Ranks, Titles, Responsibilities & Position Descriptions for County Extension Faculty
The Florida Cooperative Extension Service (CES) was created by a three-way partnership of federal, state, and local governments, represented by the USDA, University of Florida, and Boards of County Commissioners, respectively. The partnership was established to ensure that the useful knowledge generated at the land-grant university is interpreted for and delivered to the people of the state. As directed by the initial Congressional legislation, the Smith Lever Act, the partnership's primary goal is to encourage Floridians to apply the delivered knowledge.
In Florida, state and county Extension faculty conduct programs in Agriculture, Family and Consumer Science, 4-H/Youth Development, Natural Resources, Community and Rural Development, SeaGrant/Marine, and Energy. However, county faculty do not conduct programs in every area in each county. In keeping with the partnership arrangement, staffing in each county is based upon the particular educational needs of the citizens and the ability of the partners to provide funds to employ and support Extension agents to meet those needs.
For Florida CES to function efficiently and effectively, county Extension faculty members in each county office hold titles which reflect their roles and general position descriptions. Further, each county faculty member earns academic rank.
- 6C1-6.007 IFAS; Qualifications and Appointment of County Extension Faculty - These are the Rules of the Department of Education, Division of University, Florida State Statues.
- Academic Ranks
- Titles of County Extension Faculty - The organizational structure calls for several descriptive titles which are based primarily on the agent's program function or role, independent academic rank. The County Extension Faculty titles are listed in this document.
- Responsibilities of each faculty title