County Extension Director and Extension Agent II IV – Small Farms and Livestock

Cty Ext Dir & Ext Agent II - IV

New appointees to any County Extension Director position must have a minimum of a Masters degree from an accredited college or university.

You Belong at a University thats 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 or the Florida Relay System at (TDD) or visit Accessibility at UF.

The Opportunity

The Florida Cooperative Extension Service is a partnership between state federal and county governments. County Extension faculty provide high-quality relevant research-based expertise and education to foster healthy people healthy environments and healthy economies. 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 seeking 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 agents academic specialty to design implement and evaluate extension programming to meet the needs of the countys varied population. This position includes programming with an emphasis on small farms in 1) sustaining and improving farm agricultural profitability and 2) improving farm and land management practices. Your role as an Extension Agent will account for 75% of time in your specific program area. All non-4-H Extension faculty members contribute 5% effort to 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:

• Provide leadership and delivery of educational programs related to small farms and livestock production and/or forage systems management based on Best Management Practices (BMP) promoting efficiency sustainability and environmentally sound principles for Santa Rosa County clientele.
• Provide excellent customer service for the small farm industry through various communication modes including online telephone email social media and face-to-face contact.
• Assist in community food initiatives community supported agriculture farmtoconsumer efforts farmers markets and Agritourism opportunitiesincluding FarmCity Weekby building networks and marketing strategies that promote agriculture and strengthen relationships among smallscale producers consumers and local decision makers in Santa Rosa County.
• Conduct needs-based assessments to assist you in developing programmatic priorities. This includes building an advisory committee who will assist you with program priorities and design to reach your audience.
• Collaborate with peers in Northwest District Program Implementation Teams to plan teach and evaluate virtual and face-to-face educational programs to meet clientele needs.
• Create strategies for program enhancement to include fee-based events sponsorships and grants and manage all components related to fiscal accountability (policies records risk etc.).
• Promote educational programs and engage with the community through various news media outlets including TV radio and print raising awareness of Extensions mission and horticultural expertise.

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 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 program in Santa Rosa County Extension 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 advisory 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:

Santa Rosa County is a Florida panhandle county extending from the Alabama state line to the Gulf of America. Its variety is markedly evident in its rapidly changing landscape and population - widely referred to as North Santa Rosa and South Santa Rosa. North Santa Rosa includes forests farmlands pasturelands Milton (the county seat) and several small communities. South Santa Rosa is known for its bustling tourist population on Navarre Beach and the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Santa Rosa County is also home to the Naval Air Station Whiting Field and a significant military population. The UF/IFAS Extension Santa Rosa Countys main office is in Milton with a satellite office in Jay.

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 in order 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 Floridas 67 counties.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

• A masters degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture animal sciences or related discipline.
• At least five years of professional Extension experience or equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• A commitment to excellent customer service.
• Evidence of exceptional leadership collaboration and partnerships with varied audiences community leaders agencies media and the public.
• Ability to possess or be able to obtain a Florida drivers license.
• Flexibility with working hours - ability to travel overnight and based on clientele availability occasionally work irregular hours including evenings weekends and overnight.
• Willingness to reside in Santa Rosa County or a directly adjacent county.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

• Previous CED experience or equivalent.
• Prior experience in livestock forage or agriculture-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 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.

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

• Cover letter that states applicants interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for 3 individuals willing to write letters of recommendation

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 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 and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events restaurants year-round outdoor recreational activities and social opportunities.