Extension Agent I - IV – Family and Consumer Sciences

Ext Agent I - IV

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 Florida Cooperative Extension Service is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments that provides 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, natural resources, youth development, families, and communities.

University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Hillsborough County seek to fill a 12-month, permanent status-accruing Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Extension Agent position. As the Agent, you will provide direction and leadership to develop, implement, evaluate, and report on a comprehensive FCS extension program. The focus areas will be human nutrition, health, wellness, and food systems. You will empower individuals and families to adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviors that can prevent or delay the onset of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. You will also deliver food handler certification courses and provide food safety education to consumers and to public, private, and non-profit organizations.

What you will do:

• Designing, teaching, evaluating, and reporting on community-based educational programs focusing on human nutrition, wellness, and food systems to consumers and organizations.
• Implementing programs and providing services that reflect the diverse needs of the community.
• Managing volunteer systems and extending educational efforts through these systems.
• Developing good media relations to promote and disseminate educational information.
• Establishing an advisory committee of citizens and professionals to analyze the county situation, identify priority issues, and assist with program design to reach target clientele.
• Managing financial resources to support extension programs.
• Managing program components including program policies, records, risk management, communication, and educational materials.
• Establishing and maintaining an effective system for accountability and public information to all relevant individuals, groups, organizations, and agencies.
• Developing and sustaining partnerships with community agencies and leaders, businesses, media, and the general public on local food initiatives, nutrition and wellness.
• Developing effective working relationships with the 4-H Youth Development program plus other food system and nutrition programs in Hillsborough County.
• Commit to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship.
• Following all University of Florida and Hillsborough County policies and procedures.

You will assume other responsibilities as assigned by the County Extension Director or District Extension Director. As a Univ. of Florida faculty member, you will work to acquire grants and in- kind support, lead interdisciplinary efforts, develop creative works (presentations, fact sheets, posters, webpage tools), and write non-technical educational materials for clientele.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work with community agencies, governmental entities, and individual community leaders in collaborations and partnerships. You must have the ability and desire to work effectively with culturally, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse audiences. You will create an annual plan of work (POW) and a report of accomplishment (ROA), and you will be expected to attain permanent status and promotion per UF/IFAS guidelines.

Further information:

Employment is contingent on the results of a drug screening and background check as required by Hillsborough County government and the University of Florida.

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 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

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in family and consumer sciences, nutrition, dietetics, health & wellness, or a closely related field.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to customer service.
• Knowledge and experience in the use and application of information technology.
• Ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license.
• Flexibility with working hours; willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.
• Candidates must have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship.

• A master’s degree. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to grow in your career. Therefore, you will be expected to progress at least halfway towards obtaining a master's degree within 6 years of employment.
• Previous experience with family and consumer science extension programs and experience as an extension agent or equivalent.
• Experience creating educational curricula and developing instructional materials.
• Expertise in getting groups to work together for a higher goal, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.
• Experience working with culturally, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse audiences.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) ability.
• Experience in marketing, teaching, and evaluating educational programs.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers.
• 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

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.