Extension Agent I - III - Commercial and Environmental Horticulture

Ext Agent I - III

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 Jackson County. We seek a self-starting, energetic, and team-oriented individual with skills teaching diverse audiences. The Agent will lead environmental horticulture education through the design, implementation, and evaluation of extension programming that meets the needs of the county’s diverse population. The Agent will spend about half of their time on commercial horticultural programs and about half on residential horticulture programs, including leadership of the Jackson County Master Gardener Volunteer program. This role provides the opportunity to make a positive impact in the Jackson County community as you help shape future generations. As such, you will collaborate with the County Extension Director and District Extension Director on other responsibilities that benefit the total county extension program.

The candidate will be able to:

• Work as part of a team of Extension Agents from neighboring counties that collaborates to measure the impacts of educational programs on 1) Best Management Practices (BMPs) to promote sustainability and conservation of resources in support of commercial and residential vegetable, fruit, citrus, nut, ornamental nursery, and sod production systems; and 2) promotion and implementation of Florida Friendly Landscaping.
• Develop and foster a volunteer group of Master Gardeners to expand program scope.
• Build an advisory committee composed of citizens and professionals to assist with program priorities and design to reach target audiences.
• Obtain financial resources to support your programs and manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability).
• Cooperate on interdisciplinary projects.
• Develop creative works (presentations, posters, website development, etc.) and write non-technical people-friendly publications.
• Participate in professional academic societies.

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 to provide quality, relevant education and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. We employ 375 Extension Agents and 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 contribute to a community that provides space for innovation, creativity, collaboration, growth, and development for all.

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

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.

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

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

• A bachelor’s degree in horticulture or a related field. We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned by June 2023. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to advance 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.
• Working knowledge of horticultural best management practices including plant and pest identification, diagnostics, nutrient and fertilizer management, soils, irrigation, and integrated pest management.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• A strong commitment to customer service.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and balance diverse responsibilities.
• A commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) guidelines of UF/IFAS Extension.

• A master’s degree in a field applicable to the position.
• Experience creating educational curricula, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for adults and youth.
• Experience working in multi-cultural settings.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers.
• Ability to use a variety of educational methods, including computer technology-enhanced and technology-based instruction to reach diverse audiences.
• Ability to apply social media to your work.
• Ability to work in teams.
• Ability to market and evaluate educational programs.
• Experience obtaining extramural funding.
• Excellent organizational skills and good record-keeping techniques.

Apply at Careers at UF 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
• A minimum of 3 reference rating forms from your professional/academic references. Applicants are responsible for sending the rating form link to their 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:

UF IFAS Human Resources
Faculty Recruitment and Hiring
P O Box 110281
Gainesville, FL 32611-0281

[email protected]

Fax: (352) 392-3226

Selected candidate will be required to provide an 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).

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.