Job Description:

You Belong at a University that’s Leading the Way

The University of Florida (UF), the flagship university for the state of Florida, is a land grant institution with core values of unique purpose, excellence, integrity, collaboration and partnership, lifelong learning, responsiveness, innovation, communication, and global reach.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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 Opportunity

The Florida Cooperative Extension Service is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments. County Extension faculty provide high-quality, relevant, research-based expertise and education to foster healthy people, healthy environments, and healthy economies. We are the resource that helps educate Floridians to address issues related to agriculture, natural resources, youth development, families, and communities.  

We hire the best. Varied views and experiences make us strong. We look for people with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, innovate in a rapidly changing world, and believe in opportunity for all. 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 excellent benefits.

As an Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Flagler County, a growing area in east central Florida. We are looking for an individual who is self-starting, energetic, and team-oriented with skills in agriculture and natural resources. You will be responsible for developing, delivering, evaluating, and reporting on science-based education programs with an emphasis on commercial horticulture, and natural resources education.

All non-4-H Extension faculty members contribute 5% effort to the 4-H Youth Development program. Your office will be located at the County Extension Office in Bunnell.

Collaboration with extension agents in the Tri-County (Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns) Agricultural Area (TCAA) and the UF/IFAS Extension Specialists is expected.

What you will do:

• Design, deliver, and evaluate innovative educational programs supporting growers, producers, landowners, and landscape professionals in Flagler County.
• Design, implement, evaluate, and report on community-based educational programs focusing on agriculture and natural resources topics.
• Conduct pesticide training for farmers and landscape professionals.
• Collaborate with all Extension program areas (Horticulture, 4-H Youth Development, Sea Grant, and Family and Consumer Sciences) and volunteers on educational efforts that will facilitate positive management practices with significant and locally relevant impact.
• Manage program components including program policies, records, risk management, communication, and educational materials.
• Develop an advisory committee to assist with program design, identification of client needs and priority issues, analysis of county situations, and development of program budgets.
• Provide excellent customer service for the community through various communication modes including, but not limited to, telephone, email, online, social media, and face-to-face contact.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with community agencies and leaders, businesses, county government, media, and the public.
• Seek, secure, and manage grants, contracts, or other funding and partnership opportunities to support the agriculture and natural resources Extension program.
• Attend and contribute to professional meetings and in-service trainings, and actively seek out and attend professional development opportunities.
• Follow all county, UF, and IFAS Extension policies regarding Civil Rights.
• Carry out other duties as outlined by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director.

Further information:

This is not a remote work position.

UF/IFAS employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. UF/IFAS Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments with a mission to provide quality, relevant education, and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. We employ 375 Extension Agents and have an office in each of Florida’s 67 counties. We attribute our success to a workforce that embraces the contributions of people of all backgrounds and ability levels. The Extension Agent will contribute to a community that provides space for innovation, creativity, collaboration, growth, and development for all.

Employment is contingent on the results of a national background check and drug screening.

In the event of an emergency, all Flagler County employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties if applicable.

Candidates will be reviewed as applications are received, but please be aware that interviews might be scheduled at 4 to 6 weeks after the position closing date. Are you a good match? Apply today!

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

What you will bring (required):

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, agronomy, plant sciences, or a closely related field. We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned by December 2024.
• If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to advance your career by making at least 50% progress toward obtaining your master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment. A master’s degree and relevant work experience are required to be considered for an agent II appointment.
• A working knowledge of agriculture best management practices, including plant and pest identification and diagnostic skills, soils, irrigation, fertilizers, and vegetable and nursery crop production.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and balance diverse responsibilities. 
• A commitment to customer service and Extension for All guidelines.
• Ability to use computers, web delivery, and apply social media to your work. 
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide license within 6 months of hire.
• Ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license.
• Flexibility with working hours; willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Preferred Qualifications:

What you will bring (preferred):

• A master’s degree.
• Extension experience or equivalent.
• Experience using a variety of educational methods including technology-enhanced and technology-based instruction to reach a variety of audiences.
• Experience obtaining extramural funding.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Apply at Careers at UF 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
• A minimum of 3 reference rating forms from your professional/academic references. Applicants are responsible for sending the rating form link to their 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.

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

ifas-hr@ifas.ufl.edu

Fax:  (352) 392-3226

Selected candidate will be required to provide an 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).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws

The University of Florida is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

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.

Health Assessment Required:Yes