Extension Agent I - IV – Commercial Citrus, Multi-County

Classification Title:

Ext Agent I - IV

Classification Minimum Requirements:

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

Job Description:

You Belong at a University that’s Leading the Way

The University of Florida (UF), the state's flagship institution, is a land-grant university comprised of teaching, research, and extension. The UF/IFAS Florida Cooperative Extension Service is committed to the core values of integrity, excellence, responsiveness, lifelong learning, and access. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) 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 .

University of Florida IFAS Extension and Polk County seek to fill a 12-month, permanent status-accruing Commercial Citrus Extension Agent position serving Polk and Hillsborough counties. As the agent you will develop, implement, evaluate, and report on a comprehensive Citrus Extension program. The focus areas include teaching the most effective strategies of citrus production by interpreting and applying current science and technology in the field. Areas of expertise include the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies; Best Management Practices (BMPs) for water quality and conservation; environmental stewardship in agricultural production; supporting sustainability of economic viability of citrus production; and other related topics.

There are more than 3.8 million boxes of citrus in production in Polk County, with a total of approximately 59,229 acres of citrus in Polk and Hillsborough counties—98% of which is in Polk County. As the citrus Extension agent, you will cultivate effective working relationships with citrus growers, citrus industry organizations, related state and local agencies, local and regional media, and regulatory agencies. The successful candidate will collaborate with state and county Extension faculty throughout the Southwest District and statewide, including Extension specialists, researchers, and other county Extension agents focused on citrus and other fruit crops. This includes faculty located at the Citrus Research and Education Center in Lake Alfred, FL, and other research and education centers involved in citrus-related research, and associated department faculty at the main University of Florida campus in Gainesville.

Your office will be located at the UF/IFAS Extension Polk County Office in Bartow, FL.

As the Commercial Citrus Agent, you will:

• Develop, conduct, coordinate and evaluate educational programs for citrus.
• Provide training in agricultural and horticultural best management practices for water resources protection.
• Provide guidance and educational programming on citrus pest management, including insect, mite, disease, and weed management.
• Deliver educational programs using a variety of approaches based on stakeholder needs, including but not limited to in-person consultations, workshops, seminars, field clinics, live-stream media, and virtual platforms.
• Develop creative and scholarly materials in support of programming, including multi-media presentations, fact sheets, blog posts, webpages, videos, abstracts, trade journal articles, and other categories of professional writing and production.
• Pursue extramural funding and in-kind program support in the form of grants, monetary awards, sponsorships, and revenue enhancement through program fees.
• Provide agriculture worker safety training for citrus growers and their employees.
• Provide continuing education units (CEUs) for certified crop advisors and other clientele.
• Utilize up-to-date technology in everyday work and in support of stakeholder needs in the field.
• Maintain an effective stakeholder advisory committee to assist with program development and implementation, including identification of priority issues.
• Provide support for citrus growers on other fruit and alternative crops grown in the area.
• Provide leadership for and assist with 4-H youth development citrus and fruit crop educational programs (5% assignment).
• Provide technical citrus support for Master Gardener Volunteer training.
• Actively collaborate with other Polk and Hillsborough Extension agents to implement interdisciplinary programs for agricultural awareness and