Extension Agent I - IV – Florida Sea Grant (75873)

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 .

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.

The University of Florida (UF) is a Land-Grant institution with core values of unique purpose, excellence, integrity, collaboration and partnership, lifelong learning, diversity, inclusion, responsiveness, innovation, communication, and global reach. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (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.

As a Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Charlotte County. We are looking for an individual with skills in teaching diverse audiences who will plan, develop, teach, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive marine/coastal resources education program (95%) and assist with our 4-H Youth Development program (5%).

You will be responsible for a program that provides public education and leadership to support economic growth and environmental sustainability with collaboration and input of industry stakeholders, county residents, local government, state and regional agencies, and local IFAS Extension colleagues.

What you will do:

• Promote, conduct, and foster education, involvement, and communication to address issues, facilitate solutions and promote positive behavior change associated with the health of coastal, estuarine, and sensitive environments.
• Focus your educational programs on coastal community resilience and stewardship; water quality issues; coastal ecosystem health and restoration; economic growth and development; invasive marine and coastal species; protected marine species (e.g., bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, manatees); sustainable fisheries and best fishing practices; existing initiatives such as “Eyes on Seagrass” citizen science; new or other initiatives.
• Deliver educational programs using a wide variety of approaches (e.g., tours, workshops, seminars, publications, and electronic media) to effectively reach community stakeholders of diverse age, education, experience, and learning styles.
• Create, develop, and confer with a Charlotte County marine advisory committee representing the diversity of the community to provide local guidance, ensuring that the local Sea Grant program is relevant with a high level of stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with agencies and other partners to respond effectively and efficiently to priority coastal issues.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with various marine and coastal businesses, resource and water education user groups, and other stakeholders.
• Act as a liaison to marine and natural resource management agencies, as well as public and private organizations, aquaculturists, and educational institutions.
• Participate on at least one Florida Sea Grant work action group (WAG) and contribute to regional and statewide extension education programs that are relevant to Charlotte County and local stakeholders.
• Participate in the annual Florida Sea Grant Extension Program retreat and other professional development opportunities.
• Develop programs to promote nature-based recreation, tourism, and economic development as it relates to Charlotte County coastal and other natural resources.
• Engage with and accept other duties as assigned or determined to be relevant and/or priorities to marine extension education programs by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director, including related 4-H youth programs and priority statewide initiatives.
• Use an equity lens in all extension work by following all county, UF, and IFAS Extension policies regarding Affirmative Action, program development, and parity.
• Carry out other duties as outlined by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director.
• Continuing learning, researching, collaborating, and experiencing local marine and coastal issues to provide research based educational information and solutions meeting the needs of local stakeholders and stay current on new issues and environmental demands.

Further information:

Charlotte County is located on the southwestern Florida Gulf Coast. It was established April 23, 1921 and is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2021. Communities located in Charlotte County include Punta Gorda (the only incorporated city in Charlotte County), Port Charlotte, Charlotte Harbor, Charlotte Park, Cleveland, Grove City, Harbor Heights, Manasota Key, Rotonda, Solana, and Englewood. Charlotte County is 858 sq mi, of which 680 are land and 178 are water. Charlotte Harbor Estuary is an important natural preserve and one of the most productive in Florida.

Charlotte Harbor Estuary, the second largest bay in Florida, is located on the Gulf of Mexico coast of west Florida, mostly (2/3) in Charlotte County with the remaining 1/3 in Lee County. The harbor's mouth is located behind Gasparilla Island, one of the many coastal barrier islands on the southwest coast of Florida, with access from the Gulf of Mexico through the Boca Grande Pass between Gasparilla Island on the north and Lacosta Island on the south. Charlotte Harbor covers about 270 sq mi. Charlotte Harbor Estuary is a natural estuary spanning the west coast of Florida from Venice to Bonita Springs on the Gulf of Mexico and is one of the most productive wetlands in Florida. The estuary has a large watershed, and includes Charlotte Harbor itself as well as the Peace River, Caloosahatchee River (via Pine Island Sound), and Myakka River basins. It covers 4,885 sq mi, the second largest open water estuary in the state.

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 (minimum required):

• A bachelor’s degree in marine science, marine policy, fisheries, aquaculture, marine biology, 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 grow in your career. Therefore, you will be expected to make at least 50% progress towards obtaining a master's degree within 6 years of employment.
• Professional experience in a marine-related field or equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal and effective communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and balance diverse responsibilities.
• A commitment to customer service and a passion to follow Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) guidelines of UF/IFAS Extension.
• A valid Florida driver’s license or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to pass a national background screening, a physical screening, and a drug-screening.
• Flexibility with working hours; willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

What you will bring (preferred):

• A master’s degree.
• At least 5 years of extension experience or equivalent.
• The ability to organize; coordinate events; comfortably present in front of small and large audiences; establish solid partnerships; build professional relationships; use creative and innovative techniques to attract new audiences; use technology and social media to accomplish the mission; lead teams to achieve goals; manage competing priorities; adapt to handle unexpected situations.

Apply at http://apply.interfolio.com/89038 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 Employment Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. 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 . 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.