County Extension Director and Extension Agent II - IV – Family and Consumer Sciences

Cty Ext Dir & Ext Agent II - IV

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, 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.

 Job Description:    

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 Santa Rosa County are looking to fill a permanent-status accruing, full-time Extension Agent position with a self-starting, energetic, team-oriented individual who will also serve as County Extension Director (CED). The educational responsibilities of this agent encompass strong leadership within the agent’s academic specialty and educational programming in Family and Consumer Sciences. Your role as an Extension Agent will account for 75% of your time in your specific program area and 5% of your time in support of the 4-H Youth Development program. Your role as CED will account for no more than 20% of your time.

What you will do as an Extension agent:

• Plan, develop, teach, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive community-based educational program to meet clientele needs in Santa Rosa County.
  Programming will be focused on improving individual, family, and community health and well-being. Programs may include mental health, healthy eating habits and lifestyle behaviors, chronic disease prevention and management, and/or financial well-being.
• Determine program direction locally through needs assessments.
• Collaborate with the local health department on relevant education and outreach programs.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with community agencies, leaders, businesses, and the public.
• Use varied teaching methods to reach clientele including virtual and social media.
• Use computer technology and social media for marketing, communication, teaching, and program management.
• Use resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovation to strengthen current educational programs and expand potential educational programs.
• Maintain an effective program advocacy committee with appropriate community representation.
• Write an annual plan of work (POW) and report of accomplishment (ROA).
• Work in the role of an educational first responder for Santa Rosa County and UF/IFAS Extension functions during natural disasters.

What you will do as a County Extension Director:

• Supervise, mentor, support, and evaluate county faculty members and staff members.
• Manage the business side of the UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County office including financial and compliance oversight, policies, and procedures.
• Collaborate closely with county administration to secure essential resources and support for UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County.
• Develop and follow a strategic plan focused on developing, supporting, and directing the vision of the total UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County Extension program and strengthening internal and external relationships.
• Collaborate with Santa Rosa County government, administration, and staff and UF/IFAS Extension faculty, staff, and administration.
• Collaborate with community leaders, government agencies, stakeholders, and media.
• Develop, lead, and sustain an informed overall UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County advocacy committee reflective of county demographics.
• Adhere to all University of Florida and Santa Rosa County government policies and procedures and provide leadership to faculty and staff for management of all program components.
• Collaborate with the District Extension Director and CEDs to strengthen outcomes and impacts of UF/IFAS Extension across the Northwest District.
• As requested, assume other responsibilities to benefit the total UF/IFAS Extension program and Santa Rosa County as assigned by the District Extension Director and County Administrator.

Further information:

Faculty in the UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa County office meeting the minimum requirements for CED are eligible to apply.

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

Santa Rosa County is in the Florida panhandle extending from the Gulf of Mexico to Alabama. Its population has grown rapidly and is 198,268 (2022 US Census Bureau). Its county seat is Milton located in the geographic center of the county. Other communities include Navarre, Pace, and Gulf Breeze. Santa Rosa County is known for its beautiful beaches, tourism, vibrant farming communities, and military ties. In addition to the CED, there are six UF/IFAS Extension faculty positions in the programmatic areas of 4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Commercial Horticulture, Environmental Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Sea Grant/Marine Science, and five support staff members.

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.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

What you will bring (required):

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in family and consumer sciences, nutrition, health and wellness, public health, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of professional Extension experience or equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to excellent customer service.
• Ability to possess or be able to obtain a Florida driver’s license.
• Flexibility with working hours - ability to travel overnight and, based on clientele availability, occasionally work irregular hours including evenings, weekends, and overnight.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

What you will bring (preferred):

• Previous CED experience or equivalent.
• Prior experience in health-related Extension programs and/or experience as an Extension agent or equivalent.
• Expertise in crafting a collaborative team environment that promotes achieving goals, managing competing priorities, and adapting to unexpected situations.
• Experience in leading and managing office operations, budgeting, and fiscal management.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers and supporting other team members in volunteer management.
• A strong commitment to education and leadership in county-level initiatives.
• Technological literacy necessary for communication, marketing, and program management functions such as using social media, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, and other software.
• Outstanding people management skills (coach, mentor, motivator, etc.).
• Leadership and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity navigating in political settings.
• Experience creating a vision, getting buy-in from others, and crafting an environment where others are valued and feel valued.
• Evidence of exceptional leadership, collaboration, and partnerships with a broad range of audiences, community leaders, agencies, media, and the public.

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 Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations, genetic information, and veteran status in all aspects of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotion, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

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.