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The Florida Master Naturalist Program (FMNP) is an adult education program (18 and older) developed by the University of Florida/IFAS and delivered by a statewide network of certified instructors from UF/IFAS Extension and other participating organizations. The mission of the FMNP is to promote awareness, understanding, and respect of Florida's natural world among Florida's citizens and visitors. FMNP graduates share their knowledge with others and contribute to conservation efforts. FMNP courses are appropriate for anyone interested in learning more about Florida’s environment, includes both lay and professional audiences, and consistently graduates more than 1,000 participants per year.
Duties and Responsibilities
This is a non-tenure track 12-month Extension Assistant Professor position (80% Extension and 20% Teaching) in the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. The incoming faculty member will assume leadership and oversee all aspects of the Florida Master Naturalist Program and deliver an innovative and integrated Extension and teaching program to further the mission of the FMNP. Major responsibilities of the successful candidate include:
- Oversight and decisions associated with all aspects of managing the FMNP, including personnel, partnerships associated with program management, finances/fund-raising, program registration, and maintaining an active and engaged FMNP Advisory Board. Includes supervision of half-time program assistant.
- Managing FMNP instructor network (~160 current instructors): including recruiting and training new instructors; providing training, support, recognition, and incentives for existing instructors; and ensuring all instructors are delivering FMNP courses consistent with FMNP curricula.
- Keeping FMNP curricula relevant and accurate by updating and revising FMNP courses as deemed best for program instructors and participants. Creating new FMNP courses and/or educational opportunities to keep the FMNP growing and vibrant.
- Maintaining databases and quantifying program success and impacts, including but not necessarily limited to FMNP instructors, graduates, courses taught, and course/instructor evaluations.
- Applying for grants and conducting fundraising to support the FMNP. Maintaining finances and payment options for FMNP instructors and participants.
- Teaching Florida Environments (WIS 2000), a 3-credit undergraduate course based on the three core courses of the FMNP (Coastal, Freshwater, and Upland Systems). Teaching Florida Environments provides opportunities to continually update and revise core courses with new information as needed and for UF students throughout campus to learn about Florida’s diverse environments and the plants and animals that rely on them.
Background Information
The University of Florida (UF) is a Land-Grant, Sea-Grant, and Space-Grant institution, encompassing virtually all academic and professional disciplines, with an enrollment of more than 56,000 students. UF is a member of The Association of American Universities. The University of Florida’s main campus is located in Gainesville, which is often recognized as one of Florida's most livable cities and one of the best college towns in America. Located in the heart of beautiful North Central Florida, Gainesville maintains a small-town feel, but offers many amenities found in much larger metro areas. With an expanding downtown, a strong cultural arts following and a wide variety of shops and restaurants, world-class medical care and facilities, and relatively low cost of living, greater Gainesville is one of the best places to work, live and play. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a variety of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.
The Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (WEC) mission is to foster education, expand knowledge, and reward scholarship using multi-disciplinary approaches for the purpose of understanding, managing, and conserving biological resources. WEC is within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), which includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Florida Sea Grant program. Additionally, the School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. IFAS encompasses 16 on-campus academic departments and schools, 12 Research and Educational Centers (REC) located throughout the state, 6 research sites/demonstration units administered by RECs or academic departments, and Florida Cooperative Extension Service offices in all 67 counties.
UF/IFAS employs nearly 4,500 people, which includes approximately 990 salaried faculty and 1,400 permanent support personnel located in Gainesville and throughout the state. IFAS, one of the nation’s largest agricultural and natural resources research and education organizations, is administered by a Senior Vice President and four deans: the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Dean for Extension and Director of the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the Dean for Research and Director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, and the Dean for the College of Veterinary Medicine. UF/IFAS also engages in cooperative work with Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
