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.

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

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.

The primary function of the Mitchell County Extension Office is to provide Extension education and outreach programs to the citizens of Mitchell County, including but not limited to:

• Supporting crop, livestock, and horticulture farm operations.
• Mentoring 4-H volunteers, staff, and leaders
• Providing resources for nutrition, nutritional health, and food safety
• Building communities through leadership training and collaborations

More information about Extension in Mitchell County is at: https://mitchell.ces.ncsu.edu/

Mitchell County is located in the mountain region of western North Carolina and is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Avery County to the NE, McDowell County to the south, and Yancey County to the west. The county seat and Extension office are located in Bakersville. A portion of the Pisgah National Forest is located in the county and notable physical features include the North Toe River, Big Yellow Mountain, Chalk Mountain, and Roan Mountain.

Mitchell County is home to the Penland School of Crafts. Popular annual events held in the county include the Rhododendron Festival, Fall Festival of the Arts, Music in the Mountains Folk Festival, and North Carolina Mineral and Gem Festival at Spruce Pine.

Mitchell County has one of the richest mineral deposits in the United States. Fifty-seven different minerals are mined there, including mica, emerald, aquamarine, quartz, garnet, sapphire, kaolin, and feldspar. The county’s agricultural products include horticultural crops, Christmas trees, and beef cattle. Mitchell County’s estimated population was 16,000 in 2004.

More information about the county can be found at: https://www.mitchellcountync.gov/

https://www.visitnc.com/listing/fNAH/mitchell-county-chamber-of-commerce-visitor-center

The County Extension Director must be able to both lead and manage an interdisciplinary team, including coordination and alignment of agent educational programs to meet the needs of their clientèle and of county government. This is a county department head level position and the County Extension Director will be expected to perform at that level and be accountable. Close communications with both the County Manager and County Commissioners as well as with University administration is required.

The County Extension Director is required to have an active Extension Advisory Council that meets on a regular basis. This group of volunteers represents all Extension program areas and performs both as advisors and advocates for the local Extension program. The County Extension Director is responsible for all supervision, staff development, evaluations, and alignment of work responsibilities.

The County Extension Director is responsible for:

• Maintaining an effective advisory leadership system, representative of the program of work.

• Providing leadership and expertise in managing and coordinating resource development for all program areas, which include fiscal responsibility for county and state
appropriated funds.

• Marketing Extension programs and their impacts.

• Organizing and allocating resources.

• Preparing budgets, maintaining administrative relationships, and interpreting and communicating policy

• Teaching, evaluating, and reporting in the assigned county.

• Coordinating staff development and training, conducting performance evaluations, and aligning staff work responsibilities.

Travel within 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 a Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field related to Extension/educational programming and/or administration. Administrative and supervisory experience including experience with human resource development, fiscal resource management, and external relations is strongly preferred. In addition to the education requirement, candidates must have a minimum of three years of service with Cooperative Extension or similar work experience in a university or community outreach organization or program. Internal candidates must hold or be eligible to hold an appointment at the level of Associate Extension Agent or higher. External candidates must be eligible to hold an appointment at the level of Associate Extension Agent.

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.

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 broad 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 and statesmanship 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.

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.

Travel within the district, as well as occasional travel outside the district is required

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.