SSA & EXT AGENT II–IV

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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

UF/IFAS Extension seeks a State Specialized Agent II–IV position in Family and Consumer Science providing statewide leadership in Food Business and Entrepreneurship, supporting county faculty, entrepreneurs, workforce programs, and industry collaborators throughout Florida. As a 12-month, 100% Extension appointment, the role advances UF/IFAS Extension’s mission by strengthening economic decision making, viability, and growth opportunities for food and agribusiness entrepreneurs at all stages of development. This is a permanent status or permanent status accruing position for an Extension Agent II–IV, depending on eligibility. Candidates who have obtained permanent status in the Florida Cooperative Extension Service will retain this status. The position is located at the Southwest Research and Education Center in Immokalee.

Statewide Leadership and Extension Programming

• Lead or co-lead statewide Extension programs that increase the economic resilience of Florida’s food and agribusiness sectors.

• Educate food entrepreneurs and clientele about food and agribusiness planning and start-up considerations, marketing and management.
• Provide training to food and agribusiness entrepreneurs on market research and value-chain coordination, basic financial analysis, and business and market feasibility analysis
• Connect entrepreneurs with mentors to provide one-on-one business coaching to support informed investment, pricing, market entry, and scaling decisions.
• Work with county and state faculty to develop decision-support tools, curricula, and technical assistance to strengthen local program delivery in Family and Consumer Sciences and related food systems areas.

• Embed applied business and entrepreneurial analysis into statewide curricula and workshops to strengthen the economic impact and effectiveness of county level programming.

• Partner and leverage expertise of other faculty in the areas of regulatory, processing, food safety, and product development.

• Serve as a member of Initiative 5 (Food Safety & Food Entrepreneurship) and Initiative 1 (Food Systems) priority working groups, including participation on relevant Action Teams.

Resource Development and Grantsmanship

• Secure federal, state, and philanthropic grants that expand UF Extension’s capacity in food entrepreneurship and local food systems.
• Leverage in-kind resources and partnerships to expand program reach and reduce implementation costs.
• Support integrated funding strategies that align entrepreneurship, food safety, and food systems goals.

About UF

The University of Florida is a premier land-grant institution committed to teaching, research, and statewide Extension outreach that improves the quality of life for individuals and families throughout Florida. As a leading public university recognized nationally for excellence, UF provides an environment that supports innovation, professional growth, and high-impact scholarship. Faculty benefit from a comprehensive suite of employee resources designed to help them thrive personally and professionally, including health plans, retirement programs, leave benefits, and wellness offerings. Details about UF’s full benefits package can be found at https://hr.ufl.edu/benefits/.

About IFAS Extension

UF/IFAS Extension connects Floridians with university expertise to support informed decision-making, workforce readiness, economic stability, and resilient food systems. Through campus-based specialists and community-based faculty located across 67 counties and 12 Research and Education Centers, UF/IFAS Extension delivers research-backed education that helps individuals, families, and industry professionals respond to changing needs and emerging opportunities. The organization emphasizes practical, applied solutions that strengthen families, enhance economic wellbeing, support safe food production systems, and ensure strong and resilient communities across the state.

As part of this mission, Family and Consumer Sciences faculty empower individuals and families to make informed decisions related to food systems, financial management, health, food safety, and overall well-being. By translating research into accessible education, Family and Consumer Sciences improves household stability, strengthens community vitality, and supports economic opportunity across Florida. The program area is broad and interdisciplinary, encompassing food entrepreneurship, nutrition, consumer decision-making, financial capability, housing, and workforce readiness.

This position contributes directly to UF’s strategic commitment to innovation, professional excellence, and accessible education. As a State Specialized Agent, you will serve as a statewide leader and Extension resource who strengthens capacity among county faculty, engages industry and community partners, and advances economic resilience through applied business and entrepreneurship programming. You will collaborate broadly across UF departments, Research and Education Centers, state agencies, local governments, nonprofit partners, and professional organizations to ensure Floridians have access to reliable, high-quality education that supports long term success. Faculty in this role join a community committed to excellence, leadership, and meaningful statewide impact—ensuring that UF Extension remains a trusted resource for Florida’s families, entrepreneurs, and communities.

About the Southwest Florida Research and Education Center (REC)

The Southwest Florida Research and Education Center, located in Immokalee, serves as a regional hub for agricultural innovation and applied research and Extension supporting the needs of growers, businesses, and communities throughout southwest Florida. Positioned within a region known for its vegetable production, citrus, and expanding specialty crop industries, the Center plays an essential role in advancing practical solutions that help producers address economic, environmental, and workforce challenges. Immokalee is centrally located within a multicounty agricultural corridor and provides access to a wide range of farming operations, food enterprises, and supply chain partners that enrich the Center’s applied research and outreach programming.

The Southwest Florida REC is part of the statewide network of Research and Education Centers that complement county Extension offices by offering specialized facilities, laboratories, and interdisciplinary faculty expertise. The Center supports Extension through coordinated research trials, producer education programs, and technical assistance designed to strengthen agricultural systems and local economies. With office space available for this position, the Center will serve as the professional home base for statewide leadership in Family and Consumer Sciences with a specialization in food business and entrepreneurship. Its location provides proximity to emerging and established food enterprises, allowing the selected candidate to engage directly with entrepreneurs, Extension faculty, workforce development partners, and supply chain organizations across central and southern Florida.

Commensurate with Education and Experience.

Candidates must hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution in Family and Consumer Sciences, Food and Resource Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural Education and Communication, Food Science, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship, or a closely related field. Candidates may be placed at State Specialized Agent II, III, or IV based on experience and UF/IFAS Extension criteria.

Additional required qualifications include:

• Demonstrated ability to design, deliver, and evaluate educational programs.
• At least 5 years of land-grant university Extension or equivalent educational programming experience.
• A record of Extension, teaching, or equivalent outreach experience demonstrating strong applied communication and educational skills.
• Experience in small business development, food entrepreneurship, financial coaching, or related applied economic training.
• Ability to work effectively with community partners, state agencies, and interdisciplinary faculty teams.
• Ability to interpret applied research and develop educational materials.
• Strong organizational skills, the ability to coordinate training for large faculty groups, manage program data, and the ability to manage grants and budgets according to UF guidelines.
• Proficiency with digital tools used for Extension instruction, outreach, and reporting, such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, webinar platforms, social media tools, learning management systems, and UF/IFAS-approved reporting platforms.
• A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel throughout the region to meet programming requirements.
• Ability to travel statewide and work occasional evenings or weekends as required by programming.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.
• Successful completion of a Level 2 DCF background check due to youth involvement.

• A doctoral degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, Food and Resource Economics, Business Administration, Food Science, or other disciplines closely aligned with food entrepreneurship and economic development is preferred for this State Specialized Agent position.
• Demonstrated success securing grants, managing budgets, or coordinating multi‑partner initiatives.
• Experience designing statewide, regional, or multi‑county Extension programs.
• Experience working with food entrepreneurs, cottage food operators, commercial kitchens, or value-added‑ food ventures.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders across Florida’s agricultural and food enterprise sectors.
• A record of producing scholarly outputs.

Apply at Careers at UF by 11:55 p.m. (Eastern) of the posting end date, and attach:

• Cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above 
• Curriculum vitae 
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation 

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