NC Farm to Early Care and Education Program Director

Company: North Carolina State University

Category: Extension and Outreach

Type: Full-Time

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Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:
The NC F2ECE Program Director will lead, oversee, and direct, in conjunction with the project Principal Investigators, all activities of the North Carolina Farm to Early Care and Education (NC F2ECE) Initiative. The position oversees the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of all elements of the Initiative, including developing and coordinating stakeholder trainings for Extension and partner organizations, representing the Initiative in statewide networks, and overseeing implementation of the Initiative's strategic vision. The role may also coordinate programmatic elements with the NC Farm to School program, where appropriate.

The Program Director serves as a key liaison to the CEFS Director, project Principal Investigators, and other statewide stakeholders, ensuring alignment of Initiative activities with project goals, Extension priorities, and broader local food systems efforts. The position will also collaborate with CEFS staff and partners on community-based local food systems work and participate in the CEFS Local Food Work Group.

Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program Leadership, Strategy, and Initiative Oversight

• Lead, oversee, and direct all activities of the NC Farm to Early Care and Education Initiative in collaboration with project Principal Investigators.
• Oversee the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of all Initiative programs and activities.
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the Initiative that aligns with CEFS and Extension priorities.
• Coordinate programmatic elements with the NC Farm to School program where appropriate.
• Serve as a liaison to the CEFS Director, Principal Investigators, and other key statewide stakeholders.
• Facilitate project meetings and ensure alignment across partners and collaborators.
• Work toward creating regional collaborations with Farm to ECE teams to share ideas, successes, and lessons learned.

Program Development, Training, and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop, lead, and coordinate stakeholder trainings for Extension personnel and other partners across North Carolina.
• Recruit and train childcare advocates, childcare center directors, teachers, and cooks across the state in Farm to ECE practices.
• Represent the Initiative in statewide networks and partnerships related to early childhood education, agriculture, and local food systems.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key statewide partners and networks.
• Present Initiative work at conferences, workshops, and educational events statewide.
• Organize and oversee the annual Farm to ECE Institute, including event planning, recruitment of trainers, and coordination of program logistics.

Collaborative Program Implementation and Technical Assistance

• Oversee implementation of the annual Farm to ECE Collaborative, including recruiting county teams and directing technical assistance to participating childcare programs.
• Provide training support directly to enrolled childcare programs and Extension partners.
• Support collaboration between local teams, Extension staff, and community partners engaged in Farm to ECE programming.
• Participate in the CEFS Local Food Work Group and contribute to broader community-based local food systems initiatives.

Grants, Budget Management, and Program Administration

• Assist with and lead grant proposal development to secure funding for ongoing Initiative activities.
• Develop and manage project budgets and ensure responsible stewardship of program funds.
• Prepare programmatic reports, publications, and materials for stakeholders, funders, and partners.
• Support data collection, program evaluation, and reporting requirements associated with Initiative activities.

Personnel Supervision and Project Coordination

• Supervise project fellows, interns, administrative staff, and new hires as needed.
• Provide guidance, mentorship, and oversight to support successful implementation of Initiative activities.
• Coordinate team communication and support project timelines and deliverables.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Work/Responsibilities:
The position will require periodic travel across North Carolina to attend and lead stakeholder meetings, trainings, and programmatic events. While driving a vehicle is not listed as an essential function of the position, a valid North Carolina driver's license is considered necessary to perform the job effectively due to the need to travel independently to various locations across the state. Travel may involve visiting partner organizations, childcare centers, Extension offices, and community sites.

In the event a qualified candidate does not possess a driver's license, the department will work with University Human Resources and the Office Equal Opportunity (OEO) to explore reasonable accommodation options that would allow the candidate to perform the essential functions of the position.

Minimum Experience/Education:

• Master's degree in relevant discipline, or Bachelor's degree, plus 5-7 years of equivalent professional related work experience.

Required Qualifications:

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, computer, project management, presentation, and writing skills.
• Must possess the following skills and abilities: superior communication skills, written and verbal; project management skills; ability to manage a multi-organizational project team; ability to work independently; ability to manage others; ability to interact with a varied and varied set of community stakeholders; experience in meeting facilitation; event planning and coordination; experience with grant writing/fund development.
• Project management and budgeting experience, including a demonstrated ability to provide strategic direction, develop and adhere to a work-plan, and manage personnel and contracts to implement activities and achieve objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• 4+ years of related training and relevant experience.
• Must be knowledgeable of general food systems, and of North Carolina food systems in particular, and experience with policy development, public health, childcare program infrastructure and operations, and local foods procurement.

Required License or Certification:

• Valid driver's license required.
• Valid NC driver's license within 60 days of start.