Extension Agent I - III – 4-H Youth Development

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 is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. 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. The candidate will conduct a comprehensive and diverse 4-H education program. The 4-H role focuses on 1) youth development and 2) volunteer development through collaboration with 4-H Extension faculty colleagues and other Extension program areas. 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 the Jackson County community in helping to shape future generations.

What You’ll Do

• Recruit adult volunteers to lead community and/or project based 4-H Clubs.
• Design, deliver, and evaluate educational programs to support 4-H volunteer identification, selection, orientation, training, utilization, recognition, and evaluation (ISOTURE: A Model for Effective Volunteer Management).
• Design, deliver, and evaluate educational programs to provide a developmental context for 4-H positive youth development (4-H Thrive Model).
• Ensure volunteer compliance with Florida 4-H youth protection policies.
• Build a diverse advisory committee who assists you in identifying resources (human, fiscal, material) and programmatic priorities to reach target clientele.
• Obtain financial resources to support programs and manage its components – Jackson County 4-H Association, policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability).
• Collaborate with the Northwest Extension District4-H Program Implementation Team (PIT) members by working with your peers to plan, teach, and evaluate virtual and face-to-face educational programs across the district or in multi-county settings.
• Possess or develop an area of expertise to share across the Northwest Extension District.
• Develop and maintain a social media and web presence including virtual program delivery and creating online educational content.
• 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.

Jackson County is in the Florida panhandle. It has a rural population of 50,000, with a K-12 population of approximately 9,716 youth. Currently five faculty members, four support staff, and one program assistant make up the Extension Office team. The Jackson County Extension office is located at the Jackson County Agriculture Office Complex in Marianna, FL.

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

Candidates must have the ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license, be able to work flexible hours, and 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!

Commensurate with Education and Experience

What You’ll Bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in youth development, education, community development, sociology, or a related field.
• Self-starting, energetic, and team-oriented mindset.
• 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.
• Candidates must have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship.

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 require you to make at least 50% progress towards earning your master’s degree within the first six years of employment.
• 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 Jackson County within six months of employment.

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

ifasrecruitment@ifas.ufl.edu

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. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.