"Assistant Extension Agent, Commercial Horticulture & Field Crops"

Job Details

Posting Number: PG190785CE

Position Number: W-00062268-0925

Position Type: NC Cooperative Extension (EPS)

Job City & State: Shelby, NC

Department: NC Cooperative Extension - Cleveland

Working Title: Assistant Extension Agent, Commercial Horticulture & Field Crops

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Job Type: Full-Time - Permanent

FTE: 1.00

Essential Job Duties: 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.

While our employees are located in NC County offices, they reap the benefits of employment at NC State University. Some of our benefits include:

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

You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit: North Carolina Cooperative Extension gives our residents easy access to the resources and expertise of NC State University and NC A&T State University. County-based field faculty deliver unbiased, research-based information to North Carolina citizens in a variety of disciplines and subject matter areas including agriculture & natural resources, family & consumer sciences, community development, and 4-H youth development.

Primary Purpose of Position: This position will serve the field crops and commercial horticulture industries in Cleveland County, NC. Primary crops include corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, squash, tomatoes, other assorted fruits & vegetables, and greenhouse & nursery crops. The target audience includes both large-scale commercial producers and smaller-scale direct-to-consumer market growers.

The agent’s plan of work will focus on:

• Assessing the needs of the various mix of farmers.
• Planning, implementing, and evaluating educational strategies to help them maximize profits through adoption of best practices in crop production, farm management, and marketing.

The position will also serve as Cleveland County’s pesticide coordinator, collaborating with the NCDA&CS Pesticide Section to conduct pesticide schools and deliver recertification training courses for private and commercial applicators.

The agent will be supported in their work by a network of NC State University specialists, area specialists, and agent colleagues.

Duties and Responsibilities: The agent in this position is responsible for Extension programming in all phases of field crops, commercial horticulture, and pesticide certification in Cleveland County, NC. Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering Extension programs addressing crop production, farm management, and marketing.
• Coordinating pesticide schools and providing recertification training for private and commercial applicators.
• Utilizing Cleveland County’s agricultural profile to guide programming: 104,633 acres of farmland, with 45,000 acres dedicated to crop production; $215M in farm income annually (89% livestock/poultry, 11% horticultural and row crops); 26,283 acres of soybeans, corn, and wheat; Nearly 2,500 acres of commercial fruits & vegetables; $4.5M in annual nursery & greenhouse sales.
• Travel within the area is required. Occasional travel outside the county.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with agricultural service agencies, organizations, and industry professionals to enhance and fund program delivery.
• Market and promote educational programs and activities.
• Serve as a contributing member of the Cleveland County Extension staff team by: Collaborating with colleagues to achieve common goals; Completing assigned tasks and communicating effectively; Taking accountability for work; Contributing a positive attitude to the team’s overall effort.

Number of Permanent Employees this Position Supervises: N/A

Identify if the Position is Mandatory / Essential / Key: Not Applicable

Work Schedule: 8:00am-5:00pm, Monday-Friday. Nights and weekends as required.

Minimum Experience/Education: One of the following educational requirements: – A Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or a 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) in an agricultural or related field. The minimum GPA requirement will be waived for NCCE Program Associates with a Bachelor’s degree. – A Bachelor’s degree and the completion of at least one-half of coursework in a Master’s degree curriculum with a cumulative grade point average 3.0 or higher with at least one of the degrees in an agricultural or related field, or – Completion of a Master’s degree with at least one of the degrees in an agricultural or related field.

Department Required Skills:

• Ability to plan, implement, market, and evaluate educational programs.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Computer literacy and high level of comfort with technology.
• Ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities.
• Willingness to work as a team member and support a total Extension program.
• Habits of industry, a sense of responsibility, and a genuine appreciation for the worth of the individual.

The County Extension Area Agent is eligible to become a member of the non-tenure track/special faculty at North Carolina State University.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education:

• Extension or other professional experience
• High level of computer competency
• Resource-development experience
• Master’s degree

Required License or Certification:

• A valid driver’s license and reliable form of transportation

Valid NC Driver's License required?: Yes

Commercial Driver's License Required?: No

Physical Required?: No

Anticipated Hiring Range: $40,000-$50,000

Internal Transfer Only: No

Job Open Date: 09/16/2025

Quick Link: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/222872