Ext Agent I - IV

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 University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Alachua County are seeking to fill a fulltime, permanent status accruing FCS Extension Agent position in nutrition and foods. The successful candidate will lead FCS education through the design, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of Extension programs on nutrition, food safety, food preservation, and food entrepreneurship. Audiences will include cottage food producers, shared-use kitchen users, non-profit organizations, and the public. The successful candidate will also contribute (5%) to 4-H Youth Development program in area of expertise.

The successful candidate will:

• Plan, develop, teach, and evaluate community-based education programs reflecting Alachua County’s varied population and unique educational needs. Program goal is to empower 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.
• Develop partnerships with community agencies, local government, and community leaders within the local food initiative in Alachua County.
• Seek internal, external, and in-kind funds to support Extension programs.
• Develop creative works and publications in support of programming efforts.
• Extend educational training through volunteer systems to support FCS initiatives.
• Establish and maintain an effective advisory committee of citizens and professionals to analyze the county situation, identify priority issues, and assist with program design to reach target clientele.
• Demonstrate resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, collaboration, leadership, and innovation to strengthen educational programs.
• Perform assigned duties in the event of an emergency as an employee of Alachua County.

Further Information:

Establishing residency in Alachua County is expected, as we expect the Alachua County Family and Consumer Science Agent to become a part of community life. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

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

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.

With a population of 278,000 in 2020, Alachua County is in the heart of north central Florida. The county seat is Gainesville, the home of the University of Florida. The Alachua County Extension office is located at 2712 W. Newberry Rd., Newberry, FL 32669.

Commensurate With Education and Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences, food science, nutrition, dietetics, health and wellness, or a closely related field. We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned before start date. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree (Agent I or II), the successful candidate will be able to participate in the Employee Education Program while working and will be encouraged to complete his/her degree within the first 6 years of employment. Minimum expected progress is earning 50% of credits towards obtaining master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment. To be hired at the Agent III or IV ranks, candidates must hold an MS degree. Rank will be determined according to UF rank requirements.
• Must become ServSafe® certified and have a working knowledge of Florida’s cottage food law and food-related regulatory agencies prior to teaching food safety and quality education to food.
• A flexible schedule that allows for irregular hours when necessary.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a leader and team member.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Have strong listening, written and verbal communication skills, along with ability to address small and large audiences.
• Have a high level of organizational development and management skills.
• Be committed to UF core values and UF/IFAS Extension values.
• A valid driver’s license and national background screening are required.
• The agent is expected to follow all Extension Administration policies regarding affirmative action, program development, and reporting, as well as perform other duties as assigned by the County and District Extension Directors. The successful agent will create an annual plan of work and report of accomplishment.
• The agent is also expected to develop multi-media presentations, fact sheets, posters, exhibits, and web content, blogs, write non-technical publications, participate in professional societies, and seek extramural funds in support of the FCS program.

• Experience with teaching adults and youths and leading food demonstrations.
• Experience in recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers delivering nutrition and/or food programs.
• Proficiency in computer technology, software applications, and social media use.
• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for a broad range of audiences.
• Expertise in facilitating group collaboration, managing competing priorities, and adapting to unexpected situations is a plus.
• Experience working with people from varied backgrounds.

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 three 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 one 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.