Jobs Title:
Invasive Plant Tiered Training Coordinator

Post Date
2/25/2025

Expiration Date
4/26/2025

Details:
Program Overview
The UF/IFAS Invasive Species Council seeks a detail-oriented and highly organized candidate to lead an interdisciplinary, interagency effort to develop a standardized curriculum for a new tiered training program in invasive plant management. Standardized protocols can enhance workforce mobility, improve resource management outcomes, and increase public support by professionalizing the field.
The program will design an operationally focused training curriculum that centers on the skills and knowledge needed for progressive roles within invasive species management. The four identified tiers are: Volunteer/Crew Trainee, Crew Member, Crew Lead, and Invasive Manager.

Position Information
This person will coordinate the development of a multi-tiered training program for invasive plant management in Florida. The coordinator will oversee program coordination, support tier leads, collaborate with UF faculty and stakeholders, assess existing resources, and develop new materials as needed. This two-year position, based in Gainesville, FL, offers a starting salary of $60,000 with OPS benefits. The ideal candidate will have experience with Integrated Pest Management including herbicide use in natural areas, invasive plants of southeastern U.S. landscapes, and some knowledge of invasive plant management field operations.
This position is particularly well-suited for individuals focused on extension, natural resource management and/or invasive species management. The role involves leading the development of an innovative training program, with the potential for topical expansion into broader aspects of invasive species management in the future. This program is expected to have significant impact in the state and potentially beyond.

Key Responsibilities
-Facilitate Program Coordination: Ensure seamless collaboration across program tiers to maintain alignment with project objectives and achieve timely progress.
-Support Curriculum Development: Assist tier leads in organizing and leading stakeholder meetings and in the development of curriculum content to address diverse needs effectively.
-Evaluate Existing Resources: Conduct a thorough review of available curriculum materials to assess their relevance and alignment with program goals.
-Create New Educational Content: Collaboratively design and develop new curriculum materials in consultation with UF faculty and other key stakeholders to address identified gaps.
-Assess Program Impact: Design and implement robust evaluation tools, including surveys, feedback mechanisms, and performance assessments, to measure program outcomes and inform continuous improvement.

Qualifications:
Required
-Master's in invasive plant science and management, forestry, weed science, natural resource management, agricultural education, or a related field
OR
-Bachelor's degree in the same fields and 3+ years of experience in invasive plant management.
-Excellent facilitation, organizational and communication abilities.

Preferred
-Strong background in herbicide use in natural areas.
-Experience with invasive plants of southeastern U.S. landscapes and knowledge of invasive plant management field operations.

Comments:
Background Information
The University of Florida 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 Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences includes the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, the Florida Cooperative Extension Service, the College of Veterinary Medicine, the Florida Sea Grant program, and 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 (counties operate and maintain). The School of Natural Resources and Environment is an interdisciplinary unit housed in IFAS and managed by several colleges on campus. 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 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.

Employment Conditions
This position is available immediately and will be filled as soon thereafter as an acceptable applicant is available. Compensation is commensurate with the education, experience, and qualifications of the selected applicant.

Application Process
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, CV, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered "official" if a designation of "Issued to Student" is visible. Degrees earned from an education institution outside of the United States are required to be evaluated by a professional credentialing service provider approved by National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).
Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. The University of Florida is a public institution and subject to all requirements under Florida Sunshine and Public Record laws.
The University of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The University and greater Gainesville community enjoy a diversity of cultural events, restaurants, year-round outdoor recreational activities, and social opportunities.

Contact Information
If interested in this position, please email a CV and cover letter to Dr. Stephen Enloe (sfenloe@ufl.edu) and Dr. Michael Andreu (mandreu@ufl.edu).

Employer:
University of Florida
Contact:
Stephen Enloe

Email:
sfenloe@ufl.edu

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