Extension Agent, Family & Consumer Sciences

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.

With Morganton as its county seat, Burke County is situated in the Catawba Valley River basin with the South Mountains to the south and the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west. A thriving tourism industry is driven by the charm of growing downtowns and an abundance of natural lakes, rivers, forests, mountains and protected parklands. Lake James State Park, South Mountains State Park, Linville Gorge, and the Fonta Flora State trail are located in the county, as is a portion of the Pisgah National Forest. Because of the size of these park and forest lands, the U.S. government and the state of North Carolina are two of the three largest landholders in the county.

Our office offers a panoramic view of some of the local highlights such as the Blue Ridge Mountains, Table Rock, is home to the western campus of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and the historic North Carolina School for the Deaf, and Broughton Hospital. The latest population estimates are 90,000. Burke County was recognized by Reader's Digest as one of the top ten places to raise children, while the County was also voted as a top place of where to retire. As you see there is a good mix of opportunities for both young and old in Burke County.

Primary Purpose of Position
The agent in this position will provide leadership for the development, implementation, evaluation, and marketing of an effective educational program in family and consumer sciences, including the areas of foods, nutrition, and health.

The agent will collaborate and network with other agencies, groups, and organizations with similar missions. Additional responsibilities will include recruiting and training Extension Master Food Volunteers providing leadership supervision and assistance as needed. The professional in this position must be energetic, enjoy working with individuals as well as groups, be able to work with broad audiences, and have the ability to multi-task with little supervision.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit
The professional in this position provides leadership to educational programs focused on improving health through nutrition food programs including commercial and retail food safety and certification, food preservation, processing and value-added products. The successful candidate will have the ability to identify opportunities for providing assistance to community partners in areas of improving and supporting healthy eating and physical activity. Knowledge of food preparation that encourages good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle is needed.

Duties and Responsibilities
The successful candidate is expected to be a team player working with Extension staff and other organizations, possess a high degree of subject matter competence, possess excellent oral and written communication skills, and have the ability to work independently. The individual should be comfortable speaking/making presentations to groups.

Essential job duties include:
Coordinate with collaborating agents and other agencies to plan and implement programs.
Facilitate the collection of appropriate demographic and evaluation data using specified tools.
Purchase and prepare food and supplies for program-specific taste tests.
Track and spend within provided budgets for each program.
Participate in training.
Travel within assigned counties and to state offices.
*Track and maintain program-related paperwork such as data, inventory, and other documentation.

Assist the 4-H/youth agent with food and nutrition related programming.

* Be active in the community by joining health/nutrition related boards to serve a broad audience.

Maintain a clean, neat and functional kitchen workspace
Seek out donations and conduct fundraisers to support the FCS program and overall Extension mission.

*Conduct meaningful evaluations of programming to show impact on clientele.

One of the following educational requirements: - A Bachelor's degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or a 3.0 in family and consumer sciences (formerly known as home economics) or a related field (based on a 4.0 scale). The minimum GPA requirement will be waived for NCCE Program Associates with a Bachelor's degree. - A Bachelor's degree and the completion of at least one-half of coursework in a Master's degree curriculum with a cumulative grade point average 3.0 or higher with at least one degree in family and consumer sciences (formerly known as home economics) or a related field, or - Completion of a Master's degree with at least one degree in family and consumer sciences (formerly known as home economics) or a related field.

The person in this position must be self-directed and possess a strong work ethic. The successful candidate should be energetic, innovative, and a good manager of time and other resources. Organizational, interpersonal, marketing, and networking skills are desirable. Other skills needed include knowledge and experience in educational presentations, public relations and marketing, print media, leadership, and computer usage. The ability to evaluate programs and document contacts and impacts is essential. This position is responsible for the development, recruitment, implementation and evaluation of the entire FCS program.

A Master's degree at time of hiring is desirable, with at least one degree in family and consumer sciences, nutrition or related sciences. The expectation is that a Master's degree will be pursued after hiring.

Grantsmanship skills and experience with the ability to secure and manage outside funding resources in order to develop innovative programming is desired.

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.

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.