Extension Agent I - IV - Agriculture and Natural Resources

Classification Title:

Ext Agent I - IV

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, responsiveness, innovation, communication, and global reach.

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 Opportunity

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, horticulture, natural resources, youth development, families and communities.

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 positively impact your community as you help shape future generations, growing your career while earning a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Hernando County seek to fill a permanent-status accruing, full-time Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent position with a self-starting, energetic, team-oriented individual. If selected, you will plan, develop, conduct, teach, evaluate and report on science-based extension educational programs based on local input from an active advisory group you will maintain. All non-4-H Extension faculty members contribute 5% effort to the 4-H Youth Development program. Your office will be located at the County Extension Office in Brooksville.

As the Agent, your major program responsibilities will include agritourism, row crops, ornamental crops, fruits, vegetables, forage, and agronomic innovations. Challenges such as urban encroachment, water resource management, and environmental sustainability underline the critical need for an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent to provide research-based education and technical assistance.

What you will do:

• Use a variety of educational delivery methods to reach target clientele as well as conduct frequent farm visits, field trials, and on-farm demonstrations.
• 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 closely with local producers, advisory committees, and regulatory agencies to implement sustainable agricultural practices and statewide initiatives to conserve water and protect aquifers.
• Introduce technologies to enhance precision agriculture, natural resource management, and cost efficiency.
• Provide excellent customer service for the community through various communication modes including, but not limited to, telephone, email, online, social media, and face-to-face contact.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with community agencies and leaders, businesses, county government, media, and the public, and find innovative ways to attract new audiences.
• Seek, secure, and manage grants, contracts, or other funding and partnership opportunities to support the agriculture and natural resources extension program.
• Attend and contribute to professional meetings and in-service trainings, and actively seek out and attend professional development opportunities.
• Follow University of Florida policies and procedures and policies and procedures set by Hernando County government as deemed relevant. UF and Hernando County will provide leadership for management of all program components including program policies, records, communications, and educational materials.
• The successful applicant will work with the County Extension Director and District Extension Director on policies and guidelines related to this program area.
• Carry out