General Information
Work Location: 1303 17th Street West, Palmetto, Florida 34221
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pmExpected Starting Hourly Range: $23.67 - $29.59
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 rote in representing the Division.
Coordinates with staff, volunteers, Extension faculty, and other governmental agencies on youth development, horticultural, water quality and water conservation issues.
Note: Work schedule may include weekends and/or early/late hours and periodically include weeklong overnights (4-H).
Working Conditions
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.
Job Description
Essential Functions
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.Residential Horticulture / Master Gardeners Program
Program Administration & Promotion: 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
Educational Content Development & Delivery: 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.
Outreach & Public Relations: 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.
Comprehensive Volunteer Program Management: 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.
Documentation & Reporting: maintaining comprehensive records and documents regarding assigned programs, compiles program reports for the Extension Agent as required, and performing writing and proof-reading tasks for articles, funding proposals, general correspondence, and reports.
Desired skills, knowledge, and experience in: entomology, horticulture, public relations including promoting, networking, and building mutually beneficial relationships, proficiency in computer operations and pertinent software applications, including PowerPoint, word processing programs, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Eventbrite, Outlook, and Canva, ability to develop and prepare various educational and technical documents, strong organizational skills and attention to detail for record-keeping and reporting, expertise in effectively managing, coordinating, and developing volunteer programs, including recruitment, training, and retention, commitment to safety procedures and protocols, attend job-specific training classes, and the ability to perform other related work, including extreme emergency duties, as required and assigned.
Assists Extension Agent in the administration and promotion of assigned program.
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.
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.
Skill in public relations, including promoting, networking and building mutually beneficial relationships with groups, agencies and the general public.
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.
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.
Acts as liaison between program participants, volunteers, community groups, and other relevant parties. Develops, administers and oversees volunteer programs.
Maintains records and documents regarding assigned programs and compiles program reports for management use.
Strictly adheres to safety procedures to protect self, co-workers, volunteers, and the general public.
Attends job-specific training classes as assigned by supervisor.
Performs other related work (including weather or other extreme emergency duties) as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Valid driver's license with valid Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered including formal classroom experience and/or non-formal education work.
More
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Able to comprehend and follow oral and written instructions.
Organizes own work and completes tasks within assigned timeframes.
Able to resolve routine situations and problems.
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.
Able to communicate routine information clearly.
General knowledge and understanding of computer applications and software programs required to perform job duties.
General knowledge and understanding of regulatory compliance necessary to successfully perform job duties.
Capable of working independently.
Solid communication skills, both written and oral, and good command of the English language (other language proficiencies welcome).
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Ability to perform work outside in variable weather conditions.
Ability to adapt to last minute changes in a quick manner using problem solving skills.
Knowledge of experiential learning and interpretive techniques (or willingness to learn).
Skill in the use of personal computers and appropriate software programs. Above average familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite preferred, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher.
Organization, planning and record-keeping skills.
Knowledge of curriculum/lesson plan development and implementation preferred.
Ability to develop hands-on learning activities and service-based learning education materials.
Veterans Preference
In accordance with Florida Statute 295.07, F.S., Chapter 55A-7, priority consideration in employment will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of disabled veterans. Applicants claiming preference must provide a DD Form 214 or other acceptable documentation with their application. We are committed to honoring the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families.
EEO/ADA Statement
Manatee County Government is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at 941-748-4501 x 3865.
Drug-Free Workplace
Manatee County Government is a drug-free workplace in accordance with Federal and Florida Law.
Emergency Response/Recovery Activities
All employees may be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location, and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.
