Extension Agent, Ag (Assistant, Associate, or Full)

Location: Greenville, NC | Department: NCCE Pitt County | Appointment: 12‑month recurring, full‑time permanent (FTE 1.0)

About the role

NC Cooperative Extension in Pitt County is seeking an Agriculture Extension Agent to provide leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs serving the county’s population in field crops (tobacco, corn, cotton, peanut, small grains, soybeans) and pesticide education. The agent will serve as the county pesticide coordinator, delivering training for private, public, and commercial operators to obtain and maintain licenses. The position involves developing specific educational programs and collaborating with other agencies, organizations, and community groups to reach audiences throughout the county. The role may be filled at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Agent level depending on qualifications.

Pitt County is the economic hub of northeastern North Carolina, home to East Carolina University and ECU Health Medical Center. Though now classified as an urban county, it remains the thirteenth largest agricultural economy in the state with 367 farms and over 150,000 acres of farmland. Pitt ranks fifth in peanuts, sixth in soybeans, seventh in cotton, and in the top twenty for corn and wheat, placing eighth overall in crop production statewide.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain organized agriculture programs aligned with the mission of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
• Market agriculture programs and services to the community using various media.
• Assess and evaluate agriculture programs and services regularly to determine clientele needs and impact.
• Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers to assist with program implementation and maintenance.
• Collaborate with other Extension programs, staff, agencies, and community organizations to meet agriculture program needs.
• Promote agriculture within the community.
• Develop programs that comply with NCCE, NC State University, NC A&T State University, state, county, and national laws, policies, and guidelines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate must be self‑directed, capable of managing multiple responsibilities and schedules, and possess strong oral and written communication skills. Comfort working with broad audiences and openness to grant writing and project management are expected.

Requirements

Minimum education/experience (one of the following)

• Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 overall or 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in an agricultural or related field. (GPA requirement waived for NCCE Program Associates with a Bachelor’s degree.)
• Bachelor’s degree plus completion of at least half the coursework for a Master’s degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, with at least one degree in an agricultural or related field.
• Completed Master’s degree with at least one degree in an agricultural or related field.

Required skills and qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in crop science, agronomy, or a closely related field.
• Travel within the district required; occasional travel outside the district required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Self‑directed and self‑motivated with ability to multi‑task and set priorities.
• Strong work ethic with skills in leadership, communications, networking, budgeting, and public relations.
• Excellent time and resource management skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, and work well with people.
• Ability to network with community partners and agencies and maintain working relationships.

Required licenses/certifications

• Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation required.
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license required within 60 days of hire to operate a state vehicle; must be maintained.
• Commercial Driver’s License not required.
• No physical or medical/drug tests required beyond standard employment conditions.

Qualifications (preferred)

• Master’s degree preferred; expectation that a Master’s degree will be pursued.
• Previous Cooperative Extension and/or relevant experience preferred.
• Strong computer and technical competencies, including experience