Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences; Assistant, Associate

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

Special Instructions to applicants:

In addition to your application, please submit a resume, cover letter and the contact information for at least three (3) professional references.

Position Overview

Are you looking for a rewarding career that will let you give back to your community? 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. We are the model of excellence in non‑formal, research‑based education that advances agriculture, the environment, human health and well‑being, youth and communities, while creating prosperity for all North Carolinians.

Working for NC State Extension allows you to teach without being tied to a classroom and school bell.

Primary Purpose

The agent in this position will provide leadership for the development, implementation, evaluation, and marketing of an effective educational program in family and consumer sciences, including the areas of foods and nutrition, health and wellness, food preservation techniques such as pressure cooking, canning, freezing, and drying, the Serv Safe 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.

Duties and 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 Safe Plates 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 and Preferences

Educational Requirements:

• One of the following: A Bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 overall or 3.0 in family and consumer sciences (or related field) (4.0 scale); or a Bachelor's degree and completion of at least one‑half of coursework in a Master’s degree curriculum with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in family and consumer sciences (or related field); or completion of a Master’s degree in family & consumer sciences (or related field).

Department

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 and knowledge of educational technologies.
• Energetic, self‑directed, and self‑motivated with ability to multi‑task with little supervision.
• Willingness to work as a team member and support the total Extension program.
• Ability to network with community partners and agencies.
• Ability to connect with a broad audience base, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Willingness to participate in subject‑matter training, conferences, and professional development opportunities.

Preferred Experience , Skills, Training,

Education:

• 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…