Position # 0001-3955 Vegetable Crops Extension Agent I, II, or III University/IFAS Extension at Miami-Dade County Homestead, FL (South Extension

District) Application Deadline: 4 weeks after initial posting date University of Florida/IFAS Extension and Miami-Dade County seek to fill a permanent statusaccruing Vegetable Crops Extension Agent position. There are more than 33,000 acres of commercial vegetable production in Miami-Dade County. Major crops include beans, sweet corn, squash and tropical sweet potato. Tomatoes, taro, okra, eggplant, herbs and Asian vegetables are also significant. Most vegetables are produced from September to May. Some of the major challenges facing this industry include pest control, worker protection, food safety, nutrient management, and water management. Duties and Responsibilities The purpose of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service is to plan, develop, implement and evaluate educational programs that contribute to maximizing the potential for agricultural development and contribute to solutions of social, economic, environmental and cultural problems. The main duties and responsibilities of the Vegetable Crops Extension Agent are: Identify research needs to be addressed for the benefit of the commercial vegetable industry; work closely with research scientists in conducting research and publicizing findings. Provide educational programs and information to facilitate the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) in vegetable crop production. Provide educational programs (continuing educational units, CEUs) and administer exams for pesticide applicators. Train agriculture producers and their employees how to comply with the Federal Worker Protection Standards (WPS). Provide educational programs on Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) for fresh vegetable and fruit production that will assist producers and their employees to comply with food safety regulations. Develop educational materials and use a variety of teaching methods (e.g., workshops, seminars, field days) to inform vegetable producers and their employees of new technologies, varieties, pest management strategies, water management, BMPs and food safety issues. Develop, maintain, and work effectively with an Extension Advisory Committee to identify priority needs and interests of targeted clientele. Cooperate with the Extension 4-H Youth Development staff in the 4-H Youth program with particular emphasis on vegetable gardening. Assume other assignments and responsibilities as directed by the County Extension Director and District Extension Director in support of the total Extension program.

The Agent is expected to collaborate with local growers, other county Extension faculty in the South District, UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center faculty, and other Extension Specialists to help design, implement, and evaluate vegetable field demonstrations and collaborate on grants. These demonstration projects shall deliver information to develop or improve crop management practices that lead to sustainable production systems based on sound economic and environmental decisions. The Agent will establish and maintain an effective system of accountability and reporting of Extension program successes to all relevant individuals, groups, organizations and agencies. In addition, it will be important to develop and sustain partnerships with grower organizations, agricultural suppliers, and community agencies and organizations sharing common goals of supporting agriculture in Miami-Dade County. Qualifications A Bachelors degree is required; a Masters degree is preferred. Candidates hired with a Bachelors degree will be expected to make significant progress towards obta ining a Masters degree within 6 years of employment. A degree in agriculture, plant science, weed science, horticulture, or a closely related field is required. The successful candidate must be able to translate research results into practical extension education programs and develop and implement educational programs for the commercial vegetable crops industry that have a positive impact on production efficiency and natural resource conservation. Proven ability for effective oral and written communication is required. The successful candidate must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and work effectively as a team member. Ability to use computer technology for communications and program management functions is required. Experience working in multicultural settings and coursework or training on multicultural topics are highly desirable. Familiarity with the South Florida agriculture is preferred. Work as an extension agent requires irregular hours and weekend activities with occasional overnight travel and willingness to travel in and out of the county with a personal vehicle. Agents must provide their own transportation; costs are reimbursed by Miami-Dade County. A County physical exam including drug and alcohol screening must be passed prior to employment. The agent must obtain and maintain a valid Florida Drivers license. In addition, this individual will be required to obtain a Pesticide Applicators License. Extension programming in Miami-Dade County is a cooperative undertaking between the County and the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. As such both partners are involved in the supervision of the office and contribute to the salary and support resources.

Miami-Dade County (http://miamidade.gov/wps/portal) with a population of 2.5 million is located on the southern tip of the Florida peninsula. The Extension office is located in Homestead (http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/) about 1 mile from the UF/IFAS Tropical Research and Education Center (http://trec.ifas.ufl.edu/).