Associate Director of County Logistics for County Relations and Extension Agent III-IV or Program Extension Agent III-IV

University of Florida • In the State of Florida, FL

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Statewide Associate Director of County Logistics serves as a principal relationship manager between UF/IFAS Extension Administration and Florida’s county governments. Reporting to the Director of County Logistics, this position provides statewide leadership in strengthening partnerships with county administrators, county commissioners, constitutional officers, County Extension Directors, and other local-government leaders. The position advances Community Resource Development by building the organizational capacity, leadership practices, collaborative networks, and public understanding necessary to support strong communities and sustainable county-university partnerships. The Associate Director provides executive-level consultation, anticipates emerging county concerns, supports resolution of complex relationship matters, and communicates the public value of Extension programming. This position works closely with County Extension Directors, Extension Administration, state program leaders, business services personnel, government associations, and community partners. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, organizational diplomacy, strategic communication, and the ability to represent UF/IFAS Extension effectively throughout Florida. Extension Agent III or IV is a 12-month, permanent-status-accruing faculty appointment, determined by the selected candidate’s qualifications and record of accomplishment. University title information identifies both ranks as permanent-status accruing. Extension Agent III requires a master’s degree with qualifying experience or accomplishments and evidence of creative work, professional writing, or applied Extension research. Extension Agent IV additionally calls for statewide recognition and high-quality educational, creative, professional, or applied research work. Program Extension Agent III or IV is a non-permanent-status-accruing faculty appointment.

Requirements

• A master’s degree from an accredited institution in community development, public administration, leadership, education, organizational development, agricultural education and communication, social science, or another field directly relevant to the assignment.
• Substantial Cooperative Extension experience, including progressively responsible leadership at the county, regional, or state level.
• A record appropriate for appointment as Extension Agent III, Extension Agent IV, Program Extension Agent III or Program Extension Agent IV, including qualifying accomplishments and evidence of creative work, professional writing, applied Extension research, or statewide recognition consistent with the selected rank.
• Demonstrated success establishing and sustaining professional relationships with county governments, elected officials, administrators, community organizations, or comparable public-sector partners.
• Working knowledge of Cooperative Extension’s federal, state, and county partnership and the respective responsibilities of university and county partners.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, evaluate, and communicate the outcomes of research-based educational or organizational-development initiatives.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, facilitation, negotiation, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate with executive and governmental audiences.
• Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment, and organizational diplomacy when handling confidential, sensitive, or contested matters.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively throughout Florida, including occasional overnight travel and participation in evening meetings or statewide events.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining strong communication and coordination with the Director of County Logistics and other organizational leaders.
• Candidates must also have a commitment to the University of Florida’s core values.

Nice To Haves

• An earned doctorate from an accredited institution in community development, public administration, leadership, education, organizational development, agricultural education and communication, social science, or another discipline relevant to the assignment.
• Extensive experience in Cooperative Extension, including service as a County Extension Director, district or regional leader, state-level administrator, senior Extension faculty member, or professional with comparable responsibilities.
• A sustained record of statewide or multi-county accomplishment in county-government relations, leadership development, organizational capacity building, strategic planning, public administration, or community engagement.
• Demonstrated success coaching Extension professionals or other organizational leaders through complex relationships, governmental transitions, budget discussions, conflicts, or high-visibility issues.
• Evidence of a strong scholarly and professional record, including evaluated programs, applied research, professional publications, presentations, grants, recognitions, or leadership in professional associations.
• Experience interpreting community data, stakeholder feedback, program outcomes, and organizational information to develop actionable recommendations for senior leaders.
• Familiarity with Florida county-government structures, county budgeting processes, public meetings, local-government associations, and the operational context of county Extension offices.
• Proficiency in developing executive briefings, impact reports, presentations, and public-value narratives for elected officials and senior administrators.
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus among partners with different operational responsibilities, priorities, and decision-making structures.
• Knowledge and experience with University of Florida Policies and Procedures.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain productive relationships with county administrators, county commissioners, constitutional officers, association leaders, and other local-government officials.
• Represent UF/IFAS Extension Administration in executive-level county discussions, statewide meetings, conferences, and strategic engagements.
• Conduct regular county visits to understand local priorities, identify emerging concerns, and reinforce the value of the county-university partnership.
• Coordinate timely, constructive responses to county concerns through consultation, negotiation, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Design and advance strategies that strengthen local leadership, organizational capacity, civic understanding, collaborative planning, and community problem-solving.
• Identify statewide educational needs related to county governance, community decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and public leadership.
• Connect Extension faculty and county leaders with research-based resources that support informed decisions and resilient community systems.
• Develop methods for assessing relationship health, community priorities, stakeholder confidence, and the effectiveness of county engagement.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to County Extension Directors on governmental relations, organizational communication, public value, and stakeholder management.
• Coach County Extension Directors in preparing for meetings, presentations, budget discussions, leadership transitions, and complex county matters.
• Support relationship continuity when county administrators, commissioners, Extension leaders, or other key officials change.
• Clarify roles while recognizing that County Extension Directors retain responsibility for day-to-day county relationships.
• Help plan and deliver educational programs for county commissioners, newly elected officials, administrators, and other government leaders.
• Explain the federal, state, and county partnership supporting Florida Cooperative Extension.
• Develop presentations, briefing materials, impact narratives, and engagement strategies that communicate Extension’s return on investment and public benefits.
• Gather and analyze feedback from county leaders to inform organizational planning and service improvement.
• Collaborate with the Director of County Logistics, Extension Administration, state program leaders, business services personnel, faculty, and external organizations.
• Contribute to strategic planning, committees, task forces, special projects, and organizational initiatives.
• Manage travel, records, communications, and assigned resources in accordance with applicable university policies and procedures.
• Track outcomes and metrics; prepare reports and updates for relevant stakeholders; represent the UF/IFAS Extension on committees and working groups as assigned.

Benefits

• Eligibility for permanent-status-accruing faculty appointment (for Extension Agent III/IV)
• University benefits offerings, including retirement, leave, and employee support resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level