Extension Agent I - III - Family and Consumer Sciences

Ext Agent I - III

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, diversity, 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

As an FCS Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension in the Northwest Extension District and Leon County in the Florida Panhandle. You will be a full-time, permanent status accruing, faculty member of the University of Florida. We are looking for an energetic, team oriented, self-starter to lead educational programming in areas like human nutrition, health, wellness, financial management, community development, consumer education, and family development. Your Extension program will be based on the needs of Leon County clientele.

You will help shape future generations, demonstrate excellent customer service, and respond to clientele needs in a timely and professional manner. Your office will be located at the UF/IFAS Extension Leon County office in Tallahassee.

What you will do:

• Focus your research-based Extension education programs, activities, and events on healthy living and mental well-being.
• Plan, develop, teach, and evaluate educational programs to promote fiscal well-being like budgeting, financial planning, debt management, and wealth-building strategies.
• Plan, develop, teach, and evaluate educational programs to promote mental well-being, healthy relationships, effective communication, and conflict resolution.
• Identify and engage clientele in need of Extension educational services and programs.
• Use varied teaching methods to reach clientele including face-to-face, individual consultations, virtual platforms, and social media.
• Use computer technology, social media, and print outlets for marketing, communication, teaching, and program management. 
• Collaborate with peers in your county and district as well as professionals, government, and organizations in your county to create or enhance educational programs.
• Build and sustain an advisory committee composed of citizens and professionals who will assist with program priorities and design.
• Seek funding and in-kind resources to support your educational programs.
• Assume other assignments and responsibilities in support of the total Extension program as assigned by the County Extension Director and/or District Extension Director.

Further Information

UF/IFAS employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. UF/IFAS Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments with a mission of providing quality, relevant education, and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. We employ 375 Extension Agents, and we have an office in each of Florida’s 67 counties. We attribute our success to a workforce that embraces the contributions of people of all backgrounds and ability levels. The Extension Agent will be a contributor to a community that provides space for innovation, creativity, collaboration, growth, and development for all.

Leon County Extension is a grant county located in Tallahassee, the state capital with a population of more than 292,000 people in 116,530 households, with 40,701 youth between 5 and 18 years of age. In the Florida Panhandle, Tallahassee is also home to two major universities and a community college. Faculty members of Leon County Extension are expected to maintain a professional relationship and cooperate in programming with commodity groups, schools, governmental and community agencies, and organizations sharing common goals.

Employment is contingent upon the results of a national background screening.

In the event of an emergency, all employees considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties at the county or district level.

Candidates must have the ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license, be able to work flexible hours, and the willingness to occasionally work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel. Overnights with volunteers and youth and professional development travel is required.

Candidates will be reviewed as applications are received, but please be aware that interviews might not be scheduled until 4 to 6 weeks after the position closing date. Are you a good match? Apply today !

Commensurate with Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in family and consumer sciences, education, health and wellness, financial management, or a related field.
• Self-starting, energetic, and team-oriented mind-set.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness.
• Good organizational, development, and management skills.
• A desire to establish solid partnerships and reach people who would benefit from Extension services.
• Computer and digital media proficiency.
• A valid Florida Driver’s license or the ability to obtain one.
• Candidates must have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship. 

• A master’s degree.
  If hired with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to grow in your career. We require you to make at least 50% progress towards obtaining your master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment.
• Experience in creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the target audience.
• Expertise in getting groups to work together for a higher goal, ability to manage competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.
• Willingness to reside in Leon County because we want and expect you to be an active member of the community.

Apply at Careers at UF by 11:55 p.m. (Eastern) of the posting end date, and attach:

• Cover letter that describes how your experience and qualifications have prepared you for this position
• Résumé or Curriculum vitae
• Unofficial copies of all transcripts (showing coursework) of your academic degrees

The following documents are also required and may either be submitted through the above link at the time of application, or sent separately to our office (below).   

• Current and Previous Employment Form
• A minimum of 3 reference rating forms from your professional/academic references. Applicants are responsible for sending the rating form link to their references.
• Reference forms will be kept on file for 1 year and will be automatically used with any of our extension agent positions you apply for during that time.

Reference rating forms and unofficial transcripts not submitted at the time of application should be submitted/postmarked by the next business day after the position’s closing date. They may be submitted to:
UF IFAS Human Resources
Faculty Recruitment and Hiring
P O Box 110281
Gainesville, FL 32611-0281

[email protected]

Fax:  (352) 392-3226

Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible.  Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) .

Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.

The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.