Extension Agent I - III - Water Resources

Classification Title:

Ext Agent I - III

Job Description:

You Belong at a University that’s Leading the Way

The University of Florida (UF), the flagship university for the state of Florida, 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.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) 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 Opportunity

This full-time permanent status accruing Extension Agent will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Sarasota County. The candidate will provide teaching for and management of Sarasota County water resources extension programs. In addition, at least 5% of the Agent’s time will be devoted to 4-H Youth Development.

The candidate will develop a water resources educational and outreach program targeted to the county’s diverse population, integrating with the county’s current efforts and identifying gaps. The candidate will demonstrate excellent customer service and will respond to client needs in a timely and professional manner. This role provides the opportunity to make a positive impact in Sarasota County.

The candidate will be able to:

• Create and deliver water resource education programs leading to behavior change, outcomes, and impacts that protect water quality and conserve water supply in Sarasota County.
• Form educational and outreach partnerships with the Sarasota County Public Utilities Department, other internal and external stakeholders, and extension faculty colleagues to deliver cooperative and interdisciplinary projects.
• Maintain an effective and diverse advisory committee to assist with extension program design, direction, and operation.
• Target programs to reflect the area’s population diversity and unique educational needs using a variety of program marketing and delivery methods including in-person, site visit consultations, and deliberately focused virtual platforms such as webinars, videos, and social media.
• Leverage Extension’s volunteers to increase the reach and effectiveness of the program.
• Obtain financial resources to support programs and manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability).
• Produce creative, scholarly works and audience-friendly publications.
• Measure program accountability and effectiveness.
• Serve as an educational first responder for county and university functions during natural disasters.

Further Information:

UF/IFAS employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. UF/IFAS Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments with a mission of providing quality, relevant education, and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. We employ 375 Extension Agents, and we have an office in each of Florida’s 67 counties. We attribute our success to a workforce that embraces the contributions of people of all backgrounds and ability levels. The Extension Agent will be a contributor to a community that provides space for innovation, creativity, collaboration, growth, and development for all.

Sarasota County is in Southwest Florida and includes the cities of Sarasota, Venice and North Port, and the Town of Longboat Key. The county is home to approximately 390,000 permanent residents, expanding to more than 476,000 during the winter months. The community encompasses 725 square miles of land and 37 miles of shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico. Endowed with inspiring natural beauty and an appealing climate, the county is known for its world-class beaches and natural areas, plus numerous arts and cultural institutions. It is also the spring training home of two major league baseball teams.

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

In the event of an emergency, all employees are considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties at the county or district level.

Candidates must have the ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license, be able to work flexible hours, and have the willingness to occasionally work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

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!

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor’s degree in water resources or a related field.
• Technical expertise in hydrology, wetland science, ecology, environmental science, environmental/civil/agricultural engineering, or a related field.
• Self-starting, energetic, and team oriented.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness.
• Good organizational development and management skills.
• Ability to establish solid partnerships and work in teams.
• Ability to use information technology and apply social media to extension work.
• Expertise in managing competing priorities and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master’s degree. 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.
• Practical experience in extension, teaching, and water resources.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Ability to contribute to the extension office environment through scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application Instructions

Apply at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/521870 by 11:55 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 (showing 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. Applicants are responsible for sending the rating form link to their references.

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:

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

Health Assessment Required: No