Extension Agent I - III - Urban Forestry

Classification Title:

Ext Agent I - III

Job Description:

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 .

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 Opportunity

This full-time permanent status accruing Extension Agent will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Hillsborough County. The candidate will conduct a comprehensive Urban Forestry education program and outreach for the county's population. Also, at least 5% of the candidate's time will be devoted to 4-H Youth Development, emphasizing forestry and natural resources.

The candidate will provide teaching for and management of Hillsborough County urban forestry extension programs.

The candidate will be able to:

• Serve as a subject matter expert on arboriculture/tree care.

• Develop and provide education resources on strategies for urban forest and natural resources management in a growing urbanizing environment.

• Provide assistance to municipal and county governments to develop strategies and build the capacity to support the efficient and effective management of the urban forest and natural resources.

• Provide leadership, professional training, and guidance to arborists, landscapers, homeowners and natural resources managers.

• Build an advisory committee composed of citizens and professionals that will assist with program priorities, content, and design.

• Offer traditional in-person programs and site visit consultations.

• Develop program delivery strategies that include the use of deliberately focused virtual platforms such as webinars, videos, and social media.

• Work with agencies and organizations to assist or lead cooperative and interdisciplinary projects, both in the county and through multi-county efforts.

• Establish a working relationship with UF faculty and specialists to plan and develop extension education programs and cooperate on research projects.

• Obtain financial resources to support programs and manage all components (e.g., policies, records, risk, communication, and accountability).

• Cooperate in interdisciplinary projects and collaborations.

• Produce creative works and audience-friendly publications. Examples may include articles, factsheets, technical reports, and research publications.

Further Information:

UF/IFAS employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. UF/IFAS Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments with a mission of providing quality, relevant education, and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. We employ 375 Extension Agents, and we have an office in each of Florida's 67 counties. We attribute our success to a workforce that embraces the contributions of people of all backgrounds and ability levels. The Extension Agent will be a contributor to a community that provides space for innovation, creativity, collaboration, growth, and development for all.

Hillsborough County , with a population of 1.4 million, is located midway along the west coast of Florida. The county seat is Tampa, home of the NHL Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning and the 2021 NFL Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Extension office is located 10 miles east of Tampa in Seffner, near the intersection of I-75 and I-4.

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

In the event of an emergency, all employees considered essential personnel and may be required to perform alternate duties at the county or district level.

Candidates must have the ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver's license, be able to work flexible hours, and the willingness to occasionally work long and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and overnight travel.

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!

Expected Salary:

Commensurate with Education and Experience

Minimum Requirements:

• A Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry or closely related field.

• Experience in urban forestry.

• Self-starting, energetic, and team oriented.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.

• Resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovativeness.

• Good organizational development and management skills.

• Ability to establish solid partnerships and work in teams.

• Ability to use information technology and apply social media to extension work.

• A commitment to positive and proactive customer service.

• Expertise in managing competing priorities and adaptability to handle unexpected situations.

• A commitment to UF core values.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A master's degree. If hired solely with a bachelor's degree, we want you to continue to grow in your career. As such, we expect you to make at least 50% progress towards obtaining your master's degree within the first 6 years of employment.

• To be hired as an Extension Agent II, III, or IV the candidate must hold a master's degree,

• Technical expertise in urban forest management.

• Practical experience in urban forest management, extension, and teaching.

• Experience managing and engaging stakeholders and volunteers to achieve common goals.

• Experience with group facilitation, conflict resolution and consensus building.

• Experience creating lesson plans, developing instructional materials, and applying teaching methods appropriate for the audience.

• Certified arborist, pesticide applicator and pesticide instructor certifications.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

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

ifas-hr@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. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

Health Assessment Required: No