Extension Agent I - IV – Commercial Citrus, Multi-County

About the role

The University of Florida (UF), the state's flagship institution, seeks a 12-month, permanent status-accruing Commercial Citrus Extension Agent to serve Polk and Hillsborough counties. The agent will develop, implement, evaluate, and report on a comprehensive Citrus Extension program focusing on citrus production, IPM strategies, BMPs for water quality and conservation, environmental stewardship, and other related topics.

Responsibilities

• Develop, conduct, coordinate and evaluate educational programs for citrus.
• Provide training in agricultural and horticultural best management practices for water resources protection.
• Provide guidance and educational programming on citrus pest management, including insect, mite, disease, and weed management.
• Deliver educational programs using a variety of approaches based on stakeholder needs, including but not limited to in-person consultations, workshops, seminars, field clinics, live-stream media, and virtual platforms.
• Develop creative and scholarly materials in support of programming, including multi-media presentations, fact sheets, blog posts, webpages, videos, abstracts, trade journal articles, and other categories of professional writing and production.
• Pursue extramural funding and in-kind program support in the form of grants, monetary awards, sponsorships, and revenue enhancement through program fees.
• Provide agriculture worker safety training for citrus growers and their employees.
• Provide continuing education units (CEUs) for certified crop advisors and other clientele.
• Utilize up-to-date technology in everyday work and in support of stakeholder needs in the field.
• Maintain an effective stakeholder advisory committee to assist with program development and implementation, including identification of priority issues.
• Provide support for citrus growers on other fruit and alternative crops grown in the area.
• Provide leadership for and assist with 4-H youth development citrus and fruit crop educational programs (5% assignment).
• Provide technical citrus support for Master Gardener Volunteer training.
• Actively collaborate with other Polk and Hillsborough Extension agents to implement interdisciplinary programs for agricultural awareness and local Extension program marketing and awareness.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in citriculture, horticultural science, plant science, perennial crop science, or a closely related field.
• A master’s degree is desired but not required if hired at Extension Agent I level. To be hired as an Extension Agent II, at least 50% of a master’s degree is required. Extension Agent III or IV must have an earned master’s degree.
• Minimum of five years of field experience in citrus, horticulture, or other fruit crops production, Extension, research, or teaching, including experience working with HLB-endemic citrus crops.
• Ability to acquire a restricted-use pesticide license for agricultural tree crops.
• Demonstrated skills and abilities in the following:
• Excellent command of English grammar and vocabulary as evidenced in writing and oral communication skills.
• Responsiveness in a timely and professional manner.
• Self-directed with minimal daily supervision, setting own calendar and prioritizing projects and tasks.
• Flexibility with work hours, with expectation of working evenings, occasional weekends, and overnight travel for professional development and industry events.

Qualifications

• A valid and active State of Florida driver's license by the time of hire.
• Willingness to commit to the UF core values.

Preferred

• A Master of Science degree in an academic area as mentioned above; required if hired at the Agent III or above level.
• An agricultural tree crop restricted-use public pesticide license.