Ext Agent I - II

You Belong at a University that’s Leading the Way

The University of Florida (UF), the flagship university for the state of Florida, is a land grant institution with core values of unique purpose, excellence, integrity, collaboration and partnership, lifelong learning, responsiveness, innovation, communication, and global reach.

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 Extension Agent will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Brevard County. The successful candidate will design, implement, and evaluate community-based education programs that improve financial literacy and help individuals, families, and communities improve their economic well-being. Educational programs may be targeted to help individuals and families manage financial resources or own a home (about 55% of your time).  The successful candidate will work with beginning and established cottage food and other food entrepreneurs on topics such as starting a food business, food safety, labeling and packaging, regulations, and financial management (about 40% of your time). At least 5% of the candidate's time will be devoted to 4‐H Youth Development. The Family Consumer Science Agent's extension education program will be guided by an advisory committee that incorporates the needs of the county's varied 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 use an understanding of financial management, quality of life, and community stability to lead an educational program that empowers people to adopt healthy financial behavior, prevent financial stress, and achieve long-term social and economic success. This role provides the opportunity to positively impact the Brevard County community in helping to shape future generations.

The candidate will be able to:

• Plan, develop, teach, and evaluate community-based education programs to help people acquire the knowledge and skills to build financial security.
• Promote best practices for food entrepreneurs.
• Promote positive financial practices for limited-resource families.
• Market education programs to reach varied populations.
• Employ programmatic strategies to ensure the success of varied populations. 
• Build a diverse advisory committee composed of citizens and professionals to assist with program priorities and design. 
• Partner with colleagues, community leaders, agencies, and elected officials to create urban/rural community opportunities that enhance the local economic condition. 
• Obtain financial resources to support programs and manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability). 
• Demonstrate resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, collaboration, leadership, and innovation to strengthen current educational programs while reviewing and implementing new policies, maintaining records, assessing risks, communicating and marketing effectively across multi-media platforms, managing financial resources, and creating educational materials and opportunities for Brevard County.

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 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.

Brevard County, with a population of 387,546, is located along the Atlantic Ocean and is bordered by Indian River County to the south-north, Indian River and Martin Counties to the north-south, and Okeechobee County to the west. The Extension 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 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 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 family and consumer sciences, food science, business, economics, financial management, or a closely related discipline is required. We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned by December 2024. 
• Must show significant progress (at least 30% of the requirements) towards completing Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification within 3 years of employment. 
• Must become ServSafe® certified and a working knowledge of Florida’s cottage food law and food related regulatory agencies prior to teaching food safety and quality education to food entrepreneurs. 
• Ability to work with community agencies and groups in collaborations and partnerships.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a leader and team member.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• 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. 

• A master’s degree is preferred. If hired with a bachelor’s degree only, significant progress (50% minimum) towards obtaining a master’s degree is expected within 6 years of employment (Candidates must hold a master’s degree to be hired as an Extension Agent II or higher).
• Previous experience with family and consumer sciences extension programs. 
• Experience working with people from varied backgrounds. 
• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for a varied audience.
• Technological literacy necessary for communication and program management, including social media.

This posting has been extended. Previous applicants are under consideration and need not re-apply.

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.