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 4-H Extension Agent is a member of the field faculty of North Carolina State University and a professional educator. The 4-H Extension Agent for the 4-H Rural Life Center & Community Youth Recreation Director has primary responsibility for planning, executing, and evaluating effective 4-H programs that utilize the 4-H Rural Life Center and community recreational opportunities to meet the needs of the county population and supports the mission of the 4-H organization, which is to develop youth and adults working with those youth to realize their full potential, becoming effective contributing citizens through participation in research-based, non-formal, hands-on educational experiences. The 4-H Extension Agent aligns programs with the traditional 4-H Extension Agent and cooperates with colleagues in North Carolina Cooperative Extension, county leaders and serves as community liaison across the county in performing assigned responsibilities. The performance of assigned responsibilities is governed by the philosophy, objectives, policies, and procedures of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

The individual in the position will provide leadership for the 4-H Rural Life Center and serve as Community Youth Recreation Director and will be responsible for determining programming needs, planning, budgeting, marketing, implementing, and evaluating programs. This position will also be involved in training 4-H volunteers and staff, delivering community 4-H recreational and community youth development programs, and providing opportunities for leadership development and community relations.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit
NC Cooperative Extension is the educational outreach arm of the North Carolina State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, in collaboration with NC A&T State University. The two Land-Grant institutions provide research-based information, programming and technical assistance to all North Carolina citizens, addressing 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: U.S. Department of Agriculture, state and county governments, Cooperative Extension is able to bring a wide variety of resources to all 100 North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. North Carolina 4-H is North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s youth development arm and it is the largest professional youth development organization in North Carolina, serving more than 250,000 youth annually. Nationally, 4-H impacts more than six-million youth across all 50 states and in more than 50 countries. Four-H offers programming to youth 5 – 18 years of age in STEM, Civic Engagement, Camping, Public Speaking, Clubs, and much more.

Halifax County is located in the Roanoke River and Tar-Pamlico River basins and encompasses an area of approximately 731 square miles. With a population of 47,711 (2022), Halifax County is a Tier 1 traditionally underserved county consisting of 53.3% African American, 39.9% white, 4% Native American, and 3.5% Hispanic in race and ethnicity. Halifax is the county seat and with one metro area, Roanoke Rapids, it is still a predominantly a rural agricultural county.

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

For more information on Halifax County, you may visit their website at
http://halifaxnc.com/

The Extension 4-H agent will be located in Halifax County and will be responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating effective 4-H programs that utilize the 4-H Rural Life Center and community recreational opportunities to meet the needs of the county population and supports the mission of the 4-H organization, which is to develop youth and adults working with those youth to realize their full potential, becoming effective contributing citizens through participation in research-based, non-formal, hands-on educational experiences. These programs will engage youth in positive life-skill development activities to address issues of everyday life, enhance the community and environment where they live and give them access to high quality, experiential programming to build life skills. The Extension 4-H agent shall:

● Coordinate, implement, and oversee programs that utilize the 4-H Rural Life Center and adjacent grounds for initiatives such as 4-H Summer Day Camps and community recreational opportunities

● Encourage and facilitate active cooperation amongst community members by articulating and demonstrating opportunities available to citizens.

● Serve as a liaison within communities to collaboratively develop opportunities to implement and/or house recreational opportunities

● Promote environmental and cultural development to improve quality of life and take advantage of the assets and unique features of each community location.

● Recognize and communicate other community needs county extension programs can fill such as healthy living, financial literacy education, horticulture programs, etc . . .

● Assist in the development of annual budget for programs under their leadership with County Extension Director and operate the program within budget parameters each fiscal year

Responsible for the planning, executing, and evaluation of effective and comprehensive community 4-H recreational and community youth development programs that meet the needs of the county’s limited resource population and align with the mission and vision of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

● Programs include leadership development for community leaders; training clients to access resources needed to take action as informed citizens in their communities; and training in public engagement and facilitation.

● When appropriate organize, communicate, and deliver course materials in formal and informal instructional settings; collaborates with county and community based organizations to deliver programs and recruit program participants

● Determine program needs and priorities by conducting needs assessments; and evaluates data collected from multiple sources including advisory committee members, county residents and program participants. Specific duties include providing educational outreach, technical assistance, and project implementation to build the capacity for community groups to implement effective strategies that will grow and sustain their participation in recreation, civic engagement, community decision-making and governance, sustainable economic and social development, and entrepreneurship.

● Agent encourages and facilitates active cooperation among community members by articulating and demonstrating strategies that promote environmental and cultural development to improve quality of life and take advantage of the assets and unique features of each community location.

