Temporary Extension Technician - Horticulture

Minimum:
High school diploma or equivalency and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Preferred:
Some college preferred and at least one year of related plant production experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Two years of experience in working (hands-on) in horticulture with a focus on vegetable production and at least one years (hands-on) experience with high tunnel, greenhouse and/or organic production systems.

Knowledge of agroforestry and food safety

Experience in collecting and inputting data (i.e. crop yields).

Experience in preparing for field days, tours and other on-farm educational events.

Knowledge of how to successfully grow and harvest plants in the field and manage plants in a greenhouse and high tunnel.

Understanding of organic production.

Ability to use and maintain basic horticulture farm equipment (tractors and implements as well as hand tools) as well as basic computer software for recordkeeping.

Ability to lift at least 50 lbs and work in inclement weather.

North Carolina Driver's License

North Carolina Pesticide License once hired

The Extension Technician - Horticulture provides technical, hands-on support for demonstration and educational programs involving the North Carolina A&T State University Cooperative Extension Farm Units, especially the Horticulture and Natural Resources Unit. This position is responsible to the Horticulture Unit under the leadership of the Assistant Extension Administrator for Agricultural and Natural Resources ( ANR). Duties include crop establishment and maintenance; harvesting/post-harvest handling of crops; greenhouse and high tunnel management; recordkeeping, data collection and entry; and communication with clientele, members of producer groups and non-government organizations, co-workers, and other organization staff.

Required Competency - Knowledge - Technical
Duties:

Required Competency - Data Collection
Duties:

Required Competency - Communication
Duties:

The Cooperative Extension Program at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is an educational outreach organization within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. Cooperative Extension at A&T provides researched-based educational information, programming and technical assistance to limited-resource audiences that address a diverse range of issues in four programmatic areas - Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, Community and Rural Development, and 4-H Youth Development. Together with its partners - North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, state and county governments, a dynamic and resourceful system is formed. In addition to campus operations, The Cooperative Extension Program has professionally staffed offices in almost half of the 100 counties in North Carolina and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The Agriculture and Natural Resources programs of NCA&T Cooperative Extension help farmers diversify their traditional farms and begin new enterprises, offering new and innovative ways to grow food. The primary audiences are those farmers who are just beginning, those who are underserved, and those with small-scale acreage. Agricultural and Natural Resources staff conduct field days, tours, meetings and conferences, to deliver the latest information on farming practices and technologies, agricultural business management, natural resource conversation, food safety and gardening. They also develop and deliver programs in community-based and local food systems.

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. North Carolina A&T 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. North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.