Consumer Horticulture Extension Program Assistant​/Associate

Position Overview

Consumer Horticulture Extension Program Assistant/Associate – 12‑Month recurring, Full‑Time, 1.00 FTE, located at New Hanover County Center, Wilmington, NC.

• Paid time off
• Paid tuition
• Health Insurance
• Flexible Scheduling
• Retirement Savings
• Supplemental Benefits Programs
• Wolf Perks!

• Coordinate administrative and program support for Consumer Horticulture programming, including the Extension Master Gardener volunteer program, the Extension Plant Clinic, Nature at Home certification, and Arboretum tours.
• Track and support the annual recertification process for Extension Master Gardener volunteers by monitoring required volunteer service hours, continuing education hours, and monthly reporting.
• Maintain accurate volunteer contact information and status records; update records as needed.
• Manage Extension Master Gardener Intranet content (volunteer opportunities, education opportunities, announcements, calendars, and reporting reminders); monitor reporting compliance and completeness.
• Draft the weekly email update to volunteers with program announcements, volunteer opportunities with sign‑up links, and continuing education opportunities.
• Coordinate and administer an annual Extension Master Gardener survey, including distribution, collection, organization of responses, and basic summary support.
• Support recognition activities for volunteers, including service milestones, awards, and event‑related materials as assigned.
• Coordinate staffing for Plant Clinic volunteer shifts to meet coverage needs.
• Maintain Plant Clinic reference materials and resources; order new supplies as needed.
• Complete monthly data entry for program impact logs (e.g., soil, seed, backpack logs).
• Process Nature at Home applications and payments by reviewing for completeness, coordinating approvals, and tracking status through completion.
• Coordinate and schedule Nature at Home site visits by communicating with applicants and volunteer evaluators and confirming logistics.
• Coordinate and schedule volunteer‑led guided tours at the Arboretum, including calendar management and volunteer communication.
• Compile monthly attendance, contact totals, and required demographic data from sign‑in sheets and program records; enter data into the Extension Reporting System and maintain supporting documentation.
• Provide customer service support for program requests and inquiries, routing questions, coordinating schedules, and communicating program information to the public and volunteers.
• Assist with logistics and communications for events and program activities such as Master Gardener course and graduation, off‑site Plant Clinics, and annual flagship events (Tree Fest, Plant Sale, Cape Fear Native Plant Festival, etc.).
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality when handling volunteer records, participant information, and internal program documents, following North Carolina Cooperative Extension policies and guidelines.

Minimum requirement: high‑school diploma or equivalent. Advanced training in related fields is preferred.

• Engaging, relationship‑focused interpersonal skills; enjoys working with volunteers and providing responsive customer service.
• Highly organized and detail‑oriented; manages recurring deadlines, schedules, and multiple priorities.
• Strong written communication skills for clear, friendly volunteer updates, instructions, and public‑facing messages.
• Solid computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office and Google Workspace (Drive, Docs, Sheets); comfortable with email, spreadsheets, basic database entry, webinars, and social media tools.
• General knowledge of horticulture and interest in public education and volunteer‑driven programming.
• Extension Master Gardener certification or similar horticulture training (preferred).
• Experience with volunteer coordination/management (preferred).
• Website management experience (preferred).
• Coursework or training in science or a related field beyond high school (preferred).

Valid North Carolina driver’s license required.

Physical requirements:

none. Anticipated salary: $32,562, commensurate with experience.

NC State University is an equal opportunity…