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County Extension Director & Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent I - IV (65183)

Employer
University of Florida
Location
Florida, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Oct 5, 2020


The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is committed to creating an environment that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions, including ability, class, ethnicity/race, gender identity and expression. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.

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 (UF) is a Land Grant institution with core values of unique purpose, excellence, integrity, collaboration and partnership, lifelong learning, diversity, responsiveness, innovation, communication, and global reach. IFAS employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. IFAS Extension employs 375 Extension Agents and has an office in each of Florida’s 67 counties.

Our mission in the Florida Cooperative Extension Service is to partner with communities to provide 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, horticulture, natural resources, youth development, families and communities.

University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Desoto County seek to fill a permanent-status accruing, full-time Extension Agent position with a self-starting, energetic, team-oriented individual who will also serve as County Extension Director (CED; 20-30%). The educational responsibilities of the CED/Agent encompass strong leadership with respect to Agriculture and Natural Resources with Livestock specialty (65-75%). There is an expectation of active participation in the 4-H Youth Development program (5%).

As an extension educator, you will lead through the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational programming that meet the needs of the county’s diverse population in the selected programmatic area. Duties will include farm visits and diagnostics along with assisting growers in securing appropriate expertise from University of Florida Extension specialists. You may also assist in applied research projects that further improve farming operations and profitability.

As the CED, you will lead, manage, supervise, coordinate and report on the total county extension program while maintaining, fostering and building effective working relationships with advisory committee, stakeholders, county government, community leaders, private sector clientele, media, government agencies, county residents, and UF/IFAS faculty, staff and extension administration.

You will demonstrate resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovation to strengthen current educational programs while reviewing and implementing new policies, maintaining records, assessing risks, communicating and marketing effectively across social media platforms, managing financial resources, and creating educational materials and opportunities for Desoto County.

The CED/Agent role provides the opportunity to make a positive impact in the Desoto County community working with extension faculty, staff and stakeholders. You will also collaborate with the District Extension Director and other Southwest CEDs on multi-county projects and serve as a role model to the community.

Further information:

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

Desoto County is a small, rural, community. This interior Florida county consists of approximately 639 square miles, providing many activities for nature enthusiasts, such as boating, canoeing, swimming, and golf. Agriculture and related industries are the primary employer for this close-knit community of approximately 36,000 residents. The city of Arcadia is the county seat. The county has easy access to the coastal communities of Bradenton/Sarasota and Punta Gorda/Fort Myers.

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 in order 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.

Candidates will be reviewed as applications are received, but please be aware that interviews might not be scheduled until 4-6 weeks after the position closing date.

Minimum requirements:

Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science, agriculture, natural resources, agronomy, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. Applicants who are expecting to earn a master’s degree by December 2020 are eligible to apply. At least 5 years of professional extension experience or equivalent. A commitment to customer service. Ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license. Flexibility with working hours. Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and overnight travel.

Preferred qualifications:

Previous CED experience or equivalent is preferred. Experience in creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience is highly desirable. Expertise in getting groups to work together for a higher goal, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations is a plus for this role. You must be an effective written, verbal and listening 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.

This position has been re-posted. Previous applicants are under consideration and need not reapply.

Apply at http://apply.interfolio.com/79461 by 11:59 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


The following documents are required and may either be submitted through the above link at the time of application, or sent separately to our office (below).

  • Unofficial copies of all transcripts and/or coursework of your academic degrees
  • A minimum of 3 reference rating forms (located at http://hr.ifas.ufl.edu/assets/pdf/forms/ref_form.pdf ) from your professional/academic 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:

Ms. Dana LeCuyer
UF IFAS Human Resources
Faculty Recruitment and Hiring
P O Box 110281
Gainesville, FL 32611-0281

dlecuyer@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) .

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).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida’s Sunshine Law.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

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The University of Florida 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, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.

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