Extension Agent I or II – Family and Consumer Sciences (72143)

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. Celebrating diversity and embracing inclusion makes us strong. We look 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, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA). 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 Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Seminole County, a growing area in central Florida. We are looking for an individual with teaching skills in human nutrition, health, and wellness. You will be responsible for a program that provides public education to individuals and families to adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviors that can prevent or delay the onset of chronic diseases such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cancer. In addition, you will conduct programs in financial literacy. Your office will be located at the Seminole County Extension Office in Sanford.

What you will do:

• Design, implement, evaluate, and report on community-based educational programs focusing on human nutrition and wellness.
• Extend educational training through volunteer systems.
• Establish an advisory committee of citizens and professionals to analyze the county situation, identify priority issues, and assist with program design to reach target clientele.
• Work with UF/IFAS and Seminole County teams to identify needs, issues, and opportunities.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with faculty colleagues, community agencies, leaders, businesses, media, and the public.
• Secure and manage external and internal financial resources to support FCS programs.
• Manage program components including program policies, records, risk management, communication, and educational materials.
• Establish and maintain an effective system for accountability and public information to all relevant individuals, groups, organizations, and agencies.
• Develop effective working relationships with the 4-H Youth Development program plus other nutrition and wellness programs in Seminole County.
• Use traditional and innovative (e.g., web-based) educational methods to teach target audiences new practices, procedures, techniques, and skills that will result in positive behavior or practice change.
• Seek grants, contracts, or other funding and partnership opportunities to support extension programs for your program or as part of team effort.
• Contribute about 5% of your time towards Seminole County 4-H Youth Development in your area of expertise.
• Follow all Univ. of Florida and Seminole County policies and procedures.
• Carry out other duties as outlined by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director.

Further information:

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

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

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. Apply to become a part of our growing team!

What you will bring (required):

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in in family and consumer sciences, nutrition, dietetics, health and wellness, or a closely related field. We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned by August, 2021. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to advance in your career by making at least 50% progress towards obtaining your master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment.
• A working knowledge of healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviors that can prevent or delay the onset of chronic diseases.
• Strong written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to customer service.
• A commitment to the IDEA guidelines of UF/IFAS Extension.
• Ability to comply with the Memorandum of Understanding between Seminole County Government and the Univ. of Florida.
• 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, as well as travel with a county vehicle or a personal vehicle.

What you will bring (preferred):

• A master’s degree.
• A working knowledge of financial literacy for individuals and families.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers.
• 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.

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

Apply at http://apply.interfolio.com/85735 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

ifasrecruitment@ifas.ufl.edu

Fax: (352) 392-3226

Final candidate will be required to provide 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), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/ .

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff.

The University of Florida is An Equal Employment Opportunity Institution. 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.

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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.