Ext Agent I - IV

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

University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Manatee County are seeking an Extension Agent to lead Residential Horticulture education through the design, implementation, and evaluation of extension programming that meets the needs of the county’s varied population. As the Agent, you will spend about 50% of your time on residential horticulture programming including Florida Friendly Landscaping programs (FFL)  and about 45% of time leading the Manatee County Master Gardener (MGV) Program . The additional 5% of time is dedicated to support of the 4-H youth program through horticulture work coordinated with the 4-H Agent.

You will build an advisory committee composed of citizens and professionals that will assist you with program priorities and design to reach your audiences. You will obtain financial resources to enhance support of your programs and you will manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability). You will cooperate in interdisciplinary projects, provide service to schools, develop creative works (presentations, posters, website development, etc.), write non-technical people-friendly publications, and participate in professional societies. This position is responsible for supervising a team of horticulture program staff.

This role provides the opportunity to make a positive impact in the Manatee County community as you help shape future generations. As such, you will collaborate with the County Extension Director and District Extension Director on other responsibilities that benefit the total county extension program.

Further information:

Manatee County is an urbanizing county with a strong agricultural presence, located on Florida’s west coast, south of Tampa/St. Petersburg and north of Sarasota. It comprises 741 square miles, with 150 miles of coastline. The county seat is Bradenton, the home of Tropicana Products, and winter home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The county population is approximately 400,000. The economy is based on tourism, agriculture, and construction.

Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. As such, all partners are involved in the supervision of the office and contribute to the salary and support resources. The primary goal of Extension is to disseminate the latest knowledge and applicable technologies in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. The UF/IFAS mission is accomplished through extension faculty members, scientists, educators, administrative staff, and volunteers working cohesively throughout Florida’s 67 counties.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a related field and professional experience. A flexible schedule that allows for irregular hours is necessary. A valid driver’s license and available transportation, a national background screening, and a drug-screening test are requirements of this position. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to grow in your career. As such, we expect you to make at least 50% progress towards 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). Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values. 

A master’s degree and at least 5 years of extension experience or equivalent are highly desirable. You should be an effective written and verbal communicator, feel comfortable presenting in front of small and large crowds, be able to establish solid partnerships, and find innovative ways to attract new audiences. Your abilities to use computers, apply social media to your work, organize and motivate people, manage volunteers, and work in teams must be strong. Supervisory experience and working in multicultural settings are desirable. Expertise in strategic planning, project management and motivating varied groups, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to manage unexpected situations is a plus for this role.

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.