Extension Agent I, II, or III – Commercial Horticulture (71237)

Location:
Naples, FL
Open Date:
Mar 5, 2021
Close Date:
Mar 26, 2021
Description:

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. 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 Univ. 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.

As an Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS and Collier County in leading commercial horticulture education programs. You will work with local managers of landscape maintenance companies, nurseries, golf course superintendents, and homeowner associations to develop educational programs that address needs of the commercial horticulture industry.  You will be expected to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clientele, community leaders, industry groups, UF faculty colleagues, related agencies, and the public. We are seeking applicants who can contribute to a multicultural environment through scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service.

Your role as the Commercial Horticulture Agent provides the opportunity to make a positive impact to shape future generations in the Collier County community. You will be located at the County Extension Office in Naples.

What you will do:

• Plan, implement, teach, and evaluate extension BMP (Best Management Practices) education programs and training for Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) pesticide licensing; fertilizing, pruning, and plant selection to sustain the local dynamic landscape maintenance industries; and county water conservation efforts.
• Assemble a strong and effective local advisory committee composed of a diverse group of citizens and professionals.
• Use your advisory committee to help establish program priorities to reach expanding, existing, and new audiences.
• Work with the Collier Extension Office’s Residential Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Volunteers to develop and promote Florida-Friendly Landscaping.
• Help develop and maintain demonstration gardens, including the fruit tree grove at the Collier County Extension Southwest Florida Horticulture Learning Center, and conduct programs and activities there.
• Collaborate with faculty colleagues on interdisciplinary projects.
• Seek appropriate grants and other revenue to grow your program.
• Develop creative works (presentations, posters, website development, evaluation, social media, etc.).
• Write non-technical/people-friendly publications.
• Participate in professional societies.
• Contribute to the 4-H Youth Development program in your area of expertise.
• Collaborate, share, and consult with the County Extension Director (CED) and District Extension Director (DED) for guidance and to accept assigned responsibilities including annual report of accomplishment (ROA) and plan of work (POW), performance appraisals, impact reporting, and specific county emergency management duties.

Further information:

Employment is contingent on the results of a national background screening and other screenings required by Collier County government (physical exam and drug screening including nicotine).

You will be required to acquire Pesticide Applicator and Instructor Certifications for Green Industries Best Management Practices within the first 6 months of hire.

Collier County is a major agricultural county along the Florida gulf coast, consisting of more than 2,000 square miles including significant Florida Everglades conservation areas. The county is larger than Delaware. The county has a population exceeding 389,000 with continued projected growth. Most of the population resides near the gulf coast from North Naples to Marco Island. Rural population centers include Everglades City (a small recreational fishing community) and Immokalee (a vegetable farming community). The sub-tropical climate of Collier County makes it ideal for many commercial agricultural enterprises including ornamental plants, cattle, vegetables, and citrus. The natural beauty, sandy beaches, unique environmental diversity, and desirable year-around warm temperatures provide Collier County residents with a healthy location. More than 1 million visitors enjoy a world class recreational and eco-tourism destination each year.

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!

Qualifications:

What you will bring (required):

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in horticulture or a related field with emphasis in landscape plant maintenance, entomology, pomology, and ornamental plant pathology. We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned by May, 2021. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to advance in your career by making at least 50% progress towards obtaining your master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment.
• A commitment to positive and proactive customer service, shown by timely and efficient response to clients.
• Strong oral and written interpersonal, communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and balance diverse responsibilities.
• Good record-keeping techniques.
• On point technology and social media skills.
• Ability to function both in a team and independently.
• A commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) guidelines of UF/IFAS Extension.
• 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.

What you will bring (preferred):

• A master’s or higher academic degree.
• At least 5 years of extension education experience or equivalent.
• Experience and/or training in landscape pest management, turf and ornamental production, and cultural practices associated with south Florida plants.
• An advanced entomology degree or background.
• Certification and experience as an arborist.
• Certifications for ornamental and turfgrass pest management.
• Experience working in multicultural settings.
• Coursework and/or training on multicultural topics.
• Ability to fluently communicate in Spanish.
• Expertise in leading groups to work together for a higher goal, managing competing priorities, resiliency, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.

Application Instructions:

Apply at http://apply.interfolio.com/84955 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
• Unofficial copies of all transcripts and/or 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.

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

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