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

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

Company: North Carolina State University

Job Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Category: Extension and Outreach

Type: Full-Time

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Position Number: NC-00111966-0426

Primary Purpose of Position

The agent in this position will provide leadership for the development, implementation, and marketing of an effective educational program in Consumer Horticulture in Forsyth County. Responsibilities include implementing and managing a large Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program and serving as Director of the Arboretum at Tanglewood Park. The agent will proactively conduct needs assessments and program evaluations to provide future direction for the program. This position will also assist consumers with questions regarding lawns, gardens, and landscaping plants.

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. Through educational programs, publications, and events, Cooperative Extension field faculty deliver unbiased, research-based information to North Carolina residents.

Forsyth County is located in the Triad Region of North Carolina in the North Central Extension District. For more information about Forsyth County, visit the County website at https://www.forsyth.cc/ces/ and the Cooperative Extension website at https://www.forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu.

Duties and Responsibilities

The agent is responsible for the Consumer Horticulture program area:

• Assess Consumer Horticulture program needs.
• Respond in a timely manner to Consumer Horticulture phone calls, texts, emails, face-to-face office visits, and other requests.
• Manage a Consumer Horticulture program advisory committee that will help identify programmatic needs, support programmatic efforts, and advocate for Extension in the local community.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community groups and stakeholders to support and promote the Consumer Horticulture program.
• Update with Consumer Horticulture information on the Forsyth County Website, Facebook, and other social media.
• Direct staff and volunteer efforts at the Arboretum at Tanglewood Park, including maintenance and educational activities in the Arboretum.
• Raise funds in support of the Consumer Horticulture Program and the Arboretum at Tanglewood Park.
• Participate in collaborative office teams and committees as assigned or as needed.
• Attend all required or assigned state and county training to keep professional skills current.

The agent is responsible for the Extension Master Gardener (EMG) volunteer program, providing direction, guidance, training, and administrative support to the volunteers. The following is a partial list of the agent's responsibilities:

• Manage a comprehensive volunteer program, including recruitment, selection, training, selection of volunteer activities, evaluation, data collection and reporting, and volunteer recognition activities.
• Determine volunteer service projects and opportunities based upon local needs and issues.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Coordinator to share responsibilities and duties related to the Extension Master Gardener volunteer program.

Departmental Required Skills:

A bachelor's degree in horticulture, crop science, agronomy, agroecology, or a related agricultural field is required.

Travel within the district and occasional travel outside the district is also required.

The candidate selected for this position shall possess a high degree of subject-matter competence, the ability to work independently and handle multiple demands, and the ability to set priorities and meet deadlines.

The candidate must be able to network with diverse audiences, customers, volunteers, Extension specialists, and local Extension staff.

The candidate must be a team player and support the total Extension program, possess strong oral and written communication skills, possess appropriate computer skills, and be willing to actively seek outside resources to enhance the program.

The candidate must be able to develop and implement innovative strategies for presenting educational programs and provide leadership in planning, implementing, marketing, and evaluating educational programs and activities with measurable impacts.

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education:

A Master's degree is preferred. Extension or other professional experience is desired.

Desired skills and abilities include the ability to manage volunteers; strong home landscaping background including pesticide recertification needs of our green industry; willingness to work as part of a team; strong written and verbal communication skills; and good computer skills.

Experience planning programs and working in diverse communities.

• Experience working effectively as a team member.
• Ability to manage time, as well as program, financial, and human resources.
• Experience and knowledge in mass media, marketing, and presentations.
• Skills in leadership, citizenship, budget management, and public relations.
• Experience in horticulture

Department: 117538 - North Central District- Forsyth

Location: Winston-Salem, NC