Ext Agent I - II

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

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) is a Land Grant Institution with core values of Excellence, Discovery & Innovation, Inclusion, Freedom & Civility, Community, and Stewardship.

We hire the best. Varied views and experiences make us strong. We look for candidates with academic and people skills who work well in teams, honor their commitments, innovate in a rapidly changing world, and believe in opportunity for all. Working for Florida Cooperative Extension will allow you to positively impact your community as you help shape future generations, growing your career while earning a competitive salary and excellent benefits.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about positive youth development and ready to lead innovative programs that shape tomorrow’s leaders? As a 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent, you will work jointly for the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and Orange County, a fast-growing region in east central Florida.

We seek a self-starter who is energetic, team-oriented, and committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. This position focuses on:

1. Volunteer development – Recruiting, training, and supporting adult volunteers to deliver meaningful 4-H experiences.
2. Positive youth development – Collaborate with 4-H volunteers, fellow 4-H agents, and Extension faculty across program areas to design and deliver high-quality, engaging experiences that help young people thrive.

The position provides leadership across various youth development and educational focus areas. These may include, but are not limited to, healthy living and gardening, STEM education (such as horticulture, rocketry, and robotics), environmental education, and youth shooting sports (e.g., archery). Specific programming emphasis and responsibilities may be tailored between the agents to best leverage individual expertise and community needs. Additionally, the agent will coordinate the Orange County 4-H Junior Master Naturalist Program, supervise a 4-H Program Assistant, and work closely with another 4-H Youth Development Agent to deliver a dynamic, countywide 4-H program in Florida’s fifth most populous county.

What you will do:

• Identify and address youth development needs by designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs for youth ages 5 to 18.
• Utilize diverse delivery methods such as clubs, camps, school enrichment, and community-based programs to engage youth.
• Recruit, train, and support adult volunteers to enhance program capacity and reach.
• Collaborate with UF/IFAS colleagues and community partners to support interdisciplinary and locally relevant initiatives.
• Develop and share educational and promotional content to support program visibility and impact.
• Coordinate essential program administration, including planning, enrollment, compliance, record-keeping, and risk management.
• Oversee financial and resource management, including grants, sponsorships, and reporting.
• Engage advisory groups and local stakeholders to inform and strengthen programming.
• Supervise assigned staff and contribute to ongoing professional development and leadership efforts.
• Support the overall UF/IFAS Extension mission by assuming additional responsibilities as directed by the County Extension Director and/or District Extension Director.
• Adhere to all UF/IFAS Extension and Orange County policies and procedures related to program operations and administration.

Further information:

UF/IFAS employs more than 2,000 faculty and staff statewide. We employ 375 Extension Agents and have offices in each of Florida’s 67 counties. UF/IFAS Extension is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments with a mission to provide quality, relevant education and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. We attribute our success to a workforce that embraces the contributions of people of all backgrounds and ability levels. The Extension Agent will contribute to a community by providing space for innovation, creativity, collaboration, growth, and development. For more information on Florida 4-H, visit Florida 4-H Impact - Florida 4-H - the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences - UF/IFAS (ufl.edu)

Employment is contingent on a national background check and drug screening results.

Candidates must have the ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver’s license, be able to work flexible hours, and be willing 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 be scheduled 4 to 6 weeks after the position closing date. Are you a good match? Apply today!

Commensurate with Education and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in youth development, education, community development, or a related field.
  • Note: Candidates hired with only a bachelor’s degree must make at least 50% progress toward a master’s degree within the first six years of employment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal skills, and sound judgment in working with youth and adults.
• Ability to take initiative, work independently, and follow through on tasks promptly and professionally.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and balance multiple responsibilities in a dynamic environment.
• A strong work ethic and commitment to delivering high-quality, community-focused programming.
• A valid Florida driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one).
• Flexibility to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight travel.
• Ability to comply with UF/IFAS Extension and Orange County policies, including the Memorandum of Agreement between the University of Florida and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners.
• A commitment to the University of Florida’s IFAS Extension values: Integrity, Excellence, Responsiveness, Lifelong Learning, and Access.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

• A master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in developing and delivering educational programs for youth.
• Experience in managing and supporting volunteers.
• Skills in organizing events, managing projects, and working as a team.
• Experience creating educational materials, using technology in teaching, and managing program records.
• Experience with grant writing or securing program funding.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with Extension or other community-based education systems.

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 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 visit Accessibility at UF.