Please label all uploaded documents with your full name (for example: Jane_Doe_Resume). This helps ensure your materials are properly matched to your application.
If you are a currently active Polk State College employee, please create an account using your polk.edu staff email address. Our HR system will not recognize you as an active employee.
Description This position provides ongoing leadership in the development of agriculture science education courses/initiatives at Polk State College and reports to the Dean of Workforce Education. This position guides the effective implementation and evaluation practices of new agricultural courses that would lead to a program. It also provides leadership for a future FFA (Student leadership organization for students studying Agriculture Education) initiative and participates in Agriculture planning committees as needed. Essential Functions/Duties
- Develop and administer an agricultural education initiative working with middle schools, high schools, and non-traditional college students to ensure career readiness of students for positions in the agriculture, food, and natural resources areas.
- Design and develop curriculum frameworks in support of new agricultural courses/program initiatives.
- Provide oversight of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs of the agriculture education/science pathway.
- Manage the design and implementation of training, in-service, and leadership for agricultural education; lead the agricultural education workgroup.
- Understand the connections of other federal, state, and local agencies to high schools and to career preparation, particularly related to occupations in the agricultural education/science pathway.
- Partner with program coordinators, administrators, and instructors on curriculum and strategies to support college enrollment, retention, progression, and graduation goals.
- Lead communication regarding strategies for integrating agriculture with other academic areas, including the development of courses, field experience, and state assessments.
- Collect, create, and/or organize technical materials (industry standards, curriculum, Agriculture Education and FFA participation data, and assessments) as required for the development and implementation of a sound agriculture program initiative.
- Act as a liaison to post-secondary programs in the agriculture education/science pathway, including post-secondary education in community and technical colleges, private career schools, apprenticeships, and other occupational preparation programs.
Consulting Tasks:
- Consults with the Dean, program coordinators, internal and external leaders to ensure program progression and growth.
- Provide comprehensive CTE curriculum strategies and advise the Dean on best program practices, emerging trends, and needs.
Typical Qualifications
Required Skills:
- Strong understanding of agricultural science
- Curriculum Development
- Entrepreneurial and start-up mindset
- Knowledge of state and federal agricultural policies, grants, market trends, and compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to leverage multidisciplinary (internal/external) contacts to support program growth
- Project/program management in an educational setting
Working Conditions:
- This position is an on-campus position located at our campus. (Remote/hybrid options are not available.)
- Weekend and evening work may be required.
- Position may be required to work during college closures (such as winter/spring break and inclement weather closures).
- May require periodic attendance at program-related workshops or State/national conferences
Salary and Benefits Information
- This position is level P15.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.
Required Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, education, a CTE-related field, or other closely related accreditation.
Required Experience:
- Three years of experience in designing and developing curriculum, curriculum frameworks, and instructional resource materials, along with experience in education or training systems, including project management, instructional design, assessment, and program evaluation.
- Leadership experience in a public garden, regenerative agriculture, conservation, or destination/hospitality operations.
Preferred Education:
- Master’s degree or Industry Certifications in any agriculture discipline are preferred.
Note: A combination of education and related professional work experience may be considered year for year.Supplemental Information Submissions that do not include all parts of the following required information will not be considered:
- a resume.
- an electronic job application (all sections MUST be completed).
- unofficial transcripts.
Important Information
- If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
- Polk State College participates in E-Verify. Candidates must provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States. Polk State College does not provide visa sponsorship.
- To request Veteran’s Preference, please be sure to upload all necessary documents (DD-214, etc.) to your application.
- Polk State College is a drug-free workplace.
- Polk State College is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants and employees with disabilities. Reasonable accommodation is considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Employment visa sponsorship is unavailable for this position. Applicants requiring employment visa sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., F-1 STEM OPT, H-1B, TN, J1, etc.) will not be considered.
- Reference checks, successful completion of a background check, and third-party Education Verification for all stated degrees will be required prior to employment.
- Polk State College does NOT provide relocation assistance for this position.
Equal Opportunity Statement Polk State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs, activities, or employment. For information about the College’s equal access and equal opportunity policies and procedures, or to file a complaint, please contact:
Title IX Coordinator 3425 Winter Lake Road Lakeland, FL 33803 863.669.2903 compliance@polk.edu For additional information, visit polk.edu/compliance We encourage applicants to provide feedback on their experience or request help at Careers@polk.edu.
Benefits
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage; short-term disability; paid holidays and sick leave; vacation (excluding faculty positions); retirement benefits for eligible employees; and college fee waivers.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page.