Cty Ext Dir & Prg Ext Agent III - IV OR Ext Agent III-IV

New appointees to any County Extension Director position must have a minimum of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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 .

Please note: The Program Extension Agent track indicates the position in this track is non-permanent status accruing in the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (FCES). The Extension Agent track includes permanent status as part of the position. A successful applicant who does not currently hold permanent status in FCES will follow the Program Extension Agent track. Successful applicants must currently hold permanent status in FCES and will retain it by following the Extension Agent track.

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 Opportunity

University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Duval County seek to fill a Program Extension Agent or Extension Agent position with a self-starting, energetic, team-oriented individual to serve as County Extension Director (CED). The CED will be responsible for managing, supervising, coordinating, leading, and reporting on the total county extension program (100%). The CED will maintain effective working relationships with UF/IFAS Extension Administration, county government, community leaders, private sector clientele, media, related agencies, and the public. The CED will supervise and evaluate county faculty and staff who lead extension programs in various subject matter areas such as 4-H Youth Development, Environmental, Urban and Commercial Horticulture, Agriculture, Small Farms, and Family and Consumer Science. The CED is also responsible for the administrative operations of the Jacksonville Canning Center and the Urban Demonstration and Community Gardens.

Candidates hired at rank III or IV are expected to already have permanent status or achieve permanent status upon hire. Candidates hired at rank III (agent or program agent) will be expected to develop forward-looking educational programs in his/her area of expertise (20%; this will reduce the administrative appointment to 80%). Candidates hired at rank IV will hold a 100% administrative appointment.

The successful applicant must have excellent interpersonal oral, written, and listening communication skills, be competent with information technology, and have the ability to motivate, train and recruit people. The assignment may be subject to change at the discretion of the District Extension Director (DED) based on emerging needs in the county. The individual will follow all policies related to UF/IFAS Extension programs and personnel with emphasis on the program development process and affirmative action plan.

The CED will create an annual plan of work (POW) and a report of accomplishment (ROA) and will work with the Extension overall advisory committee to analyze county situations, identify priority issues, establish program budgets, and design and implement a variety of programs to reach target clientele in the above-mentioned areas.  Candidates hired at the rank III will also establish and work with a program advisory committee. The successful candidate must demonstrate an ability to work with staff, volunteers, industry, media, and county and agency partners. The successful candidate will assume other responsibilities that benefit the total county extension program as assigned by the District Extension Director. The CED will be expected to be promoted at appropriate intervals per UF/IFAS guidelines.

The CED will be expected to participate in appropriate in-service training (professional development) to stay current in the relevant areas of expertise, be familiar with county and university initiatives and priorities, and be familiar with related county, state, and federal regulations. The CED is expected to participate in professional organizations appropriate to the position.

Duval County is a community of just over 1 million people, surrounded by the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Johns River, lush woodlands, sand hills, and beaches. We have the largest park system in the nation, with over 400 parks and recreational sites.  The Duval County Extension Office is both a division of the City of Jacksonville Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Services and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS). We have a robust staff of extension agents and assistants, serving throughout our community.

Commensurate with Experience and Education

• A bachelor’s degree and a master's degree are required for ranks III or IV. Academic degree must be related to the programmatic area the successful candidate will develop their program in.
• A minimum of 10 years extension experience or equivalent is required.
• A minimum of 5 years of extension leadership and management or equivalent is required.
• A responsive, creative, energetic and team-oriented attitude to solving clientele problems is expected.
• Excellent written, oral and listening communication skills.
• A commitment to positive and proactive customer service.
• Prior to appointment, the successful candidate must pass a physical examination, drug screening, and background check.
• Must possess (or be able to obtain after hire) a valid Florida Driver’s License; must be flexible and willing to work irregular hours and some weekends and travel with personal transportation in and out of Duval county with occasional overnight travel.
• Expertise in managing competing priorities and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.
• Candidates must have a commitment to UF core values.

• Preferred academic backgrounds include Family, Youth, and Community Sciences, Public Policy, Agricultural/Extension Education, Horticulture, and Natural/Marine Resources or closely related field.
• Doctoral degrees will be considered.
• Expertise in community development is preferred.
• Experience with project management, marketing and/or grant writing is a plus.
• Strong people skills and ability to work effectively in teams and with volunteers.
• Experience in supervising staff is preferred.

Apply at Careers at UF by 11:55 p.m. (Eastern) on 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 and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.