Extension Agent, Ag-Horticulture

Primary Purpose of Position
This position will be responsible for Horticulture programming in Dare County. The Horticulture Agent is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating an outcome-based program addressing issues and opportunities identified in Dare County. The agent in this position must have technical competence in both consumer and commercial horticulture and in the delivery of non-formal education programs, and the identification of plants and pests and the diagnosis of plant problems. The agent in this position develops and works with stakeholder-based committees that provide direction for Extension programs; works with community organizations to effectively link Extension with local resources and clients; and assists effectively with recruiting, training, and managing Extension Master Gardener and other volunteers to expand outreach efforts. In addition, this agent will provide support to community gardens and work towards developing a youth horticulture program.

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.

Dare County has a strong and thriving Extension Master Gardener volunteer program. The 75 Master Gardener volunteers regularly assist at the Dare County Extension Center, maintain the Outer Banks Arboretum, and have responded to more than 10,539 contacts in 2024 and provided hours of service equaling over $203,000. The group provides educational programs for its members as well as delivers programs throughout the community.

Dare County is located in northeastern North Carolina along the Atlantic seaboard. Dare County stretches along almost 110 miles of shoreline known as the Outer Banks. The County seat at Manteo is approximately 200 miles east of Raleigh, the State capital, and 90 miles south of Virginia Beach-Norfolk, Virginia, metropolitan area. The County contains much of what is known as North Carolina’s “Outer Banks” resort and vacation areas and contains approximately two-thirds of the North Carolina coastline. Six municipalities are located within the county: Duck, Kill Devil Hills, Kitty Hawk, Manteo, Nags Head and Southern Shores. Dare County has a permanent population of approximately 38,000 residents.

For information about Dare County visit https://www.darenc.gov/

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

Duties and Responsibilities
The Agent works with homeowners, community groups, commercial horticultural crop producers, professional landscape and turf professionals, and others to increase their knowledge of horticultural issues and implementation of best management practices.

Additional responsibilities include assisting with recruiting and training new Master Gardeners, pesticide education as it pertains to horticulture and the green industry, and developing and coordinating youth horticulture programs.

This person must be self-directed, having the ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and schedules, have effective oral and written communication skills, and be willing to work with broad audiences. Grant writing and project management experience is essential. Computer, organization, interpersonal and networking skills are crucial for success. Ability to effectively deliver information via mass media including television, radio and social media is expected. Candidates must be willing to work with the staff to support the entire Extension program.

The person in this position must possess a high degree of horticulture subject matter competence and excellent people and communication skills, be computer literate, and have the necessary education and experience to lead a strong Extension education program in the assigned areas.

The professional in this position must be energetic, enjoy working with individuals as well as groups, be able to work with audiences, and have the ability to manage multiple tasks with little supervision. He/she must possess a high degree of subject matter competence, have the ability to work independently and as a team member interdisciplinary across subject matters as well as develop subject-matter-related 4-H youth horticulture programming.

Work Schedule 8:30 - 5:00, Monday – Friday, with some nights and weekends

One of the following educational requirements: – A Bachelor’s degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or a 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) in an agricultural or related field. 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 of the degrees in an agricultural or related field, or – Completion of a Master’s degree with at least one of the degrees in an agricultural or related field.

• A bachelor’s degree in horticulture related field is required. The agent in this position must have technical competence in horticulture and be able to deliver educational programs.
• Travel within the district is required.
• Occasional travel outside the district is required
• A Master’s degree at time of hiring is desirable. The expectation is that a Master’s degree will be pursued after hiring. A Master’s degree is preferred.
• Work experience with horticulture to include turf and ornamentals, home gardening, fruits and vegetables, pest management etc.
• Desired skills and abilities include the ability to manage volunteers, willingness to work as part of a team, strong written and verbal communication skills, and strong technology skills.

Apply online: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/232463