Regional Specialized Extension Agent II - IV – Sustainable Land Development

University of Florida•Orange, CA

About The Position

The Florida Cooperative Extension Service is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments that provides quality, relevant education and research-based expertise to foster healthy people, a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. We are the resource that helps educate Floridians to address issues related to agriculture, natural resources, youth development, families and communities. University of Florida/IFAS Extension seeks to fill a 12-month, permanent status-accruing Regional Specialized Agent (RSA) position in Sustainable Land Development in alignment with the goals of the Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) program. As the RSA, you will work with a variety of Extension faculty including those within the Center for Land Use Efficiency (CLUE) and external stakeholders to work with large land development projects and other communities to implement practices that are less resource intensive, follow the FFL principles and result in quantifiable impacts. This position will cover the Central Extension District, based at the Mid-Florida Research and Education Center in Apopka, FL. The regional focus of the position will encompass central Florida. General programmatic areas This position will lead an extension program focused on addressing regional land development issues, emphasizing responsible resource use as it relates to economic advancement and environmental protection. Core areas include promotion of sustainable low impact development strategies, and the use of nature-based solutions that enhance the ecological value of urban landscapes, water conservation, implementation of green stormwater infrastructure. The agent will work across sectors to deliver science-based education and outreach, guiding communities toward practices that support resilient ecosystems and responsible growth. Your extension program will cover regional issues associated with land development, specifically related to resource use within large scale master planned developments that are critical to economic development and environmental protection. Potential areas you can build an extension program on include: Promotion of Low Impact Development Strategies : Partner with local governments and developers to create and implement conservation programs or similar that demonstrate measurable impacts. Collaborate with UF/IFAS faculty and programs such as the Sustainable Human Ecological Development (SHED) cohort and FFL within CLUE to create science-based educational materials. Focus on sustainable land use practices that balance growth with resource conservation, reduce reliance on irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides, and enhance and protect wildlife habitat in urban areas. Provide education on emerging trends and collaborate with community partners to support long-term ecological health and responsible development. Local government programs : Often local government staff lack training or resources to deliver effective education programs. Examples include utilities and planning departments. Building relationships with these entities is important to helping them develop programs such as successful conservation programs that have measurable positive impacts. Protecting and enhancing water quality as related to urban development : For example, working with stormwater systems design and management; pond management; urban land management; with the goal of improving water resources within urban landscapes and mitigating the impacts of urban stormwater runoff. Work closely with other faculty such as the Central District Water RSA to enhance programs and prevent programmatic duplication. Implementation of Green Stormwater Infrastructure: _ Urban landscapes need to provide services such as aesthetics and recreation that are critical to human well-being. But current trends do not emphasize nature-based solutions aimed at enhancing the ecological services that urban landscapes can provide, including decreasing the need for resources (e.g., irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides) and improving wildlife habitat within urban areas. Promote the use of nature-based solutions in urban landscapes to enhance ecological services while supporting aesthetics and recreational needs. Facilitate the adoption of green stormwater infrastructure to improve stormwater management and safeguard water quality. Deliver practical education to stakeholders, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed for successful implementation of these sustainable strategies in urban environments. Specific programmatic areas Your extension program should target large scale land development and encourage adoption of sustainable practices such as the nine FFL principles that mitigate these impacts both in the urban landscape and on nearby natural areas. In addition, educating and promoting the adoption of better development and landscaping practices by key stakeholders and decision makers such as utility staff, planners, local government staff, and those involved in the enterprise of land development will be essential to this position to affect change.

Requirements

The successful candidate will have an earned bachelor’s degree and at least half of the credits toward a master’s degree from an accredited college or university focused on sustainable development or related field. (For example, urban ecology/forestry, urban/environmental planning, soil and water science, agroecology, landscape design/management, or a similar area.)
To be hired as an Extension Agent III or IV, you must have a master’s degree.
A flexible schedule that allows for irregular hours is necessary.
The candidate must be able to obtain a Florida driver's license.
Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values .

Nice To Haves

A Ph.D. degree is preferred.
At least 5 years of land-grant university extension or equivalent educational programming experience is preferred.
Expertise in getting groups to work together for a higher goal, managing competing priorities, and adaptability to handle unexpected situations is a plus for this role.
You must be an effective written and verbal communicator, feel comfortable presenting in front of small and large crowds, and be able to establish solid partnerships.

Responsibilities

Develop, implement, evaluate, and report on a comprehensive built environment extension program in cooperation with government, industry, water agencies, and extension colleagues.
Address current and emerging issues pertaining to urban growth in central Florida.
Contribute to the strengthening of the central Florida economy by providing educational support for long-term sustainable land development practices.
Focus educational programs to target audiences to address issues, facilitate solutions, and promote positive behavior change associated with reducing the impacts of new land development projects on natural resources and natural areas.
Tasks may include webinars and presentations, content development to be used by county agents, attending professional conferences, and working with state extension specialists to quantify and confirm the impacts of more sustainable land development and landscaping practices.
Develop programs for large scale development that encourages use of new technologies and the proper long-term management of these technologies.
Work with St. Johns River Water Management District, the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection and local governments to provide education on relevant land development and built environment topics.
Work with the Central Florida Water Initiative (CFWI), representing UF/IFAS in collaboration with the Central District Water RSA.
Deliver regional education that balances and reflects central Florida's population and to address the unique educational needs of regional stakeholders (like CFWI).
Work closely with CLUE faculty, programs such as FFL, H2OSAV, SHED and Flood Resilient Communities, and faculty across campus engaged in work focused on the design, construction, and management of land development.
Support, train, and mentor Central District county faculty in land development education programs, aligning with the UF/IFAS Extension Pathway.
Seek funding for your extension program and for applied research projects in collaboration with state extension specialists, including social scientists interested in understanding and overcoming barriers to adopting better land development.
Meet regularly with Extension faculty and Program leaders, in the built environment such as Extension Initiatives 2 and 4 in the Extension Pathway to plan effective and collaborative statewide education programs and efforts.
Establish and maintain a system to measure program accountability and effectiveness.
Develop metrics that can be used by other faculty and stakeholders to effectively quantify the impacts of sustainable development efforts.
Lead in managing all program components including program policies, record keeping, risk management, communications, and educational materials.
Seek programmatic guidance from the State Specialized Agent coordinating the statewide FFL program to align with programmatic direction, support FFL Community Landscape audiences and develop material suitable for agents to implement statewide.
Assume other assignments and responsibilities in support of the total extension program as assigned by the Central District Extension Director and the Mid- Florida Research and Education Center Director.
Follow all university policies and procedures.