Ext Agent I - III

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 is seeking an Extension Agent in Collier County to lead Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) education through the design, implementation, and evaluation of extension programming that meets the needs of the county’s varied population.  You will collaborate with the County Extension Director and District Extension Director on other duties as assigned by them including multi-county projects.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent will:

• Plan, develop, build, implement, evaluate, report and provide leadership on a comprehensive Family and Consumer Science program focusing on health and healthy lifestyles for Collier County.
• Key educational program topics include:
  • Nutrition, food preparation (cooking), home food safety, food resource management and obesity prevention
  • Family financial literacy and financial management
  • Relationship skills
• Effectively and safely utilize the UF/IFAS Extension Collier County Residential Demonstration Kitchen for impactful nutrition, cooking, and food-related classes; and educational opportunities with other program area agents.
• Coordinate with Collier County Emergency Operations Management division regarding area specific guidelines for family emergency preparations and education.
• Coordinate with other appropriate Collier County Divisions to provide Extension education resources related to health and healthy lifestyles and serve as a resource for community.
• Support opportunities to work with community partners and initiatives to promote health with innovative shared programing.
• Deliver educational programs using a wide variety of approaches (e.g. tours, workshops, seminars, virtual programing, publications, and electronic media) to effectively reach community stakeholders of diverse ages, educational/experience levels, and learning styles.
• Promote, conduct, and foster education, involvement and communication to address issues, facilitate solutions and promote positive behavior change.
• Create, develop and confer with a FCS advisory committee to provide local guidance to ensure that the FCS program in Collier County is relevant with a high level of stakeholder engagement and collaboration with agencies and other partners to respond effectively and efficiently to priority healthy lifestyles and related FCS issues.
• Engage with and accept other duties as assigned or determined to be relevant and/or priorities to Family and Consumer Science education programs by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director including priority statewide initiatives and devoting a minimum of 5% time to 4-H youth development programs. (Please note that in times of emergency all Collier County Extension Agents serve in emergency function roles and may be assigned emergency support roles).

Further information:

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.

Employment is contingent on the results of a national background screening and other screenings required by Collier County government.

All Collier County government employees are considered essential.

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 392,000 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, these 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!

Commensurate with Education and Experience

A successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences, nutrition, dietetics, health education and wellness, or a related field. A flexible schedule that allows for occasional weekend hours, evening hours or out of county travel is necessary.    On point use of technology, software applications and social media skills are needed to accomplish the mission.

A positive, friendly and kind attitude is essential in providing science based resources to the community.  The successful candidate must have (or obtain) a valid Florida driver’s license. A national background screening is a requirement of this position. When shared county vehicles are not available, you will need to use your own reliable transportation, mileage reimbursement provided. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values. 

If hired with solely a bachelor’s degree, we want you to continue to grow in your career. As such, we expect you to make at least 50% of progress towards obtaining your master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment. (Candidates must hold a master’s degree to be hired as an Extension Agent II or higher).

Highly desirable are a master’s degree; professional experience in the field; excellent written and verbal communication skills; effective and comfortable presenter of research based knowledge with both small and large crowds, including educational food demonstrations; ability to establish solid partnerships, and find innovative ways to attract new audiences.  Expertise in getting groups to work together for a higher goal, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations is of assistance in successful completion of duties. Experience, desire and ability to work in multicultural varied settings; coursework and/or training on multicultural topics are desirable.  Spanish/English bilingual ability and familiarity with/or willingness to learn webpage design software and online tools in educational technology is a plus.

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

ifas-hr@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 Employment Opportunity Employer. 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, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

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.