EXT AGENT I - II

Candidates shall hold a master’s degree and/or bachelor’s degree with relevant experience and accomplishments.

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 .

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 Opportunity

This full-time permanent status accruing Agriculture/Livestock Extension Agent will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Brevard County. The successful candidate will lead through designing, implementing, and evaluating livestock education programs to assist producers more effectively in interpreting and using current science and technology. In this role, specific emphasis is on cattle, small ruminants, poultry, and equine (about 55% of the agent’s time).  About 40% of your time will be devoted to pesticide education, pasture, forage, and small farm management programs. At least 5% of the candidate's time will be devoted to 4-H Youth Development. Your extension education program will be guided by an advisory committee that incorporates the various needs of the county’s population. We are looking for candidates with academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, and innovate in a rapidly changing world.

The candidate will be able to:

• Provide on-site technical assistance and teaching to facilitate the implementation of Best Management Practices in livestock and forage production.
• Build an effective and varied advisory committee to assist with the design, direction, and operation of the extension program.
• Collaborate with local producers, UF/IFAS Research Center faculty, and the Central Florida Livestock Agents Group to help design, conduct, and evaluate studies (including demonstration trials) that assess forage performance, response to fertilizer and other crop nutrient inputs, and improved weed and pest management methods in Brevard County. Assist with monitoring water quality and control.
• 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.
• Work with large and small producers.
• Obtain financial resources to support programs and manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability).
• Develop community partnerships to include local municipalities and producer groups.
• Produce creative, scholarly works and audience-friendly publications.

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.

Brevard County, with a population of over 643,000, is located along the Atlantic coast of eastern Central Florida, north of Indian River County, south of Volusia County, and east of Osceola and Orange Counties. The office is located in Cocoa. Brevard County Extension is part of the Southeast Extension District, comprising twelve counties and the Seminole Tribe.

Employment is contingent on the results of a background screening.

In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and maybe 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 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!

Commensurate with Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in animal science or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. We will accept applicants without a bachelor's degree if the degree will be earned by May 2025.
• Technical expertise in animal science.
• Self-starting, energetic, and team-oriented.
• Strong written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness.
• Ability to establish solid partnerships and work in teams.
• 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's core values.
• Work as part of a team with local producers, organizations, agencies, and UF/IFAS colleagues to promote agriculture.

• A master’s degree, 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 Agent II or higher).
• Practical experience in extension education, particularly in Central Florida livestock production.
• A strong commitment to the community.
• Evidence of collaborations, partnerships, and marketing with community agencies and groups.
• Experience working in multicultural settings; bilingual English/Spanish is a plus.
• Technological literacy is necessary for communication and program management.
• Pesticide applicator and instructor certifications.

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 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 .