<p>Work Location: 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221</p> <p>Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm</p> <p>Expected Starting Hourly Range: $23.67 - $29.59</p> <p>Position is responsible for assisting with the delivery of Extension education programs within the Agriculture and Extension Service. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring the quality of the instruction, developing and following the lesson outlines, and maintaining the safety of program participants at all times. The Specialist plays a key role in representing the Division.</p> <p>Coordinates the development, marketing, scheduling, planning, and delivery of public educational presentations, workshops, exhibits, projects, and evaluates effectiveness of educational components.</p> <p>Coordinates with staff, volunteers, Extension faculty, and other governmental agencies on youth development, horticultural, water quality and water conservation issues.</p> <p>Note: Work schedule may include weekends and/or early/late hours and periodically include weeklong overnights (4-H).</p> <p>Working Conditions</p> <p>Indoor/Outdoor situation; high noise environment while performing certain responsibilities. Lifting equipment up to 50 lbs. alone; up to 75 lbs. with assistance. Able to reach, bend, stoop and squat. Visual acuity, ability to hear and identify sounds. Able to perform strenuous work inside and outside under varying (including extreme} weather/temperature conditions. Tasks are of more than average difficulty and require that the employee exercise reasonable initiative and independent, judgment. Work with individuals or groups (ages 5 and older) in a variety of settings and weather conditions. Dynamic and often fast-paced environment with potentially stressful situations. Works with the general public, including children, ages 5-18.</p> <p>Essential Functions</p> <p>These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from a position.</p> <p>Assists Extension Agent in the administration and promotion of assigned program.</p> <p>Provides educational information and research resources to program participants, volunteers, and the general public regarding assigned program. Develops and prepares presentations, teaching aids, fact sheets, charts, etc.</p> <p>Writing and proof-reading, which includes but is not limited to articles, funding proposals, general correspondence, technical documents, manuals, booklets, reports, distance-learning products, etc.</p> <p>Skill in public relations, including promoting, networking and building mutually beneficial relationships with groups, agencies and the general public.</p> <p>Skill in computer operations and pertinent software applications, i.e., PowerPoint, word processing programs, Microsoft TEAMS, Zoom, Eventbrite, Outlook for e-mail and communications, Excel, ACR GIS, Survey 123, social media platforms, etc.</p> <p>Represents assigned program at outreach events. Staffs program booth/table at events. Sets up and tears down displays and exhibits. Develops and presents educational trainings, meeting and workshops. Distributes educational and promotional materials.</p> <p>Acts as liaison between program participants, volunteers, community groups, and other relevant parties. Develops, administers and oversees volunteer programs.</p> <p>Maintains records and documents regarding assigned programs and compiles program reports for management use.</p> <p>Strictly adheres to safety procedures to protect self, co-workers, volunteers, and the general public.</p> <p>Attends job-specific training classes as assigned by supervisor.</p> <p>Performs other related duties as assigned, including participation in emergency or disaster response activities, as required and consistent with the employee's qualifications, essential job functions, and applicable federal and Florida law. </p> <p>Bachelor's degree in education, youth development, community development/sociology, natural/environmental sciences, recreation, or related field.</p> <p>Minimum of two (2) years' experience in an educational setting (informal or formal) working with volunteers in a leadership role, education, or management field.</p> <p>Equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience may be considered in meeting the minimum qualifications for this position including formal classroom experience and/or non-formal education work.</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:</p> <p>Able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions. </p> <p>Organizes own work and completes tasks within assigned timeframes. </p> <p>Able to resolve routine situations and problems. </p> <p>Good written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills to be able to interact professionally and effectively with co-workers, management, volunteers, the general public, and other stakeholders. </p> <p>Able to communicate routine information clearly.</p> <p>General knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties. </p> <p>General knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.</p> <p>Capable of working independently.</p> <p>Solid communication skills, both written and oral, and good command of the English language (other language proficiencies welcome).</p> <p>Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.</p> <p>Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.</p> <p>Ability to perform work outside in variable weather conditions.</p> <p>Ability to adapt to last minute changes in a quick manner using problem solving skills.</p> <p>Knowledge of experiential learning and interpretive techniques (or willingness to learn).</p> <p>Skill in the use of personal computers and appropriate software programs. Above average familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite preferred, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher.</p> <p>Organization, planning and record-keeping skills.</p> <p>Knowledge of curriculum/lesson plan development and implementation preferred.</p> <p>Ability to develop hands-on learning activities and service-based learning education materials.</p> <p>AREAS OF ASSIGNMENT</p> <p>Residential Horticulture / Master Gardeners Program</p> <p>The Residential Horticulture / Master Gardeners Program Specialist will play a vital role in the administration, promotion and delivery of Extension education programming within the Agriculture and Extension Division, with a significant focus on managing and developing volunteer initiatives. This position is responsible for ensuring the quality of instruction, developing and following lesson outlines, and maintaining the safety of all program participants. The Program Specialist acts as a key representative of the division, coordinating educational initiatives and fostering community engagement, particularly through robust volunteer programs as well as providing horticultural and entomological expertise to program participants, volunteers, and members of the public. Key responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:</p> <p>Program Administration & Promotion </p> <p>Assisting the Extension Agent in the overall administration and promotion of the Master Gardener Volunteer program, coordinating the development, marketing, scheduling, planning and delivery of public educational presentations, workshops, exhibits, and projects, and evaluating the effectiveness of educational components and program initiatives</p> <p>Educational Content Development & Delivery</p> <p>Providing educational information and research resources to program participants, volunteers, and the general public, developing and preparing presentations, teaching aids, facts sheets, charts, technical documents, manuals, booklets, and distance-learning products, developing and presenting educational trainings, meetings, and workshops.</p> <p>Outreach & Public Relations</p> <p>Representing assigned programs at outreach events, staffing booths/tables, and setting up/tearing down displays and educational exhibits, distributing educational and promotional materials, engaging in public relations activities, including promoting, networking, and building mutually beneficial relationships with groups, agencies, and the public.</p> <p>Comprehensive Volunteer Program Management</p> <p>Serving as the primary lead for all aspects of the Master Gardener Volunteer program, acting as the liaison between program participants, volunteers, community groups, and other relevant parties, assisting with the administration of the Master Gardener Volunteer program, including proactive recruiting, thorough training, strategic placement, and efficient scheduling of volunteers, establishing and maintaining robust volunteer program policies and procedures, ensuring strict conformance with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies, maintaining detailed and accurate records of volunteers' information, assignments, availabilities, and skills, ensuring efficient program operation, coordinating with staff, volunteers, Extension faculty, and other governmental agencies to develop and enhance programming, strictly adheres to safety procedures to protect self, co-workers, volunteers and program participants at all times.</p>