Open Position: Sustainable Food Systems Extension Agent-Collier County

I'm pleased to announce that the UF/IFAS Extension office in Collier County has an opening for a Sustainable Food Systems Extension Agent I, II or III.

 

Applicants can apply  through UF's GatorJobs at the following link:

https://jobs.ufl.edu/postings/65990

 

The closing date for this position is June 9th or until filled.

Please share with anyone you think might be interested in the position.

 

University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Collier County seek to fill a 12-month, permanent status-accruing Sustainable Food Systems Extension Agent position. This agent will plan, organize, develop, implement, teach, evaluate, and report on community outreach programs that focus on sustainable food systems and agricultural practices including production, harvesting, packaging, and marketing in Collier County. The successful candidate will coordinate partnerships and teach clientele (e.g., land owners, farmers, schools, entrepreneurs, community organizations, citizens, industry groups and local and state government agencies) how to create urban-rural community economic opportunities that support and strengthen Collier County’s agricultural industries and local food systems. Example duties include but are not limited to the following:
• Provide technical assistance, training, outreach, and facilitative support for food entrepreneur operations associated with Collier County’s Agribusiness Accelerator.
• Enhance the social relationships between farmers and consumers and keep local agricultural economies viable by assisting the establishment of community-supported agriculture, community gardens, farmers markets, agri-tourism opportunities, and other marketing efforts.
• Partner with schools to initiate school gardens, and/or strengthen existing farm-to-school initiatives.
• Use traditional and innovative educational methods to teach target audiences sustainable agricultural practices, procedures, techniques, and skills that will ultimately result in positive behavioral and/or practice change.
• Work with established food systems, small farms/alternative enterprises and state/regional specialized extension faculty to identify programming needs and opportunities.

Candidates must have excellent communication, teaching, and facilitation skills and must be able to create and maintain resource networks. Essential elements of the job include creativity, ability to make sound judgments, project management expertise, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work well within a team of professionals. Candidates must show demonstrated skills using the internet and various web-based tools in education programs.

The agent will be expected to establish a strong local advisory committee and to develop good media relations. The agent will work with agencies and organizations to acquire grants and in-kind contributions, assist with or lead cooperative/interdisciplinary projects, provide service to schools, develop creative works (presentations, posters, website development, etc.), write non-technical user-friendly publications, and participate in professional societies. The agent will be expected to attain promotion and permanent status per state faculty guidelines. He or she will be expected to participate in appropriate in-service training to stay abreast of industry and community needs, and be familiar with county, state, and federal regulations and statutes governing agriculture and food systems including, but not limited to food safety, food processing, and product development.

Collier County is a major agricultural county along the Florida Gulf Coast, consisting of more than 2,000 square miles including part of the Florida Everglades. The county has a population of more than 339,000 with projected growth for several decades. The sub-tropical climate of Collier makes it ideal for many different commercial agricultural enterprises. Main agricultural commodities include ornamental plants, cattle, vegetables, and citrus. The location, natural diversity, and climate also make Collier County an excellent recreational and tourist destination for over 1 million visitors each year.

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.

 

 

Bryan Fluech

Collier County Extension Director/Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent

University of Florida/IFAS Extension

14700 Immokalee Rd

Naples, FL 34120

Office: (239) 252-4800

Fax: (239) 252-4822

Cell: (239) 438-5594

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