Extension Agent I – Rural Community Health

Classification Title:

Ext Agent I

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 .

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 and Putnam County seek to fill a 12-month, permanent status-accruing Rural Community Health Extension Agent position. As the Agent, you will provide direction and leadership to develop, implement, evaluate, and report on a comprehensive health extension program. The focus areas will be human nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and improving individual and community health and well-being. You will empower individuals and families to adopt healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviors that can prevent or delay the onset of chronic illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. You will also deliver programs that improve individual and community health outcomes and help navigate pathways for access to appropriate health care for rural and underserved communities in Putnam County.

What you will do:

• Design, teach, evaluate, and report on community-based educational programs focused on human nutrition, healthy lifestyles and preventive care. 
• Implement programs and provide services that reflect the varied needs of the community.
• Manage volunteer systems and extend educational efforts through these systems.
• Collaborate with local media outlets to promote and disseminate educational information.
• Establish an advisory committee of citizens and professionals to analyze the County situation, identify priority issues, and assist with program design to reach priority populations.
• Manage financial resources to support extension programs.
• Manage program components including program policies, records, risk management, communication, and educational materials.
• Establish and maintain an effective system for accountability and public information to all relevant individuals, groups, organizations, and agencies.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with community agencies and leaders, businesses, and the general public on nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
• Prioritize programming efforts based on the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) Community Health Assessment for Putnam County and collaborate with the local health department on relevant education and outreach programs.
• Develop effective working relationships with the 4-H Youth Development program.
• Following all University of Florida and Putnam County policies and procedures.

As a University of Florida faculty member, you will work to acquire grants and in-kind support, lead interdisciplinary efforts, develop creative works (presentations, fact sheets, posters, webpage tools), engage in social media platforms for professional outreach, write non-technical educational materials for clientele, and pursue academic excellence in professional associations.  You will assume other responsibilities as assigned by the County Extension Director or District Extension Director.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to collaborate with community agencies, governmental entities, and individual community leaders in collaborations and partnerships. You must have the ability and desire to work effectively with culturally, ethnically, and socioeconomically varied audiences. You will create a report of accomplishment (ROA)/plan of work (POW) annually, and you will be expected to attain permanent status and promotion per UF/IFAS guidelines.

Further information:

Employment is contingent on the results of a drug screening and background check as required by Putnam County government and the University of Florida.

Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. As such, all partners a