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Extension Agent I - III - Commercial and Environmental Horticulture

Work type: Permanent Status Faculty

Categories: Biology/Life Science, Agricultural Sciences

Department: 60351046 - AG-OKALOOSA

Classification Title:

Ext Agent I - III

Classification Minimum Requirements:

Candidates shall hold a master’s degree and/or bachelor’s degree with relevant experience and accomplishments.

Job Description:

The University of Florida (UF), the state's flagship institution, is a land-grant university comprised of teaching, research, and extension. The UF/IFAS Florida Cooperative Extension Service is committed to the core values of integrity, excellence, responsiveness, lifelong learning, and access. 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 visitAccessibility at UF (https://admin.hr.ufl.edu/compliance/disability-services/) .

We hire the best. A range of perspectives and experiences makes us strong. We look for candidates with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, innovate in a rapidly changing world, and value respect for all individuals. Working for Florida Extension will allow you to make a positive impact in your community as you help shape future generations, growing your career while earning a competitive salary and great benefits.

University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Okaloosa County seek to fill a permanent-status accruing, full-time Extension Agent position with a self-starting, energetic, team-oriented individual. The educational responsibilities of this position encompass strong leadership with respect to the Horticulture program, including the includingFlorida Friendly Landscaping (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/) programs (FFL), and Green Industries Best Management PracticesGI-BMP (https://gibmp.ifas.ufl.edu/) (70%), and educating clients to prepare for obtaining pesticide application licenses (25%). The additional 5% of time is dedicated to support of the 4-H youth program through horticulture work coordinated with the 4-H Agent.

What you will do:

As a Commercial and Environmental Horticulture Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension in the Northwest Extension District and Okaloosa County in the Florida panhandle. We are looking for an individual that is a self-starting, energetic, and team-oriented leader to:

+ Plan, develop, implement, teach, evaluate, and report on comprehensive horticulture extension and education programs addressing issues of importance to local stakeholders. Programs will emphasize FLL and GI-BMP practices. Stakeholders include landscape and nursery professionals, local government, public and private organizations and educational institutions, and other public adult and youth audiences.

+ Develop extension programs and activities that facilitate the transfer of science and science-based tools, technologies and information to support commercial and environmental horticulture, for businesses and communities in Okaloosa County, including in partnership with key stakeholder associations and organizations.

+ Develop and maintain professional relationships with various landscaping and nursery businesses, and other stakeholders.

+ Collaborate with the program assistant to support educational programming.

+ Create, develop, and confer with an Okaloosa County horticulture advisory committee to provide local guidance, ensuring that the local horticulture program is relevant with a high level of stakeholder engagement.

+ Collaborate with agencies and other partners to respond effectively and efficiently to priority issues.

+ Participate in at least one horticulture priority workgroup or action team and contribute to regional and statewide extension education programs that are relevant to Okaloosa County and local stakeholders.

+ Collaborate with the County Extension Director and other horticulture extension agents 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 Okaloosa County as assigned by the District Extension Director and County Administrator.

Further information:

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

Okaloosa County, Florida is located in the northwestern region of the state, along the scenic Emerald Coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The county seat is Crestview, and the largest municipality is Fort Walton Beach. Okaloosa County covers a total area of approximately 1,082 square miles, of which about 930 square miles are land and 152 square miles are water. The county features more than 30 miles of coastline, including some of Florida’s most pristine white-sand beaches and popular coastal communities such as Destin and Okaloosa Island.

As of the 2023 U.S. Census estimate, Okaloosa County has a population of approximately 221,700 residents. It is part of the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin Metropolitan Statistical Area and is known for its strong military presence, thriving tourism industry, and varied economic base. With its mix of coastal and inland communities, Okaloosa County offers a high quality of life, a strong commitment to education, and growing opportunities for agriculture, horticulture, and environmental stewardship.

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.

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Required Qualifications:

+ A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in horticulture, or a related field.

+ 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, willingness to occasionally work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

+ Candidates must also have a commitment toUF core values (https://www.ufl.edu/about/core-values/) .

Preferred:

+ Previous Extension experience or equivalent.

+ Experience in horticulture industry.

+ Experience in budgeting, and grant management.

+ A strong commitment to education and leadership.

+ Technological literacy necessary for communication, marketing, and program management functions.

+ Outstanding people management skills (coach, mentor, motivator, etc.).

+ Leadership and problem-solving skills.

+ Proven ability to develop and communicate a compelling vision, and to engage stakeholders in support of shared goals.

+ Evidence of exceptional collaborations, partnerships, and marketing with the public, community leaders, agencies, and media.

+ Resident (or willing to relocate) to Okaloosa County.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Apply atCareers at UF (https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/535920) 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 requiredand 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 (https://forms.webservices.it.ufl.edu/ifashr/ifas-hr-previous-employment-form/)

+ A minimum of 3reference rating forms (http://hr.ifas.ufl.edu/assets/pdf/forms/ref\_form.pdf) 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 byNational Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) (http://www.naces.org/) .

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 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 visitAccessibility at UF (https://hr.ufl.edu/manager-resources/recruitment-staffing/institutional-equity-diversity/ada-and-accessibility-services-for-uf-employees-and-job-applicants/) .

Health Assessment Required:No

Advertised: 20 May 2025 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 17 Jun 2025 Eastern Daylight Time