and program management.
• Seek and obtain financial resources to support your extension programs and the office as CED.
• Adhere to all Univ. of Florida and Wakulla County government policies and procedures and provide leadership for management of all program components.
• Write an annual plan of work and report of accomplishment.
• Occasionally assume other responsibilities that benefit the total county extension program as assigned by the District Extension Director.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate county faculty, program assistants, and staff with programs in agriculture, commercial and residential horticulture, family and consumer sciences, 4-H youth development, and community development and sustainability.
• Manage the business side of the Extension Office, including financial and compliance issues.
• Work in the role of an Educational first responder for county and university functions during natural disasters.
• Develop and following a strategic plan focused on marketing Extension’s success.
• Maintain an overall advisory committee that reflects county demographics and effectively advocates for Cooperative Extension within the community.
• Plan, develop, teach, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive and diverse ANR educational program that meets the needs of the diverse population in Wakulla County and the Northwest Extension District.
• Work to increase the use of virtual program delivery and social media use to a minimum of 25% of program delivery.
• Use resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovation to strengthen current educational programs.
• Determine program responsibilities locally through needs assessments.
• Maintain an effective program advisory committee with appropriate community representation.
• Use computer technology and social media for communication, teaching, and program management.
• Seek and obtain financial resources to support your extension programs and the office as CED.
• Adhere to all Univ. of Florida and Wakulla County government policies and procedures and provide leadership for management of all program components.
• Write an annual plan of work and report of accomplishment.
• Occasionally assume other responsibilities that benefit the total county extension program as assigned by the District Extension Director.
What you will bring (required):
• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in horticulture, agricultural extension and communication, or a closely related field.
• At least 5 years of professional extension experience or equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to customer service.
• Ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license.
• Flexibility with working hours; willingness to occasionally work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and overnight travel.
• At least 5 years of professional extension experience or equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to customer service.
• Ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license.
• Flexibility with working hours; willingness to occasionally work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and overnight travel.
What you will bring (preferred):
• Previous CED experience or equivalent.
• Experience in office operations, budgeting, and grant management.
• A strong commitment to education and leadership in county-level initiatives.
• Experience in office operations, budgeting, and grant management.
• A strong commitment to education and leadership in county-level initiatives.
• Practical experience in extension education as well as working with diverse groups.
• Technological literacy necessary for communication and program management functions.
• Outstanding people management skills (coach, mentor, motivator, etc.).
• Leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity working in political settings.
• Experience creating a vision and getting buy-in from others.
• Evidence of exceptional collaborations, partnerships, and marketing with diverse audiences including minority groups, community leaders, agencies, media, and the general public.
Further information:
Employment is contingent on the results of a national background screening.
The extension faculty in Wakulla County share expertise with Franklin and Gulf Counties. In addition to the CED position, Wakulla County Extension has a full-time Family and Consumer Science Agent, a 4-H Youth Development Agent, and 2 support staff for programming and secretarial support. Wakulla County is a fast-growing coastal rural community of 32,461 people in 13,702 households in northwest Florida. Its public schools are A rated by the Florida Department of Education. There are 209 farms with an average of 113 acres, with a median farm size of 22 acres.
Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. As such, all partners are involved in the supervision of the office and contribute to the salary and support resources. The primary goal of Extension is to disseminate the latest knowledge and applicable technologies in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences in order to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. The UF/IFAS mission is accomplished through Extension faculty members, scientists, educators, administrative staff, and volunteers working cohesively throughout Florida’s 67 counties.
Candidates will be reviewed as applications are received, but please be aware that interviews might not be scheduled until 4 to 6 weeks after the position closing date. Are you a good match? Apply today!
Apply at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/519136 by 11:55 p.m. (Eastern) of the posting end date, and attach:
• Cover letter that describes how your experience and qualifications have prepared you for this position
• Résumé or Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial copies of all transcripts (showing coursework) of your academic degrees
The following documents are also required and may either be submitted through the above link at the time of application, or sent separately to our office (below).
• Current and Previous Employment Form (located at https://hr.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/form-index/current-and-previous-employment-form/ ).
• A minimum of 3 reference rating forms (located at http://hr.ifas.ufl.edu/assets/pdf/forms/ref_form.pdf ) from your professional/academic references. Reference forms will be kept on file for 1 year and will be automatically used with any of our extension agent positions you apply for during that time. Applicants are responsible for sending the rating form link to their references.
Reference rating forms and unofficial transcripts not submitted at the time of application should be submitted/postmarked by the next business day after the position’s closing date. They may be submitted to:
UF IFAS Human Resources
Faculty Recruitment and Hiring
P O Box 110281
Gainesville, FL 32611-0281
ifasrecruitment@ifas.ufl.edu
Fax: (352) 392-3226
Final candidate will be required to provide official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.
The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.