Extension Agent I - II - 4-H Youth Development

Classification Title:

Ext Agent I - II

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Candidates shall hold a master’s degree and/or bachelor’s degree with relevant experience and accomplishments.

Job Description:

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.

You Belong at a University that’s Leading the Way

The University of Florida (UF) is a Land Grant Institution with core values of unique purpose, excellence, integrity, collaboration and partnership, lifelong learning, responsiveness, innovation, communication, and global reach.

We hire the best. Varied views and experiences make us strong. We look for candidates with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, innovate in a rapidly changing world, and believe in opportunity for all. Working for Florida Cooperative Extension will allow you to make a positive impact in your community as you help shape future generations, growing your career while earning a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

The Opportunity

As an Extension Agent, you will work jointly for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and Osceola County, a growing area in east central Florida. We are looking for a positive youth development professional who is a self-starter, energetic, and team oriented. The 4-H Youth Development Agent focuses on 1) volunteer development and 2) positive youth development through collaboration with 4-H volunteers, 4-H Extension colleagues, and Extension colleagues in the other Extension program areas.

What you will do:

• Work with UF/IFAS and Osceola County stakeholders to identify needs, issues, and opportunities.
• Use traditional and innovative educational methods to teach target audiences, youth and adults, new practices, procedures, techniques, and skills which will result in increased knowledge and behavioral and or practice change.
• Develop, train, sustain, and recognize an effective volunteer base to support youth development.
• Design, implement, evaluate, and report on community-based educational programs focusing on volunteer and youth development for youth ages 5 to 18.
• Develop a comprehensive volunteer management strategy to ensure program policies, enrollment, record keeping, risk management, and experiential learning procedures are updated and effective.
• Deliver positive youth development programs through a variety of delivery modes including, but not limited to clubs, school enrichment, camps, and competitive events.
• Collaborate with all Extension program areas (Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture and Natural Resources) and volunteers on educational efforts that will facilitate positive management practices with significant and locally relevant impact.
• Manage program components including program policies, enrollments, records, risk management, communication, and educational materials.
• Develop an advisory committee to assist with program design, identification of client needs and priority issues, analysis of county situations, and development of program budgets.
• Work with Osceola 4-H faculty and staff to and provide leadership for the Osceola County 4-H Association.
• Provide excellent customer service for the community through various modes of communication.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with community agencies and leaders, businesses, county government, media, and the public.
• Seek, secure, and manage grants, contracts, and other funding and partnership opportunities to support the 4-H program.
• Develop and deliver age-appropriate subject matter education to 4-H youth and volunteers.
• Attend and contribute to professional meetings, in-service trainings, and actively seek out and attend professional development opportunities.
• Follow all Osceola County, UF, and IFAS Extension policies regarding Civil Rights, program development, and parity.
• Carry out other duties as outlined by the Osceola County Extension Director and the Central District Extension Director.

Further information:

UF/IFAS employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. We employ 375 Extension Agents and have an office in each of Florida’s 67 counties. UF/IFAS Extensio