Extension Associate – Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship Coordinator

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience ($68,000 - $72,000)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week (additional hours as required)

Job Location: Raleigh or Asheville, NC

Department: Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)

About the Department

Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is a partnership of NC State University, NC A&T State University and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Center for Environmental Farming Systems develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. 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.

What we offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is seeking a Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship Coordinator position. This position will be an integral part of the Agricultural Education Team at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and lead programming for the Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship, the first registered statewide agricultural apprenticeship program on diversified vegetable farms in NC. This project brings together a large team of statewide agricultural education experts. Apprenticeships are a tried-and-true model of learning that have trained workers for careers in skilled trades for centuries. This registered apprenticeship program would provide both long-term hands-on training at a production farm and business planning training. The 12-month apprenticeship will become a model for other organizations to implement to increase agricultural opportunities for veterans in North Carolina.

The primary responsibilities of the incumbent include, but is not limited to:

Program Administration & Operations – 35%

• Oversee program logistics, hiring, social media, and communications.
• Organize apprentice gatherings/training and register the apprenticeship with ApprenticeshipNC.
• Work with NC State HR and Business teams to process payments and registration.
• Coordinate the Project Advisory Team (PAT).

Apprentice Support, Recruitment & Engagement – 30%

• Mentor apprentices, be the main point of contact from the beginning of the program, answer questions, orient during first week in training, and meet with apprentices regularly during the program to monitor their progress.
• Recruiting host farms and apprentice.
• Recruit host farms who are certified organic or transitioning to organic to participate in two registered apprenticeship programs.

Curriculum Development & Program Planning – 20%

• Support curriculum development and relationship with ApprenticeshipNC.
• Assist in developing and registering apprenticeship curriculum suitable for certified organic production.
• Assisting with cross program evaluation, long term strategic planning and grant writing for future funding of the program.

Research, Evaluation & Data Coordination – 15%

• Support evaluation efforts.
• Assist in creating research instruments for the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).
• Coordinate research efforts including recruiting, interviewing, and analyzing data collected about farm mentorship on organic and transitioning operations funded by TOPP.

Other Responsibilities:

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as agronomy, rural sociology, or agricultural education and year(s) of relevant experience in working with apprentices, farming or experiential agricultural education.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Excellent organizing, people, decision-making, project management, and time management skills are required, as is the ability to work well in remote and in-person settings.
• Must be capable of doing all the described activities independently as well as work with a team under direction of the Project Director and other members of the PAT.
• Must be comfortable to make decisions autonomously and work with little direction.
• Significant experience working with program evaluations and data management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as agronomy, rural sociology, or agricultural education and at least 10 years of relevant experience in working with apprentices, farming or experiential agricultural education.
• Familiar with CEFS, Farm Apprenticeship programs, applying equity principles to programming and working with various populations.
• Five or more years experience in management.
• Three or more years experience in vegetable production.
• Five or more years of experience working in a position related to agricultural education.
• Ten or more years experience involved in community and/or agricultural programming.
• Experience with resilience and equity frameworks.
• Experience working with NC State systems
• Knowledge and/or experience of CEFS programs.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

• Valid NC driver’s license or the ability to obtain within 60 days of start.

Valid NC Driver's License required: Yes

Commercial Driver's License required: No

Job Open Date: 10/19/2026

Anticipated Close Date: 10/30/2026; if posting is still active we are accepting and reviewing applications.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicant required documents: Cover Letter, CV/Resume, Contact Information for Professional References

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

Position Number: 00110033

Position Type: EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week): 1.00

Appointment: 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather: Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events: Mandatory - Medical Emergencies

Department ID: 111502 - Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)

EEO: NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

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