Search for University Jobs in Agriculture

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is committed to creating an environment of inclusive excellence that affirms diversity across a variety of dimensions. We particularly welcome applicants who can contribute to such an environment through their scholarship, teaching, mentoring, and professional service. We strongly encourage historically underrepresented groups to apply.

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 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 Washington County are seeking a Regional Specialized Agent (RSA) to lead Commercial and Environmental Horticulture education through the design, implementation, and evaluation of extension programming that meets the needs of the county’s diverse population. The RSA will split time of 70% Northwest RSA and 30% Washington County. As the RSA, you will

• Mentor new Horticulture faculty to support horticulture program development, and Master Gardener Volunteer management, and professional development.
• Plan, teach, and evaluate educational programs for Northwest Extension District clientele involved in commercial horticultural enterprises such as vegetables, fruits, herbs, ornamental plants, cut flowers, sod production, pesticide applicators, landscape management, golf course, sports field maintenance, and agritourism.
• Serve as a Leader in Autonomous Commercial Horticulture Production, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Drone technology.
• Conduct annual faculty needs assessment related to online and face-to-face resources needed to teach residential and commercial horticulture topics.
• Collaborate with the Northwest District Horticulture Program Implementation Team (PIT) to design and create online and face-to-face teaching resources to meet residential and commercial horticulture clientele needs.
• Support Horticulture PIT through individual consultations, providing technical support for online programming, and program development and delivery.
• Cooperate with faculty colleagues on program delivery through consultations, technical support, and instructional seminars/workshops.
• Create common measures evaluation tools and templates for Horticulture faculty to evaluate program delivery, streamline annual reporting requirements, and aggregate district data.
• Create strategies for program enhancement to include fee-based events, sponsorships, and grants.

You will develop and foster a volunteer group of Master Gardeners to expand program scope. You will build an advisory committee composed of citizens and professionals that will assist you with program priorities and design to reach your audiences. You will obtain financial resources to support your programs and you will manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability). You will cooperate in interdisciplinary projects, provide service to schools, develop creative works (presentations, posters, website development, etc.), write non-technical people-friendly publications, and participate in professional societies.

This role provides the opportunity to make a positive impact in the Northwest Extension District and Washington County community as you help shape future generations. As such, you will collaborate with the County Extension Director and District Extension Director on other responsibilities that benefit the total county extension program.

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.

Further information:

The position will be based in Washington County which is a diverse Florida panhandle county of forestland and farmland, located in the center of the Florida Panhandle. Florida Panhandle producers raise vegetables, melons, sweet potatoes, fruits, nursery crops, and sod. The Extension office is located in the county seat of Chipley Florida.

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 Florida’s 67 counties.

Commensurate with Education and Experience

A master’s degree in horticulture, agricultural education, or a related field. Multiple years of Extension experience or equivalent are highly required. A flexible schedule that allows for irregular hours is necessary. You should be an effective written and verbal communicator, feel comfortable presenting in front of small and large crowds, be able to establish solid partnerships, and find innovative ways to attract new audiences. Your abilities to use computers, apply social media to your work, organize and motivate people, manage volunteers, and work in teams must be strong. Experience working in multicultural settings and coursework or training on multicultural topics are desirable. Expertise in getting groups to work together for a higher goal, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations is a plus for this role. A valid driver’s license, a national background screening, and a drug-screening test are requirements of this position.

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

ifasrecruitment@ifas.ufl.edu

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 dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.