EXT AGENT I - III

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.

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.

The University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Sumter County are seeking an Extension Agent to lead Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education through the design, implementation, and evaluation of Extension programming that meets the needs of the county’s population. As the FCS Extension Agent, you will provide programming in financial management, health and wellness (including human nutrition), and other areas as determined by the community needs.

What you will do:

• Build an advisory committee composed of citizens and professionals to assist with program priorities and design to effectively reach your audiences.
• Obtain financial resources to support programs and manage all program components (e.g., policies, records, risk management, communication, and accountability).
• Grow a volunteer base (e.g., Florida Master Money Mentors, Master Food and Nutrition Volunteers) to expand the program’s scope.
• Collaborate with colleagues and local clientele on food system initiatives, nutrition, and wellness education.
• Empowering individuals, families, and youth (4-H) to adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviors that can help prevent or delay the onset of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer.
• Utilizing Homeflow and HUD-approved programs to assist homebuyers with mortgage default/delinquency, foreclosure prevention, and home insurance and maintenance to ensure successful homeownership in Sumter County.
• 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.
• Perform other duties as outlined by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director.

This role provides the opportunity to make a positive impact on the Sumter County community as you help shape future generations. You will also collaborate with the County Extension Director and District Extension Director on multi-county projects and serve as a role model to the community.

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 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 national background check and drug screening.

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

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 be scheduled at four to six weeks after the position closing date. Are you a good match? Apply today!

Commensurate with Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences, nutrition, dietetics, health and wellness, or a related field. We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned by May 2025.
• 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. The successful candidate will be able to participate in the Employee Education Program. Candidates must hold a master’s degree to be hired as an Extension Agent II or higher.
• A flexible schedule that allows for irregular hours is necessary.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a leader and team member.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, along with confidence in presenting to small and large audiences.
• Evidence of resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness.
• High-level organizational development and management skills.
• Knowledge and experience in using and applying information technology and communications applications.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values and UF/IFAS Extension values.
• Be willing to be activated by the county in the event of an emergency.
• A valid driver’s license and national background screening are required for this position.

• A master’s degree is preferred.
• Accredited Financial Counselor recognition, and professional experience are highly desirable.
• Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) is preferred.
• Expertise in facilitating group collaboration, managing competing priorities, and adapting to unexpected situations is a plus.
• Ability to establish solid partnerships and develop innovative ways to attract new audiences.
• Capability to provide food demonstrations and public classes or to manage volunteers delivering these services.
• Proficiency in computer technology, software applications, and internet use.
• Familiarity with, or a willingness to learn webpage design software and online educational technology tools.
• Experience working with people from varied backgrounds.
• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for a broad range of audiences.

Application Instructions

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.