Extension Agent I or II - Natural Resources

Apply now Job no: 535258
Work type: Permanent Status Faculty
Location: St. Lucie
Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences
Department:60355056 - AG-ST LUCIE

Classification Title:

Ext Agent I - II
Job Description:

You Belong at a University that’s Leading the Way

The University of Florida (UF), the state's flagship institution, is a land-grant university comprised of teaching, research, and extension. The UF/IFAS Florida Cooperative Extension Service is committed to the core values of integrity, excellence, responsiveness, lifelong learning, and accessibility.

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

This full‐time permanent status accruing Natural Resources Extension Agent will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and St. Lucie County. The successful candidate will lead through designing, implementing, and evaluating natural resources and environmental educational programs (95% of candidates’ time) to help county citizens more effectively interpret and use current science and technology. The agent is responsible for providing educational programs pertaining to the natural environment and conservation efforts. At least 5% of the candidate's time will be devoted to 4‐H Youth Development. The Natural Resources Agent's extension education program will be guided by an advisory committee that incorporates the needs of the county's population.

The candidate will be able to:

  • Build an effective advisory committee representative of the community to assist with the extension program design, direction, operation, and evaluation.
  • Provide training on lake and wetland ecology, co-existing with wildlife, aquatic plant control, invasive species management, and other related topics.
  • Establish collaborations with in-county Extension agents, specialists, and peers in the region and across the state, county, and city natural resources departments, and relevant community-based organizations.
  • Educate on the most effective strategies to adopt ecosystem conservation to protect water quality, preserve water resources, and foster awareness, understanding, and appreciation for Florida’s natural systems.
  • Target programs to reflect the area’s population and unique educational needs using a variety of program marketing and delivery methods, including in‐person, site visit consultations, and deliberately focused virtual platforms such as webinars, videos, and social media.
  • Obtain financial resources to support programs and manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability).
  • Produce creative, scholarly works and audience‐friendly publications.
  • Align educational programming with Florida Cooperative Extension: Pathway to creating engagement through innovation & excellence

Further Information:

UF/IFAS employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. UF/IFAS Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments 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 offices 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.

St. Lucie County has a population of about 344,650. The county is west of the Atlantic Ocean and bordered by Indian River County to the north, Okeechobee County to the west, and Martin County to the south. St. Lucie County Extension is part of the UF/IFAS Southeast Extension District, comprised of twelve counties and the Seminole Tribe.

Employment is contingent on the results of a physical examination, a substance screening, and a national background screening.

In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties at the county or district level.

Candidates must have the ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license, be able to work flexible hours and have the willingness to occasionally work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

Candidates must have the ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a pesticide license within 3 months of hire.

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!
Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience
Minimum Requirements:
  • A bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecology, wildlife management, or a related field.
  • Technical expertise in natural resources, including data management skills.
  • Self‐starting, energetic, and team‐oriented.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness.
  • Good organizational development and management skills.
  • Ability to establish solid partnerships and work in teams.
  • Ability to use information technology and apply social media to extension work.
  • A commitment to positive and proactive customer service.
  • Expertise in managing competing priorities and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.
  • Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values .
Preferred Qualifications:
  • A master’s degree, preferably in environmental science. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to continue to grow in your career. As such, we expect you to progress at least 50% toward obtaining your master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment (Candidates must hold a master’s degree to be hired as an Extension Agent II or higher).
  • Practical experience in South Florida ecosystems, wildlife, and invasive species identification and management.
  • Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for a varied audience.
  • A strong commitment to the community.
  • Evidence of collaborations, partnerships, and marketing with community agencies and groups.
  • Experience working in multicultural settings; bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.
  • Experience with program management and communication using information technology, including social media.
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, 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.
Health Assessment Required: Yes

 

Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time

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