Extension Agent I - III – 4-H Youth Development (77396)

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 are looking for candidates with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, and innovate in a rapidly changing world. As an Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Holmes County to design, implement, evaluate, and report on positive 4-H Youth Development programs emphasizing volunteer management. You will also lead a program targeting 4-H youth participation with an emphasis on workforce preparedness and youth development. Your comprehensive extension education program will be guided by an advisory committee that incorporates the needs of the county’s diverse population. You will demonstrate excellent customer service and you will respond to client needs in a timely and professional manner.

What you will do:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate your 4-H Youth Development program in cooperation with local citizens and county/state extension colleagues.
• Design, implement, and evaluate community-based educational programs stemming from a needs assessment with input from the county 4-H Association and community members.
• Develop, sustain, and monitor the effectiveness of a volunteer system to staff the
  4-H program including recruitment, volunteer staff development, evaluation, and recognition.
• Ensure compliance with Florida 4-H youth protection policies, including screening and training 4-H volunteers.
• Maintain an effective county 4-H Association.
• Target programs to achieve program balance reflective of the county’s population diversity and to address the unique educational needs of county residents.
• Secure and manage private financial resources to support 4-H programming and ensure compliance with UF/IFAS Extension financial policies.
• Manage program policies, enrollments, records, risk, communications, and educational materials.
• Establish and maintain an effective system for program accountability.
• Possess or develop an area of expertise to share across county lines.

• Apply experiential education and community development methods.
• Work with community agencies and groups in collaborations and partnerships.
• Develop and maintain good media relations.
• Work cooperatively with youth and adults as a leader and team member.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Develop and maintain a social media and web presence including virtual program delivery along with in-person program delivery.
• Proactively work with your supervisor to manage work-life balance.
• Follow all university and county policies and procedures.
• Assume other assignments and responsibilities in support of the total Extension program as assigned by the County Extension Director and District Extension Director.

Further information:

Employment is contingent upon the results of a national background screening. Holmes County may require drug testing and additional requirements for employment.

This position is in Holmes County, FL in the county seat of Bonifay. Holmes County is currently served by UF/IFAS Extension by an Agricultural and Natural Resource Agent, a Family Consumer Sciences Agent, and a 4-H Agent. The successful candidate will need to focus on building a volunteer program that can support programming that reaches youth in the towns or after school, and in the rural and social/economically challenged areas of the county. It is expected that this position will have a successful livestock program, collaborate/participate in the Holmes and Washington County Fair, and have a shooting sports teams that participate at all levels. The agent will focus on developing a diverse and robust county program that serves residents across the county, regardless of demographic or location.

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 from an accredited college or university in youth development, education, community development/sociology or a 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 continue to grow in your career. As such, we expect you to make 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.
• Knowledge and experience with computer technology.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness.
• Good organizational development and management skills.
• Ability to establish solid partnerships and to find innovative ways to attract new audiences and volunteers.
• A commitment to customer service.
• Ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a valid Florida driver’s license.
• Flexibility with working hours; willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

What you will bring (preferred):

• A master’s degree in a scientific field.
• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience.

• Expertise in getting groups to work together for a higher goal, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.
• Leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Experience working in multicultural settings and coursework/training on multicultural topics are highly desirable.
• A strong commitment to community.
• Previous experience with 4-H as a member, leader, or extension agent.
• Experience with 4-H clubs, camps, school enrichment, and after-school programs.
• Ability to establish residency in Holmes County within 6 months of employment.

Apply at http://apply.interfolio.com/90411 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.