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The Opportunity
This is a 12-month, 100% Extension appointment as a State Specialized Extension Agent II-IV, with an administrative appointment of 60% as an Associate Program Leader. This position provides operational leadership for Florida 4‑H and is responsible for ensuring that statewide priorities are implemented consistently and effectively. This position manages the day‑to‑day operations of the Florida 4‑H State Headquarters, supervises headquarters staff, coordinates statewide processes, and provides statewide leadership for workforce development for youth and implementation of 4-H agent professional development.
Working closely with the State 4‑H Program Leader, the Associate Program Leader focuses on operational leadership, implementation, coordination, organizational follow-through, and resolution of operational challenges across the statewide system. The State 4‑H Program Leader sets vision, priorities, and final staffing decisions; the Associate Program Leader ensures that those decisions are carried out through clear processes, staff coordination, and effective operations.
The Associate Program Leader serves as the operational lead for Florida 4‑H, ensuring the statewide system functions effectively and consistently. This position plays a key role in advancing Florida 4‑H’s mission to prepare youth to be Beyond Ready and in supporting the goal of reaching 300,000 youth statewide.
This is a permanent status or permanent status accruing position for an Extension Agent II-IV, depending on eligibility. Candidates who have obtained permanent status in the Florida Cooperative Extension Service will retain this status. The position is in State 4-H Headquarters, located at East Campus in Gainesville, Florida.
Position Summary
The Associate Program Leader (APL) is a faculty role within UF/IFAS Extension providing statewide leadership in youth workforce readiness and operational leadership for Florida 4-H Youth Development. This is a 12-month, 100% Extension appointment as a State Specialized Extension Agent II–IV, with a 40% statewide Extension assignment focused on workforce readiness and youth development and a 60% administrative assignment as Associate Program Leader for Florida 4-H. The position is located at the Florida 4-H State Headquarters in Gainesville, Florida.
The primary Extension assignment focuses on statewide leadership for youth workforce readiness, including development, implementation, evaluation, and expansion of experiential, workforce-aligned programming that prepares youth to be Beyond Ready. The Associate Program Leader works collaboratively with county faculty, Regional Specialized Agents, State Specialized Agents, and external partners to strengthen employability skills, technical skill development, career navigation, leadership development, and postsecondary preparation opportunities for youth across Florida.
In addition to workforce readiness leadership, the Associate Program Leader supports the professional and operational capacity of the Florida 4-H system through headquarters coordination, staff supervision, onboarding and support for new agents, and implementation of statewide operational processes. Working closely with the State 4-H Program Leader, the Associate Program Leader supports implementation of statewide priorities through effective coordination, communication, operational systems, and organizational follow through. The Associate Program Leader works collaboratively with State 4-H faculty and staff to support coordinated implementation of statewide priorities, operational systems, and organizational processes.
Key Responsibilities
Associate Program Leader (60%)
Headquarters Operations and Staff Supervision
- Support day-to-day operations of the Florida 4-H State Headquarters.
- Supervise headquarters staff, including oversight of work responsibilities, priorities, timelines, and follow through.
- Ensure headquarters operations, communications, and administrative workflows effectively support statewide 4-H efforts and county faculty.
- Coordinate administrative and operational support for statewide initiatives.
- Coordinate organizational follow-through for operational processes, implementation efforts, and statewide projects, including tracking progress, supporting communication, and assisting with resolution of operational barriers.
- Coordinate response and follow-through for operational questions, concerns, and implementation challenges directed to State 4-H Headquarters, ensuring timely communication, problem resolution, and referral as appropriate.
New 4-H Agent Onboarding and Support
- Design and oversee a multi-year onboarding and early career support program for new 4-H agents.
- Establish statewide onboarding expectations, training structures, and professional development supports for new agents.
- Coordinate onboarding implementation in partnership with State 4-H faculty and staff.
- Provide operational guidance, coaching, and troubleshooting support as new agents navigate statewide systems, policies, procedures, and program expectations.
- Support early identification and resolution of operational and implementation challenges affecting new agents.
Statewide Hiring Process Coordination
- Coordinate statewide screening processes for Florida 4-H hires, including scheduling, communication, and documentation.
- Ensure screening processes are applied consistently and comply with UF/IFAS Extension and University of Florida requirements.
- Work with UF/IFAS Extension administration and Human Resources to support efficient hiring processes.
- Support statewide hiring efforts while recognizing that final hiring decisions and staffing priorities are made by the State 4-H Program Leader.
Statewide Workforce Readiness and Career Pathways Leadership (40%)
Workforce Readiness Program Leadership
- Co-lead statewide workforce readiness efforts for Florida 4-H (Priority Work Group 3).
- Lead development and implementation of experiential, workforce-aligned youth programming that strengthens employability skills, leadership development, career readiness, and postsecondary preparation.
- Develop workforce readiness resources and implementation strategies aligned with Florida workforce needs.
Career Pathways and Youth Opportunities
- Support career exploration, career navigation, technical skill development, and work-based learning opportunities such as internships, mentoring, credentialing, and industry-connected experiences
- Build partnerships that expand workforce readiness opportunities and strengthen career pathways for youth.
Program Evaluation and Resource Development
- Evaluate programs and use results to improve quality, effectiveness, and reach.
- Secure grants and partnerships that expand Florida 4-H workforce readiness efforts.
Extension Scholarship and Professional Contribution
- Document and share effective practices that strengthen youth development and workforce readiness programming.
- Contribute scholarly Extension products appropriate for promotion at the State Specialized Agent level.
- Represent Florida 4-H in professional meetings and related settings as assigned.
About UF
The University of Florida is one of the nation’s leading public research universities, consistently ranked among the top institutions for academic excellence, innovation, and public impact. As Florida’s land‑grant university, UF is deeply committed to advancing knowledge, improving lives, and addressing critical issues facing communities across the state, nation, and world.
About UF/IFAS Extension
UF/IFAS Extension is a core component of that mission, translating university research into practical, science‑based education that strengthens youth, families, agriculture, natural resources, and communities. Through a statewide network of faculty and staff, Extension connects Floridians with timely education that builds skills, supports decision‑making, and prepares future generations for success.
About 4-H
4‑H Youth Development is one of the largest and most impactful youth development organizations in Florida, reaching hundreds of thousands of young people annually. Florida 4‑H empowers youth to become confident, capable, and ready for the future through hands‑on learning experiences focused on leadership, citizenship, workforce readiness, and personal growth. This position plays a pivotal statewide leadership role in ensuring Florida 4‑H functions as a coordinated, high‑quality system that prepares youth to be Beyond Ready.
UF offers a comprehensive benefits package, including retirement plans, health insurance, paid leave, and professional development opportunities. Learn more at UF Benefits.
About The State 4‑H Headquarters
The Florida 4‑H State Headquarters is located on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville, the administrative and operational center for UF/IFAS Extension. Gainesville is situated in north‑central Florida and serves as a hub for statewide Extension leadership, academic collaboration, and program coordination. Alachua County is home to a population of approximately 280,000 residents and is recognized for its strong educational presence, rich agricultural history, and central role in statewide Extension operations.
State 4‑H Headquarters supports Florida’s 67 county Extension offices and works closely with regional and state faculty to ensure consistent program quality, operational efficiency, and alignment with statewide priorities. Gainesville’s location allows for direct collaboration with university faculty, Extension administration, and external partners while providing access to a vibrant community known for innovation, culture, and natural resources.
