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.

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.

As a full-time permanent status accruing Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Osceola County, a vibrant and growing county in Central Florida. You will develop and deliver educational programs that support commercial horticultural producers and associated businesses, promoting best management practices in turfgrass and ornamental plant production. Your primary clientele includes professionals in the commercial landscape, nursery, and sod industries.

What you will do:

• Develop an advisory committee to assist with program design, identification of client needs and priority issues, analysis of county situations, and development of program budgets.
• Work with community leaders to facilitate and coordinate partnerships with local and state agencies, elected officials, communities, landowners, citizens, and industry in developing urban/rural economic opportunities.
• Teach and evaluate high-quality educational programs that focus on horticultural best management practices and integrated pest management, including insects, diseases, and weed management.
• Improve pesticide applicator knowledge of pesticide use and environmental impact and provide license training and continuing education units for pesticide license renewal.
• Use traditional and innovative educational methods to teach target audiences new practices, procedures, techniques, and skills that will result in positive behavioral, or practice change with time.
• Collaborate with other agents including Residential Horticulture/Florida-Friendly Landscaping™, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Science and Agriculture, as well as volunteers on educational efforts that will facilitate positive management practices with significant and locally relevant impact.
• Seek grants, contracts, or other funding and partnership opportunities to support extension programs.
• Develop and deliver age-appropriate and program-related subject matter education in support of 4-H Youth Development (5% time commitment).
• Follow all county, UF, and IFAS Extension policies regarding Civil Rights.
• Carry out other duties as outlined by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director.

Further information:

This is not a remote work position.

Osceola County, located in Central Florida along the I-4 corridor, is a dynamic region balancing rapid growth with its rich agricultural heritage. This unique blend of ecological richness and residential and commercial development makes Osceola County a vibrant and evolving community. The UF/IFAS Extension Osceola County team supports these varied needs with research-based education and programming tailored to promote sustainability, growth, and resilience.

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 Osceola 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 horticulture, plant sciences, agriculture, or a closely related field. Persons who will obtain their bachelor's degree by May 2025, are eligible to apply. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to grow in your career. Therefore, you will be expected to progress at least halfway towards obtaining a master's degree within 6 years of employment.
• A working knowledge of horticultural science including plant and pest identification and diagnostic skills, best management practices, soils, irrigation, fertilizers, and integrated pest management.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide license within six months of hire.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a leader and team member.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• 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 master’s degree is preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Practical experience in horticultural production.
• Experience working with a variety of audiences.
• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for a broad range of audiences.
• Technological literacy is necessary for communication and program management, including social media.

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.

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.