Extension Assistant Professor - Natural Resources Leadership Institute (NRLI)

Job Description

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is creating an environment that affirms community across all dimensions. The Natural Resources Leadership Institute’s (NRLI) mission is to prepare and support a broad network of leaders who use collaborative approaches, bridge differences, and sustainably manage and protect Florida’s natural resources. NRLI is a professional development and leadership institute that offers training, mentoring, and facilitation.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver innovative content and instruction during educational modules.
• Help develop new curricula and approaches.
• Keep NRLI up-to-date on current issues and develop innovative programming that supports the NRLI mission.
• Support and strengthen existing partnerships within and outside of UF, including among NRLI alumni.
• Foster new partnerships with internal and external groups and institutions to increase the program’s impact, visibility, relevance, and clientele variety.
• Design, deliver, and evaluate facilitation activities, including but not limited to meetings, retreats, and multi-stakeholder processes related to NRLI’s mission.
• Mentor/advise alumni and partners seeking support when conducting their own facilitation activities.
• Teach a graduate and/or undergraduate course in the candidate’s expertise such as conflict management, collaborative decision-making, facilitation, and related subjects.

Background Information

The University of Florida is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 Research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties (counties operate and maintain).

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. (foreign equivalent acceptable) or equivalent highest degree and a minimum of 3 years’ experience is required. Experience includes demonstrated skills in two or more of the following: stakeholder engagement, experiential instruction, group facilitation, conflict management, mediation, and/or partnership development. Familiarity with natural resource issues and/or management. Evidence of ability to work both cooperatively and as a leader. Candidate must be willing to travel extensively, typically within Florida, and drive long distances. Travel may be outside of normal working hours.
• Candidate must be supportive of the mission of the Land-Grant university system. Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values.

Preferred Qualifications

• A graduate of NRLI or a similar program.
• 10 or more years’ experience.
• International and/or multicultural experience.
• Experience outside of academic settings.

Special Instructions to Applicants

For full consideration, candidates should apply and submit materials by June 16, 2026. The position will remain open until a viable applicant pool is determined. Employment Conditions This position is available July 1st 2026, and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant. Nominations Nominations are welcome. Nominations need to include the complete name and address of the nominee. This information should be sent to: Please refer to Requisition # 539587 Joy Hazell, Director Florida Natural Resources Leadership Institute School of Forest, Fisheries and Geomatics Sciences 2311 Mowry Rd PO Box 110750 Gainesville, FL 32611 Phone: 305.978.9274 Electronic Mail: jhazell@ufl.edu

Application Information

Individuals wishing to apply should go online to Careers at UF and submit:

• A cover letter that states applicant’s interest in the position and qualifications relative to the credentials listed above
• A curriculum vitae
• Contact information (including email addresses) for three individuals willing to write letters of recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts

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).

Health Assessment Required

No