Regional Specialized Extension Agent II - IV – Sustainable Land Development

Classification Title:

RSA & Ext Agent II - IV

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Candidates shall hold a master’s degree or 50% of hours completed towards a master’s degree along with qualifying experience or accomplishments.

Job Description:

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 seeks to fill a 12-month, permanent status-accruing Regional Specialized Agent (RSA) position in Sustainable Land Development in alignment with the goals of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) program. As the RSA, you will work with a variety of Extension faculty including those within the Center for Land Use Efficiency (CLUE) and external stakeholders to work with large land development projects and other communities to implement practices that are less resource intensive, follow the FFL principles and result in quantifiable impacts. This position will cover the Central Extension District, based at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, FL. The regional focus of the position will encompass central Florida.

General programmatic areas

This position will lead an extension program focused on addressing regional land development issues, emphasizing responsible resource use as it relates to economic advancement and environmental protection. Core areas include promotion of sustainable low impact development strategies, and the use of nature-based solutions that enhance the ecological value of urban landscapes, water conservation, implementation of green stormwater infrastructure. The agent will work across sectors to deliver science-based education and outreach, guiding communities toward practices that support resilient ecosystems and responsible growth.

Your extension program will cover regional issues associated with land development, specifically related to resource use within large scale master planned developments that are critical to economic development and environmental protection. Potential areas you can build an extension program on include:

• Promotion of Low Impact Development Strategies: Partner with local governments and developers to create and implement conservation programs or similar that demonstrate measurable impacts. Collaborate with UF/IFAS faculty and programs such as the Sustainable Human Ecological Development (SHED) cohort and FFL within CLUE to create science-based educational materials. Focus on sustainable land use practices that balance growth with resource conservation, reduce reliance on irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides, and enhance and protect wildlife habitat in urban areas. Provide education on emerging trends and collaborate with community partners to support long-term ecological health and responsible development.
• Local government programs: Often local government staff lack training or resources to deliver effective education programs. Examples include utilities and planning departments. Building relationships with these entities is important to helping them develop programs such as successful conservation programs that have measurable positive impacts.
• Protecting and enhancing water quality as related to urban development: For example, working with stormwater systems design and management; pond management; urban land management; with the goal of improving water resources within urban landscapes and mitigating the impacts of urban stormwater runoff. Work closely with other faculty such as the Central District Water RSA to enhance programs and prevent programmatic duplication.
• Implementation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure:_ Urban landscapes need to provide services such as aesthetics and recreation that are critical to human well-being. But current trends do not emphasize nature-based solutions aimed at enhancing the ecological services that urban landscapes can provide, including decreasing the need for resources (e.g., irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides) and improving wildlife habitat within urban areas. Promote the use of nature-based solutions in urban landscapes to enhance ecological services while supporting aesthetics and recreational needs. Facilitate the adoption of green stormwater infrastructure to improve stormwater management and safeguard water quality. Deliver practical education to stakeholders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for successful implementation of these sustainable strategies in urban environments.

Specific programmatic areas

Your extension program