University of Florida · 1 week ago
County Extension Director and 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent II-IV - Lake
Lake, OH
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
8+ years expThe University of Florida is committed to community engagement and seeks a self-motivated County Extension Director and 4-H Youth Development Extension Agent. This role involves leading and managing the Lake County Extension program, focusing on youth development and community outreach through educational programs.
Higher Education
No H1B
Responsibilities
Build and maintain effective relationships with various stakeholders, including county government, community leaders, private sector clients, media, and UF/IFAS faculty and staff
Facilitate and oversee the professional development of faculty and staff within the Lake County Extension Office
Manage the business side of the Extension Office, including financial and compliance issues
Organize and conduct regular faculty development workshops, training sessions, and seminars to enhance the skills and knowledge of Extension personnel
Foster a culture of teamwork, continuous improvement, innovation, and learning within the office
Be available to serve as needed (call centers, shelters, animal services shelters, etc.) during emergencies in support of the Lake County Emergency Operations Center
Develop and execute a strategic plan to promote Extension's success
Support staff in setting short-term and long-term goals for their roles and professional development
Encourage open communication and feedback during check-in meetings to address concerns and make necessary adjustments
Maintain an advisory committee with appropriate community representation and advocating for Extension in the community
Use resourcefulness, creativity, enthusiasm, and innovation to enhance existing educational programs and create new ones to meet the needs of community members
Assess program responsibilities locally based on community needs
Utilize computer technology and social media for communication, teaching, and program management
Secure financial resources to support Extension programs and the Lake County office
Adhere to University of Florida and Lake County government policies and procedures
Develop an annual plan of work and a report of accomplishment
Collaborate with UF/IFAS Extension administration to ensure compliance with annual review procedures and reporting
Identify and address youth development needs by designing, delivering, and evaluating educational programs for youth ages 5-18
Deliver positive youth development programs through a variety of delivery modes, including, but not limited to, clubs, in- and after-school programs, camps, and community-based programs
Recruit, train, and support an effective volunteer base to enhance program capacity and reach
Develop a comprehensive volunteer management strategy to ensure program policies, enrollment, record keeping, risk management, and experiential learning procedures are updated and effective
Collaborate with all Extension program areas (Horticulture, Family and Consumer Sciences, Agriculture) and volunteers on educational efforts that will facilitate positive management practices with significant and locally relevant impact
Manage program components, including program policies, enrollments, records, risk management, communication, and educational materials
Develop an advisory committee to assist with program design, identification of client needs and priority issues, analysis of county situations, and development of program budgets
Provide leadership for the Lake County 4-H Association
Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the District Extension Director
Qualification
Required
A master's degree in youth development, education, agriculture education and communication, community development, or a closely related field from an accredited college or university
At least eight years of professional Extension experience or equivalent
Achievement or eligibility of appointment at Extension Agent Rank II or higher and successful experience in the academic promotion process
Strong leadership abilities coupled with adept problem-solving skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
A commitment to customer service
Experience in developing and delivering educational programs for youth
Experience in managing and supporting volunteers
Ability to possess (or be able to obtain) a Florida driver's license
Flexibility with working hours, including occasional long and irregular hours, evenings, weekends, and overnight travel
A commitment to the University of Florida's IFAS Extension values: Integrity, Excellence, Responsiveness, Lifelong Learning, and Access
Candidates must also have a commitment to UF core values
Preferred
Previous experience as a County Extension Director (CED) or equivalent
Proficiency in managing office operations, budgeting, and overseeing grant management
A steadfast dedication to advancing education and providing leadership in county-level initiatives
Hands-on experience in Extension education and effective collaboration with different groups
Technological literacy for communication and program management
Exceptional people management talent encompassing coaching, mentoring, motivation, and more
Familiarity with navigating political landscapes
Experience creating a vision that increases access and decreases barriers and garnering support from others
Evidence of exceptional collaborations, partnerships, and marketing with varied audiences, community leaders, agencies, media, and the general public
Benefits
Excellent benefits
Company
University of Florida
University of Florida is a public land-grant research university in Gainesville, Florida.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$6.83MKey Investors
Align TechnologyUS Department of EnergyNFWF
2025-06-02Grant
2024-09-17Grant· $2M
2024-09-10Grant· $0.18M
Leadership Team
Sri Kalyanaraman
Co-founder, VR for the Social Good Initiative
Chris Cowen
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Recent News
2026-01-17
2026-01-13
2025-12-07
Company data provided by crunchbase