60355050 - AG-PALM BEACH

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 University of Florida (UF) 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. 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 more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. UF/IFAS Extension employs 375 Extension Agents and has offices in each of Florida’s 67 counties. The Extension Agent will contribute to a community that provides space for innovation, creativity, collaboration, growth, and development for all.

The Opportunity

We are looking for candidates with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, and innovate in a rapidly changing world. This full-time permanent status accruing Extension Agent will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Palm Beach County. The candidate will design, implement, and evaluate agriculture safety  and pesticide  educational programs for Palm Beach County’s diverse agriculture industry (about 85% of your time). At least 5% of the candidate’s time will be devoted to youth education through activities related to your area of expertise supporting the existing 4-H Youth Development program. The remaining 10% of your assignment will consist of assessing and documenting the impact of all your programs on your community. You will demonstrate excellent customer service and you will respond to client needs in a timely and professional manner. Your office will be located at the Palm Beach County Extension Office in Belle Glade.

The candidate will be able to:

• Build an effective and diverse advisory committee to assist with extension program design, direction, and operation.
• Actively participate in professional societies related to your expertise to learn, share your work, and get peer recognition at the state and national levels – and even internationally.
• Collaborate effectively as a team member with colleagues in your county, district, and state.
• Uphold UF/IFAS Extension policies, promoting affirmative action, program development, and accurate reporting.
• Target programs to reflect the area’s population diversity and unique educational needs using a variety of program marketing and delivery methods, including in-person, site visit consultations, workshops, and deliberately focused virtual platforms such as webinars, videos, and social media to encourage the implementation of safety and compliance practices in agriculture.
• Create extension educational events that offer continuing education units (CEUs) relevant to target clientele licenses.
• Obtain financial resources to support programs and manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability).
• Create engaging content such as presentations, posters, websites, and social media accounts, making knowledge accessible to all.

Further Information:

Palm Beach County has a population of about 1.5 million. The county stretches along Florida’s Atlantic coast and inward, touching the southern portion of Lake Okeechobee and the northern edge of Everglades National Park. The main Extension office is in West Palm Beach, with a western office in Belle Glade about 5 miles from the UF/IFAS Everglades Research and Education Center . Palm Beach County Extension is part of the UF/IFAS Southeast Extension District comprising twelve counties and the Seminole Tribe.

Employment is contingent on the results of a physical examination, a substance screening, and a national background screening.

In the event of an emergency, all employees are 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 have the willingness to occasionally work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

Candidates must have the ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a pesticide license within 3 months of hire.

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

What you will bring (required):

• A bachelor’s degree in agriculture, plant science, entomology, or a related field from an accredited college or university . We will accept applicants without a bachelor’s degree if the degree will be earned by the first day of employment (anticipated April 2024). If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, you will be able to participate in the Employee Education program while working, and you will be encouraged to complete your degree within the first 6 years of employment. The minimum expected progress is earning 50% of credits towards obtaining your master’s degree within the first 6 years of employment.
• Strong listening, written, and verbal interpersonal and communication skills.
• Resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness.
• Willingness to develop and adjust your career goals with colleagues, mentors, and supervisors.
• Experience with digital communication.
• A commitment to positive and proactive customer service.
• Expertise in managing competing priorities and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship. 

What Would Make You Stand Out (preferred):

• A relevant master’s degree or higher degree.
• Professional certifications
• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for a diverse audience.
• Expertise in utilizing various educational methods, including technology-enhanced and technology-based instruction.
• Experience working in multi-cultural settings; bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.
• Excellent organizational skills and record-keeping techniques.
• Marketing and program evaluation experience.

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 diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.