Extension Agent I - IV – Urban Horticulture (69915)

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 Univ. 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.

We hire the best. Diverse views and experience make us strong. We are looking for candidates with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, innovate in a rapidly changing world, and believe in inclusion. 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 great benefits.

As an Urban Horticulture Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Volusia County, a growing coastal county in central Florida. We are looking for an individual with skills in teaching diverse audiences and volunteer management. You will be responsible for a program that provides public education to teach urban audiences the most effective strategies to adopt Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) principles, Green Industry Best Management Practices (GI-BMPs), and sustainable gardening. This responsibility will be partly be accomplished through the use of volunteers. As such, you will also be responsible for training, managing, and leading Master Gardener volunteers and support staff. Your office will be located at the County Extension Office in DeLand.

What you will do:

• Develop and implement a plan of work based on locally identified needs that will lead to improved horticultural practices.
• Teach and evaluate high-quality educational programs focusing on horticultural best management practices and integrated pest management including insect, disease, and weed management.
• Provide innovative training for new Master Gardener volunteers and continuing education for experienced Master Gardeners.
• Provide oversight and management of Extension’s demonstration gardens/landscapes and coordinate the Master Gardener Plant Clinic.
• Provide responsive, high-quality customer service for citizens seeking help identifying plant, weed, and insect samples as well as offering basic disease and plant sample troubleshooting and diagnosis.
• Write relevant articles and fact sheets, social media posts, develop multi-media presentations, and create educational displays and exhibits.
• Serve in an advisory/technical expert capacity to help support current gardens and facilitate the development of new school and community gardens.
• Become a certified and active instructor in GI-BMP courses.
• Develop an advisory committee to assist with the identification of client needs and priority issues, analysis of county situations, and development of programs.
• Develop and deliver age-appropriate subject matter education in support of 4-H Youth Development.
• Seek grants, contracts, or other funding and partnership opportunities to support your extension programs.
• Work with UF/IFAS and Volusia County teams to address emerging issues and produce collective impact in the community.
• Carry out other duties as outlined by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director.

Further information:

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

In the event of an emergency, all Volusia County employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform applicable, alternate duties.

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 to 6 weeks after the position closing date. Are you a good match? Apply today!

What you will bring (required):

• A bachelor’s degree in horticulture, plant science, plant pathology, entomology, or a closely-related field. We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned by May, 2021. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to advance your career by making at least 50% progress towards obtaining your master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment.
• Strong written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to customer service.
• A working knowledge of horticultural science including plant and pest identification and diagnostic skills, best management practices, and integrated pest management.
• Ability to obtain a pesticide license within 6 months of hire.
• 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.
• Ability to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding between Volusia County Government and the University of Florida.

What you will bring (preferred):

• A master’s degree.
• Practical experience in horticultural science and strong diagnostic skills.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Experience using a variety of educational methods including technology-enhanced and technology-based instruction to reach diverse audiences.
• Experience obtaining extramural funding.
• Excellent organizational skills and good record-keeping techniques.

Apply at http://apply.interfolio.com/83745 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
• Unofficial copies of all transcripts and/or 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 (located at https://hr.ifas.ufl.edu/resources/form-index/current-and-previous-employment-form/ ).
• 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.