Extension Agent I - III - 4-H Youth Development

Job No: 525378
Work Type:
Location: Sumter
Categories: RealCat
Department: 60353060 - AG-SUMTER

Job Description


Classification Title:

Ext Agent I - III

Job Description:

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 various 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 in Sumter County at the extension office in Bushnell. The Agent will develop and implement well-defined and integrated extension programs to meet community needs while demonstrating excellent customer service and responding to client needs in a timely and professional manner.

We seek candidates with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, and innovate in a rapidly changing world. We are looking for an individual that is self-starting, energetic, and team-oriented whose educational responsibilities include emphasis on positive development of youth ages 5 to 18. Programs should center on 4-H projects in agriculture and the national 4-H priorities of civic engagement (leadership and citizenship), healthy living, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). The selected candidate will be able to manage a volunteer system that supports the development and operation of the Sumter County 4-H program.

What you will do:

• Work as part of a team with local citizens, county/state extension colleagues, the Sumter County Fair Board, agencies, and organizations that are concerned with the needs and well-being of area youth.
• Develop, sustain, and monitor the effectiveness of a volunteer system to staff the 4-H program including recruitment, volunteer development, and evaluations/recognition.
• Maintain and lead an effective and functional county 4-H Association to guide program direction and represent community needs. (The 4-H Association could also serve as an advisory committee.)
• Deliver youth development programs through community clubs, special interest clubs, school enrichment, day and residential camping, and competitive events.
• Manage all program components including policies, enrollments and records, risk management, communications, and educational materials.
• Use a needs assessment to target programs reflecting the county's population, diversity, and unique educational needs.
• Possess or develop an area of expertise to share across county lines.
• Produce creative works, publish non-technical, reader-friendly publications, and participate in professional societies.
• Seek and manage financial resources to support 4-H programming and ensure all UF/IFAS financial management policies are followed.
• Follow all county, UF, and IFAS Extension policies regarding affirmative action, program development, and parity.
• Ensure that all Florida 4-H youth protection policies are adhered to including screening and training all 4-H volunteers.
• Complete an annual plan of work and report of accomplishment (including details describing your Extension program).
• Occasionally assume other responsibilities that benefit the total Extension program as assigned by the County Extension Director (CED) and/or the District Extension Director.
• Assist CED in quarterly progress of the 4-H Extension program assistant.

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 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 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.

In the event of an emergency, all employees considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties at the county or district level.

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!

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in youth development related areas, animal science, education, agriculture, or a closely related field. We will accept applicants without a bachelor's degree if the degree will be earned by May 2023. If hired solely with a bachelor's degree, we want you to advance your career by making at least 50% progress towards obtaining your master's degree within the first 6 years of employment.
• Leadership skills.
• Dedication to enhance the 4-H program.
• Strong oral and written interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and balance diverse responsibilities.
• A commitment to customer service and inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) guidelines of UF/IFAS Extension.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master's degree.
• Experience creating educational curricula, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for youth.
• Expertise in getting groups to work together to achieve a goal, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.
• Experience working in multi-cultural settings.
• Experience in marketing, teaching, and evaluating educational programs.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers.
• Experience using a variety of educational methods including technology-enhanced and technology-based instruction to reach diverse audiences.
• Experience obtaining extramural funding and financial management.
• Excellent organizational skills and good record-keeping techniques.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

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

Resume 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 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.

Health Assessment Required:
No



Advertised Salary:

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Preferred Qualifications
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Applications Close: $Closes

To apply, visit https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/525378/extension-agent-i-iii-4h-youth-development

The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training.





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