Ag & Extension Division Manager​/County Extension Director and Extension Agent

Overview

Work Location:

1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221

Work Hours:

Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Applicants will apply through the link provided by the University of Florida (UF).

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 accessibility. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. 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.

We are looking for candidates with both academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, and innovate in a rapidly changing world. As a County Extension Director (CED) and Extension Agent, you will work jointly for UF/IFAS Extension and Manatee County. As the CED, (about 75% of your time), you will provide leadership and support for the total Manatee County Extension program, with an emphasis on integrating emerging technologies to enhance program delivery, data management, and the decision-making process.

The preferred academic program focus of this Extension Agent position is Natural Resources. Other program area specialties may be considered if they represent an identified gap in current Manatee County Extension education outreach efforts. This role provides the opportunity to make a positive impact on the Manatee County community as you work with Extension faculty, staff, Manatee County government, and stakeholders.

Please note:

The Extension Agent track is a permanent status accruing position within the Florida Cooperative Extension Service (FCES), while the Program Extension Agent track does not confer permanent status. The track followed by a successful candidate who does not currently hold permanent status in the FCES will be agreed upon by UF and the candidate and will depend on their current position and experience.

A successful candidate who currently holds permanent status in the Florida Cooperative Extension Service will follow the Extension Agent track. The programmatic focus of this position is Natural Resources and Conservation.

• Recruit, hire, lead, supervise, mentor, and evaluate county faculty and staff.
• Foster positive staff relationships and morale.
• Analyze fiscal needs and prepare and present annual budgets for the county department and University funds appropriated to Manatee County Extension.
• Ensure implementation of annual professional development plans for each county Extension personnel.
• Conduct performance evaluations as required by County and UF.
• Build effective relationships with stakeholders, county government, community leaders, private sector clientele, media, government agencies, county residents, and UF/IFAS faculty, staff, and Extension administration.
• Leverage data to identify opportunities for Extension program expansion and improvement.
• Promote the use of relevant data collection software and tools, enhancing the impact and efficiency of programs.
• Foster a culture of data-driven decision-making across Extension initiatives.
• Establish and maintain an advisory committee representative of the county's demographics and stakeholders to ensure Extension programs meet community needs and remain relevant.
• Provide support to each county faculty member maintaining an Extension program advisory committee.
• Lead faculty in developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs using Extension-based logic models and measurable objectives.
• Oversee efforts to ensure residents have equitable access to programs and services provided by Extension, including required annual documentation.
• Manage the Manatee County Extension office facilities in accordance with county management guidance and expectations.

• Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive Natural Resources educational program in cooperation with Manatee County and municipal governments, residents, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders, including program advisory committee members.
• Develop and implement educational programs that integrate emerging technologies to improve natural resource management, including the social, environmental, and economic impacts of programs.
• Utilize dashboards and reporting tools to provide stakeholders with accessible insights into program metrics, outcomes, and community impact.
• Collaborate with other UF/IFAS faculty, Manatee County departments, and partner agencies to help design, conduct, and evaluate studies (including data collection) that assess natural resources in Manatee County.

What you will bring (required):

• A master’s degree in an academic field, including Natural or Water Resources;
  Public Policy;
  Agricultural or…