Extension Agent I - III – Agriculture and Natural Resources (56317)

Location:
Perry, FL
Open Date:
Nov 15, 2019
Close Date:
Dec 6, 2019
Description:

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, horticulture, natural resources, youth development, families and communities.

University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Taylor County seek to fill a permanent-status accruing, full-time Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent position with a self-starting, energetic, team-oriented individual. As the Agent, your educational responsibilities will encompass strong leadership with respect to commercial agriculture and commercial horticulture (95%). Active participation in the 4-H Youth Development program in the area of expertise is also expected (5%).

As an educator, you will lead through the design, implementation, and evaluation of educational programming that meet the needs of the county’s diverse population. You will lead, manage, supervise, coordinate and report on the your county extension program while maintaining, fostering and building effective working relationships with your advisory committee, stakeholders, county government, community leaders, private sector clientele, media, government agencies, county residents, plus UF/IFAS faculty, staff and extension administration.

You will use resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovation to strengthen current educational programs while reviewing and implementing new policies, maintaining records, assessing risks, communicating and marketing effectively across social media platforms, managing financial resources, and creating educational materials and opportunities for Taylor County. You will occasionally assume other responsibilities that benefit the total county extension program as assigned by the County Extension Director and/or the District Extension Director.

This role provides the opportunity to make a positive impact in the Taylor County community as you work with extension faculty, staff and stakeholders. You will serve as a role model to the community.

Minimum requirements:

The successful candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in plant science, agronomy, horticultural science, or a closely related field. 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.

You must possess and maintain a Florida driver’s license and a pesticide applicator’s license. A flexible schedule that allows for irregular hours is necessary. Travel in and out of the county with overnight trips and irregular hours including some nights and occasional weekend work will be required. You must pass county drug and background checks and a physical exam.

Further information:

Taylor County is a coastal county in the Big Bend of Florida with approximately 50 miles of coastline. Waters along the coast are designated an Outstanding Florida Water and also National Seagrass Preserve. The County seat is Perry with a population of 6,800. Major industries include a paper mill (Georgia Pacific) and a host of associated industries and a contingent of Aluminum fabrication companies. The largest land holder in the county is Four Rivers Inc Which is the 2nd largest private land owner east of the Mississippi (560,000 acres) with timber production being their major interest.

At about 1,000 square miles, Taylor County is the 11th largest county in the state by land area. Timber, cattle, pasture and hay are major agricultural interests. Small broiler production facilities are scattered around the county (16 to 20 houses). A broad spectrum of hobby agricultural enterprises and horticultural interests exist, ranging from small ruminants to cold-hardy citrus production.

In addition to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent position, the Taylor County Extension office faculty include a full time County Extension Director/Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, a 4-H Youth Development Agent, and a Marine/Sea Grant Agent.

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.

Qualifications:

Minimum requirements:

The successful candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in plant science, agronomy, horticultural science, or a closely related field. 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.

You must possess and maintain a Florida driver’s license and a pesticide applicator’s license. A flexible schedule that allows for irregular hours is necessary. Travel in and out of the county with overnight trips and irregular hours including some nights and occasional weekend work will be required. You must pass county drug and background checks and a physical exam.

Preferred qualifications:

A master’s degree is preferred. Experience in creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience is highly desirable. Expertise in getting groups to work together for a higher goal, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations is a plus for this role.

You must be an effective written, verbal and listening communicator, feel comfortable presenting in front of small and large crowds, be able to establish solid partnerships, and find innovative ways to attract new audiences. Established residency in Taylor County is preferred, as it is expected that the agent will become a part of community life.

Application Instructions:

Apply at http://apply.interfolio.com/71539 by 11:59 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

The following documents are required and may either be submitted through the above link at the time of application, or sent separately to our office (below).

• Previous Employment Form (located at http://personnel.ifas.ufl.edu/prev_employment.pdf ).

• Unofficial copies of all transcripts and/or coursework of your academic degrees

• A minimum of 3 reference rating forms (located at http://personnel.ifas.ufl.edu/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.

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:

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

dlecuyer@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).

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.

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

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