● Acquire and maintain facilities and equipment necessary program areas assigned within established budgets and consistent with available resources.

● Develop and update on a regular basis a risk management plan that addresses risk associated with program areas under director’s leadership, institute necessary actions to minimize program risk.

● Serve as group leader and/or instructor when needed

4-H Rural Life Center Responsibilities
Coordinate and implement a comprehensive 4-H Summer Day Camp for hundreds of youth annually

● Utilize 4-H curriculum to develop “learn by doing” camps that provide action based development of essential life skills

● Oversee the hiring of 10-15 temporary staff to serve in the implementation of summer camp

● Provide leadership to the recruiting and selection of program staff for programs

● Provide leadership for orientation, peer-service and in-service training for program staff and general staff development activities for program staff under supervision

● Provide on-going supervision, support and evaluation to the program staff in his/her area through regular staff meetings and individual conferences.

● Develop schedules and assignments for program staff in cooperation with other program directors taking into consideration both direct program responsibilities and responsibilities to maintain facilities and equipment

Leadership Development & Community Relations:

● Recruit, develop and train youth and adults as leaders to assist with the implementation of various recreational opportunities. Ensure that all Client Protection guidelines are implemented within the 4-H Youth Development program area. Ensure that the 4-H Leadership is representative of the diversity of the county population.

● Generate and utilize evaluation data on programming to document and publicize accomplishments. Share program outcomes with community and elected officials to help them understand the value of Extension.

● Demonstrates open, collaborative and efficient communication with all Extension personnel, especially Traditional 4-H Agent as there are abundant opportunities for collaboration to reach paralleled objectives outlined in respective programs of work. Works with Traditional 4-H Agent to provide research based information in a customer friendly manner to clientele with unique and ever changing needs. Network and build relationships among diverse groups and individuals to market and support for Extension.

Customer Service, Professional Standards and Organizational Improvement:

● Model and promote excellent customer service to all internal and external constituents. Expand professional knowledge through training, classes, and seminars. In accordance with the University’s four pillars of employee well-being: belonging and engagement, health and wellness, career success, and financial stability, it is strongly recommended that some portion of the professional development is related to well-being. Other duties as assigned.

● Maintains a system to provide clientele information on a timely basis.

Leadership & Advisory Councils

● Determine appropriate volunteer positions and provide necessary training and support

● Recruit, develop and utilize youth and adults to be active members of the Halifax County Extension Advisory Leadership Council to help address local issues, conduct and evaluate programs and identify opportunities

● Provide needed insight to integral entities that support the 4-H Rural Life Center and the initiatives of Halifax County 4-H

● Be responsible for program administration: maintaining accurate records, assuring that the program is in compliance with local, state and national regulations – to include but not be limited to the NC State University Programming with Minors regulations, NCSU REPORTER, 4-H online, American Camping Association and Halifax County, general financial management and county 4-H club accounts, charters, as well as USDA-NIFA and IRS compliance

The applicant must be self-directed and possess a strong work ethic The Extension Agent and must be willing to travel for trainings and programs as well as work overnight and or weekend for events and or trips.

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 child or youth development 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 child or youth development or related field, or – Completion of a Master’s degree with at least one of the degrees in child or youth development or related field. Also required: a personal automobile; computer literacy; strong oral and written communication skills; the ability to plan, implement, market, and evaluate educational programs; willingness to work as a team member and support a total Extension program; and the ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities. Personal Attributes: Successful performance of the duties encompassed in the County Extension Agent’s job requires that the individual possess habits of industry, a sense of responsibility, and a genuine appreciation for the worth of the individual. The employee must be adept in both oral and written communication. The County Extension Agent is eligible to become a member of the non-tenure track/special faculty at North Carolina State University. The County Extension Agent has primary responsibility for planning, executing, and evaluating that phase of county Extension programs within assigned areas of program responsibility. The County Extension Agent cooperates with colleagues in the North Carolina Cooperative Extension and county leaders in performing assigned responsibilities. The performance of assigned responsibilities is governed by the philosophy, objectives, policies, and procedures of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

A Bachelor’s degree in child or youth development, family and consumer sciences, or a related discipline is required.

The successful candidate must have experience in working with both adult and youth audiences.

Candidates must be willing to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends and be able to handle multiple tasks and establish priorities.

The applicant must be self-directed and possess a strong work ethic with skills in leadership, communications, grantsmanship, networking, budgeting and public relations.

N/A

Valid driver’s license and reliable, personal transportation required. Valid NC 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.