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. Check out this video on what it’s like to work for NC State Extension.

No two days in Extension are ever the same, there is always something new! Extension Agents are active in their communities and often need to meet the clients when and where they are available. This is not your typical desk job!

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 (https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

The County Extension Director is a leadership position with Cooperative Extension at North Carolina State University. The major responsibility of the job is to provide leadership for and coordinate the efforts of the county Extension staff in developing an effective total county Extension educational program in cooperation with North Carolina A&T State University’s Cooperative Extension Program.

The position requires a dynamic individual to provide visionary leadership for a comprehensive Extension program to meet the needs of all segments of the population. The County Extension Director serves as the County Extension administrative leader with responsibilities for administration, public policy issues, and community/leadership development. The County Extension Director is responsible for maintaining an effective advisory leadership system representative of all program areas. The County Extension Director provides leadership and expertise in coordinating/securing resource development for all program areas. Responsibilities include marketing Extension programs and impacts.

The County Extension Director must maintain a strong, collaborative relationship in assisting the staff in delivering educational programs with county government input and support. Also, to meet the needs of county citizens, the position must network and collaborate with agencies and organizations, county departments, schools, town officials, area agencies, and University and Extension personnel. The position will be responsible for coordinating staff development, training and maintaining the Affirmative Action Plan of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. The individual must demonstrate the ability to plan, organize, and work well with people.

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.

Nash County is a thriving community located just east of Raleigh and sits at the intersection of I-95 and I-87. The county seat and the Extension office are located in Nashville. As of the 2020 census, the population was 94,970. As of 2023, the biggest sectors in Nash County’s economy were manufacturing, healthcare, social services, retail, food and accommodation services and education. Nash County comprises 11 municipalities, all varying in size. Rocky Mount is the largest city in the county with over 55,000 residents and a bustling economy.

The Nash County Cooperative Extension office is located at the Nash County Agriculture Center and is home to the Nash County Arboretum. Nash County Arboretum is made up of 11 garden areas and has been creatively designed, planted and maintained by NC State Extension Master Gardener volunteers.

Nash County has a long history of agriculture and is known as a leading agricultural county in the state. Nash has 133,252 acres of land in farms with 375 farms with the average farm size being 355 acres. Today, Nash County’s top agricultural products are poultry, eggs, tobacco, and sweet potatoes.

Nash has seen huge investment in its infrastructure and facilities over the last couple of decades. As a result, its agricultural community is seeing growth in outdoor recreation, breweries, tournament sports and is becoming a hub for the arts and culture. Local attractions include children’s museums, planetarium, historic sites, unique shopping experiences and an array of recreational activities.

To learn more about the NCCE Nash County Center go to https://nash.ces.ncsu.edu/

For more information on Nash County, you may visit their website at
https://nashcountync.gov/

Duties and Responsibilities
The major responsibility of the job is to provide leadership for and coordinate the efforts of the county Extension staff in developing an effective total county Extension education program. Other responsibilities include organizing and allocating resources, marketing the Extension program, preparing budgets, maintaining administrative relationships, interpreting and communicating policy, teaching, evaluating, and reporting in the assigned county.

Responsibilities include organizing and allocating resources, marketing the Extension program, preparing budgets, maintaining administrative relationships, interpreting and communicating policy, teaching, evaluating, and reporting in the assigned county.

The ability to work with a wide range of people, staff, customers, elected officials, and volunteers is essential. The County Extension Director must maintain an effective, collaborative relationship in delivering educational programs by working closely with county government agencies and organizations, county departments, local officials, area agencies, University, and Extension personnel in nearby counties. This position is responsible for coordinating staff development and training, conducting performance evaluations, and aligning staff work responsibilities. The position will also be assigned programming responsibility for subject matter area(s).

Travel within the district, as well as occasional travel outside the district is required. Travel is reimbursed following state guidelines.

The major responsibility of the job is to provide leadership for and coordinate the efforts of the county Extension staff in developing an effective total county Extension education program. Other responsibilities include organizing and allocating resources, marketing the Extension program, preparing budgets, maintaining administrative relationships, interpreting and communicating policy, teaching, evaluating, and reporting in the assigned county.

The minimum requirements for the County Extension Director is either a (i) Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field related to Extension/educational programming, administration, organizational leadership, or public administration and a minimum of (3) three years of service with Cooperative Extension or similar work experience in a university or community outreach organization or program; or (ii) a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field related to Extension/educational programming, administration, organizational leadership, or public administration and a minimum of (10) ten years of service with Cooperative Extension or similar work experience in a university or community outreach organization or program. A candidate applying with a Bachelor’s degree and less than 10 years of experience must be actively enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program and confer the degree within one year of hire. Administrative and supervisory experience including experience with human resource development, fiscal resource management, and external relations is strongly preferred.

Candidates must possess educational leadership, strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility, a high degree of objectivity, excellent and effective oral and written communication skills, and the ability to work successfully with staff, volunteers, community leaders, and county officials. Department Required Skills The position requires someone with exceptional communication, managerial and leadership skills. Excellent public relations skills and the ability to connect the local program needs with N.C. State University’s mission are required. The ability to work with a wide range of people, staff, customers, elected officials, and volunteers is essential. The CED must maintain an effective, collaborative relationship in delivering educational programs by working closely with county government agencies and organizations, county departments, local officials, area agencies, NC State University, and Extension personnel in nearby counties. The successful candidate must have demonstrated the ability to plan, organize, and work well with people. Successful performance of the duties encompassed in the CED’s job requires that the individual possess educational leadership qualities, habits of industry, a sense of responsibility, a genuine appreciation for the work of the individual, a high degree of objectivity, and effective oral and written communication skills.

Potential candidates should have skills, abilities, or experience in the following areas:

-demonstrated leadership in Extension programming and management

-supervisory experience

-skills in human relations

-ability to negotiate

-public relations

-team building

-strong communication skills

-managing public policy issues and securing and managing outside funding and resources to develop innovative educational programming.

Agriculture, Family & Consumer Science or Community Development background preferred but not required.

Candidates should have abilities or experience in at least one of the following areas: agriculture or horticulture, community and resource development, administration, or appropriate Extension related subject matter; demonstrated leadership in Extension programming and management; supervisory experience and skills in human relations, negotiations, public relations, and team building; managing public policy issues; and securing and managing outside funding and resources to develop innovative educational programming; and the ability to work with people, staff, customers, elected officials, and volunteers.

Valid Driver’s License and reliable, personal transportation required. Valid North Carolina driver’s license is required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained.

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

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.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.