Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences (Assistant, Associate, or Full)

About the Role

NC State Extension extends research-based knowledge to all North Carolinians, helping them transform science into everyday solutions that improve their lives and grow our state. Working for NC State Extension allows you to teach without being tied to a classroom and school bell.

Primary Purpose

Provide leadership for the development, implementation, evaluation, and marketing of an effective educational program in family and consumer sciences, including foods and nutrition, health and wellness, food preservation techniques (pressure cooking, canning, freezing, and drying), the ServSafe program, and local foods. The agent will be responsible for recruiting and training Extension Volunteers and serving as an advisor to the Extension Volunteer Association.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in planning, implementing, marketing, and evaluating educational programs and activities with measurable impacts
• Be a team player and support the total Extension program
• Network with broad audiences, customers, volunteers, Extension Specialists, and the local Extension staff
• Actively seek outside resources to enhance the program
• Develop and implement innovative strategies for presenting educational programs
• Provide leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of an effective family & consumer sciences educational program to meet the needs of the county, including emphasis on nutrition, food safety, and local foods
• Manage & grow a team of Extension Master Food Volunteers in the county to support programming initiatives
• Coordinate and facilitate SafePlates food manager training on a regular basis
• Work closely with 4-H staff and volunteers to provide cooking and local foods programming to fit the needs of the overall extension program
• Serve as the Local Foods Coordinator for the county
• Coordinate monthly food demos at a local food pantry (10 months of the year) and at a local farmer's market one Saturday a month (6 months of the year)
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

Education (one of the following):

• A Bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 overall or a 3.0 in family and consumer sciences (formerly home economics) or a related field (4.0 scale). The minimum GPA requirement will be waived for NCCE Program Associates with a Bachelor's degree.
• A Bachelor's degree and completion of at least one-half of coursework in a Master's degree curriculum with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, with at least one degree in family and consumer sciences or a related field
• Completion of a Master's degree with at least one degree in family and consumer sciences or a related field

Required Skills:

• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong work ethic
• Excellent time and resource management skills
• Ability to plan, organize, and set priorities
• Computer literacy, technical competencies, and knowledge of educational technologies and their appropriate use in the development and delivery of educational programs
• Energetic, self-directed, and self-motivated with the ability to multi-task with little supervision
• Ability to work independently or in team settings, with individuals as well as groups
• Willingness to work as a team member and support a total Extension program
• Ability to network with community partners and agencies and maintain working relationships
• Ability to connect with a broad audience base, volunteers, and stakeholders
• Willingness to participate in subject-matter training, conferences, and professional development opportunities
• Valid Driver's License and reliable, personal transportation required. Valid North Carolina driver's license required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited university in a field related to Family & Consumer Sciences, food and nutrition, or a combination of education and work that would prepare someone for this role
• Experience in planning programs
• Experience working effectively as a team member
• Experience and knowledge in mass media, marketing, and presentations
• Skills in leadership, citizenship, budget management, and public relations
• Ability to recruit, train, and supervise volunteer leaders to extend programming to the broadest audience possible
• Knowledge of local food systems in WNC
• Knowledge of basic nutrition & home cooking skills
• Ability to manage volunteers

This position may be hired at the Assistant, Associate, or Full Agent level if the selected candidate meets the required qualifications.