County Extension Director (NC Cooperative Ext)

In partnership with the New Hanover County Arboretum, we’re pleased to share the below opportunity on behalf of North Carolina State University. Interested candidates must apply directly at: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/216398.

North Carolina State University is currently seeking a County Extension Director who will also serve as Director of the Arboretum. This key leadership role involves overseeing all Extension and Arboretum staff, supporting professional development, conducting evaluations, and coordinating responsibilities within the county office. 

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!

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.

Primary Purpose of Position
The County Extension Director is an employee of North Carolina State University. The primary responsibility of this position 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. Our mission is to partner with communities and local governments to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land, and economy of North Carolina.
 
New Hanover County is the second smallest county in the state but is home to 220,000 persons. The city of Wilmington is the county seat and is rich in historical significance and home to many recreational and cultural sites and events. Important contributors to the local economy include the state port, tourism, pharmaceuticals, Corning, Verizon and General Electric. For more information about New Hanover County see http://www.nhcgov.com/

For more information on New Hanover County Extension, please visit: https://newhanover.ces.ncsu.edu/
 
Duties and Responsibilities
The County Extension Director will be responsible for the supervision of all Extension and Arboretum personnel by providing staff development, performing, evaluation, and aligning work responsibilities for all agents and staff in the county office.
 
Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, organizing and allocating resources, marketing Extension programs, preparing budgets, maintaining administrative relationships, interpreting and communicating policies, teaching, evaluating and reporting for the assigned county.

The position also serves as Director of Arboretum, a locally high-profile role of the popular public garden.
The position requires travel within the county to oversee programs, and other occasional travel within the district and state.
Non-profit management and oversight is required for three affiliated non-profits, Friends of the Arboretum, Ability Garden, and EMGVA

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 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, and 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 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.

Department Required Skills

This position requires someone to have exceptional communication and leadership skills. The candidate will provide leadership and oversight to a large professional staff in a coastal tourism setting. Excellent public relations skills and the ability to connect the local needs with the mission of the universities through strong programs while considering the future of urban growth are required.
 
Extensive managerial skills required to supervise and train the staff that runs both the Extension Office and the New Hanover Arboretum. The Arboretum has a large collection of plants and is a popular tourist destination as a public garden. This effort is achieved by numerous volunteers and Master Gardeners throughout the year. See their website here: https://arboreturm.nhcgov.com/

Minimum Experience/Education

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.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education 
Prefer education/experience in community and economic development, administration, or appropriate Extension related subject matter.
Supervisory experience is important.
Strong horticulture experience preferred.
Non-profit management experience preferred.