Extension Agent I - IV - Florida Sea Grant

Ext Agent I - IV

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 .

Our mission in the Florida Cooperative Extension Service is to partner with communities to provide 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. Make a difference and join our Team to work on coastal issues, education, water quality improvements, and environmental restoration. Pinellas County needs your expertise and passion to be our Florida Sea Grant Agent.

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 (IFAS) employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. IFAS Extension employs 375 Extension Agents and has an office in each of Florida’s 67 counties.

As a Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Pinellas County. We are looking for an individual with skills in teaching varied audiences who will plan, develop, teach, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive marine/coastal resources education program (95%) and assist with our 4-H Youth Development program (5%).

You will be responsible for a program that provides public education and leadership to support economic growth and environmental sustainability with collaboration and input of industry stakeholders, county residents, local government, state, and regional agencies, and local IFAS Extension colleagues.

What you will do:

• Promote, conduct, and foster education, involvement, and communication to address issues, facilitate solutions and promote positive behavior change associated with the health of coastal and estuarine environments.
• Develop educational programs on topics such as coastal community resilience and stewardship; water quality issues; coastal ecosystem health and restoration; economic growth and development; invasive marine and coastal species; protected marine species; sustainable fisheries and best fishing practices; new or other initiatives.
• Create, develop, and confer with a Pinellas County marine advisory committee representing the community to provide local guidance, ensuring that the local Sea Grant program is relevant with a high level of stakeholder engagement.
• Collaborate with agencies and other partners to respond effectively and efficiently to priority coastal issues.
• Work with the Pinellas County local marine and coastal businesses, user groups, citizens, and other stakeholders including the public to ensure educational efforts align with local needs.
• Participate in at least one Florida Sea Grant work action group (WAG) and contribute to regional and statewide extension education programs that are relevant to Pinellas County and local stakeholders.
• Participate in the annual Florida Sea Grant Extension Program retreat and other professional development opportunities.
• Seek and compete for grants and other funding programs.
• Engage with and accept other duties as assigned or determined to be relevant and/or priorities to marine extension education programs by the County Extension Director and the District Extension Director, including related 4-H youth programs and priority statewide initiatives.
• Continuing learning, researching, collaborating, and experiencing local marine and coastal issues to provide research-based educational information and solutions meeting the needs of local stakeholders and stay current on new issues and environmental demands.
• Work collaboratively with County staff to maintain and support programming and a cohesive operation of the Weedon Island Educational Center.

Further information:

This position will be located at the Weedon Island Educational Center, our satellite location in St. Petersburg, Fl. The Weedon Island Preserve consists of approximately 3,000 acres, including miles of hiking and kayak trails, and the Educational Center, an 8,000 sqft facility that contains a classroom, auditorium, and interactive exhibit hall.

Pinellas County is located on the west coast of Florida. The county is bordered on the east by Tampa Bay and on the west by the Gulf of Mexico. The population of the county is approximately 900,000+. Major cities include Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Seminole, and Dunedin. Pinellas County is a varied and economically vibrant community and a major tourist destination with more than 500 miles of coastline. It is also home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Rays, and multiple other professional sports organizations.

Candidates must be willing to work irregular hours and weekends; occasional overnight travel is required. The candidate must be able to possess and retain a Florida driver’s license and must be willing to travel using personal transportation.

Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. As such, all partners are involved in the supervision of the office and contribute to the salary and support resources. The primary goal of Extension is to disseminate the latest knowledge and applicable technologies in agriculture, human and natural resources, and the life sciences to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. The UF/IFAS mission is accomplished through Extension faculty members, scientists, educators, administrative staff, and volunteers working cohesively throughout Florida’s 67 counties.

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 marine science, coastal sustainability, marine policy, fisheries, aquaculture, marine biology, or a closely related field. If hired solely with a bachelor’s degree, we want you to grow in your career. Therefore, you will be expected to make at least 50% progress towards obtaining a master's degree within 6 years of employment. (Candidates must hold a master’s degree to be hired as an Extension Agent II or higher).
• Professional experience in a marine-related field or equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal and effective communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and balance a variety of responsibilities.
• Ability to work independently and as a lead employee.
• Ability to read and understand directions while working independently and by yourself.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values of excellence, discovery & innovation, inclusion, freedom & civility, community, and stewardship. 
• A valid Florida driver’s license or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to pass a national background screening, a physical screening, and a drug screening.
• Flexibility with working hours; willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

• A master’s degree.
• At least 5 years of extension experience or equivalent.
• The ability to organize; and coordinate events; comfortably present in front of small and large audiences; establish solid partnerships; build professional relationships; use creative and innovative techniques to attract new audiences; use technology and social media to accomplish the mission; ability to write and compete for grants; lead teams to achieve goals; manage competing priorities; adapt to handle unexpected situations; work collaboratively with County staff.

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.