County Extension Director (CED) and Extension Agent II - IV

CTY EXT DIR & EXT AGENT II - IV

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciencesis 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, collaboration, mentoring, managing, leadership, 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 University 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 and County Extension Director (CED), you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Indian River County. The academic program focus of this Extension Agent position is Agriculture and Natural Resources. As the Agent, you will lead through the design, implementation, and evaluation of agricultural education programs designed to assist clientele in livestock management, vegetable production, and small farms management in a resource-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. As the CED, (about 25% of your time) you will lead the total Indian River extension program.

Your comprehensive extension education program will be guided by an advisory committee that incorporates the needs of the county’s diverse population. About 5% of your time will be devoted to our 4-H Youth Development program. You will demonstrate excellent customer service and you will respond to client needs in a timely and professional manner. Your office will be located at the Indian River County Extension Office in Vero Beach.

What you will do as County Extension Director:

• Lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate county faculty and staff.
• Foster an inclusive environment and build effective relationships with stakeholders, county government, community leaders, private sector clientele, media, government agencies, county residents, and UF/IFAS faculty, staff, and extension administration.
• Assembly and regularly consult an overall advisory committee reflective of county demographics and stakeholders to ensure that all county extension programs are important and relevant, and to effectively advocate for extension within the community.
• Assure that each county faculty member maintains an extension advisory committee in his/her respective subject matter and areas of responsibility.
• Prepare and defend the annual county budget that supports the Indian River County Extension Service office, and oversee, review, and approve expenditures for the department.
• Demonstrate resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, collaboration, leadership, and innovation to strengthen current educational programs while reviewing and implementing new policies, maintaining records, assessing risks, communicating, and marketing effectively across multi-media platforms, managing financial resources, and creating educational materials and opportunities for Indian River County.

What you will do as the Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent:

• Provide on-site technical assistance and teaching to facilitate the implementation of Best Management Practices for agricultural production and environmental protection.
• Teach Florida Department of Consumer Services (FDACS) certified courses to pesticide applicators and agriculture stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain an effective and diverse advisory committee to assist with program development and implementation.

• Collaborate with local agricultural producers, pest control operators, and UF/IFAS Research and Education Center faculty to help design, conduct, and evaluate studies (including demonstration trials and field visits) that assess pest and disease management strategies and other good agricultural management practices.
• Target programs to reflect the area’s population diversity and unique educational needs using a variety of program delivery methods.
• Develop community partnerships.
• Work as part of a team with local producers, organizations, agencies, and UF/IFAS colleagues to promote agriculture.
• Strategize extension educational events that also offer continuing education units (CEUs) relevant to target clientele licenses.

• Establish and maintain an effective system for accountability.
• Produce “extension-friendly” creative works and publications.
• Actively participate in professional societies (committees, leadership roles).
• Write an annual plan of work (POW) and report of accomplishment (ROA).
• Assume other responsibilities that benefit the total county extension program as assigned by the District Extension Director (DED) and County Extension Director (CED).

Further information:

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

Indian River County has a population of more than 160,000, an increase of 16% since 2010. (https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/indianrivercountyflorida/PST045219). The County is bounded by Brevard County on the north, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, St. Lucie County on the south and Osceola and Okeechobee counties on the west. Indian River residents enjoy the sub-tropical climate and ocean access. Indian River County Extension is part of the Southeast Extension District made up of twelve counties and the Seminole Tribe.

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!

Commensurate with Education and Experience

What you will bring (required):

• A master’s degree in animal science, agronomy, agricultural extension, horticulture, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university. We will accept applicants without a master’s degree if the degree will be earned by May 2022.
• At least 5 years of professional extension experience or equivalent.
• Strong written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills.
• Strong leadership and management skills working with a diverse community.
• Ability to establish solid partnership 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 work hours: willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

What you will bring (preferred):

• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience.
• Practical experience in south Florida agriculture.
• Outstanding management skills (coach, mentor, motivator, etc.).
• A strong commitment to community.
• Familiarity working in political settings.
• Experience creating a vision and getting buy-in from others.
• Evidence of exceptional collaborations, partnerships, and marketing with community agencies and groups.
• Experience working with multicultural settings and with underserved audiences.
• Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.
• Technological literacy necessary for communication and program management, including social media.

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

Apply at https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/520874 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 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.