Extension Agent, FCS (Assistant, Associate or Full Agent)

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.

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

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 citizens.

Overview

The agent in this position will provide leadership for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) program in New Hanover County. In alignment with New Hanover County's strategic goals for community health, the agent will proactively conduct needs assessments and program evaluations to guide the future direction of local programming.

The agent will be responsible for delivering research-based education across the lifespan, with a focus on nutrition/healthy lifestyles curriculum, local foods programming, enhancing food safety, and improving food access for all county residents.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Program Planning & Implementation: Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate research-backed educational programs related to healthy eating, disease risk reduction, food preservation, life skills, and home economics, customized to meet the varied needs of New Hanover County residents.
• Local Foods & Food Access Initiatives: Develop and support initiatives that connect residents to local agricultural products, strengthen the local food system, and improve food security and food access in underserved communities and food deserts across the county.
• Food Safety Education: Provide robust training and public education on food safety, safe food handling, and home food preservation techniques (e.g., canning, freezing) to reduce foodborne illness and promote self-sufficiency.
• Strategic Alignment: Ensure all FCS programming actively supports and advances New Hanover County's overarching goals, particularly regarding public health, vulnerable populations, and community resilience.
• Volunteer Management: Recruit, train, and manage volunteers (including Extension Master Food Volunteers) to expand the reach and capacity of FCS programming.
• Teamwork & Independence: Work collaboratively as an integral member of the New Hanover County Extension team while demonstrating the ability to manage multiple tasks independently with minimal supervision.

Departmental Required Skills

• Computer literacy including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent time and resource management skills
• Personable, and able to build networking coalitions

Preferred Experience, Skills, Training/Education

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences, Nutrition, Public Health, Food Science, or a closely related field.
• Food safety certification (ServSafe or Safe Plates)