Assistant/Associate Professor - Extension Urban Agriculture Specialist

NCAT is seeking an Assistant/Associate Professor - Extension Urban Agriculture Specialist in Greensboro, NC. This permanent, full-time position involves developing and managing statewide Extension programs focused on urban agriculture for limited-resource audiences. Responsibilities include delivering training, securing research funding, and assessing program effectiveness. The role supports small farms in revitalizing urban food systems and is part of the Cooperative Extension at North Carolina A&T.
Position Information

Working Title Assistant/Associate Professor - Extension Urban Agriculture Specialist Position Number 009094 Recruitment Salary Range Commensurate with education and experience FLSA Exempt Appointment Type Permanent - Full-time Tenure Track No FTE 40 hours/week, 12 months If Time Limited, Appointment Length Organizational Division Cooperative Extension Organizational Location College of Ag & Environ Sciences Organizational Unit Cooperative Extension
Classification Information

Classification Type EHRA
Position Overview

Primary Purpose of Position Provides educational leadership in the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of research-based, integrative statewide Extension programs that meet the needs of limited-resource and socially disadvantaged audiences. Delivers training and educational support materials for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) agents, technicians and their clientele/customers in urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture and food systems), consistent
with the philosophy, policy and overall mission, goals and educational objectives of Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. This position works both individually and collaboratively to plan, deliver, and assess the effectiveness of Extension programs relating to urban agriculture with a primary focus on opportunities for farmers to fill gaps in urban food systems. Secures external research funding for programs to engage underserved and limited-resource audiences in the revitalization and profitability of small farms.

This is a non-tenured track faculty (NTTF), twelve-month position at the rank of "Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice - Extension Urban Agriculture Specialist" in North Carolina A&T Cooperative Extension. Position's incumbent is eligible for title promotion and academically housed in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design.

As NTTF faculty, this position can be released, up to 25% of time and effort once per year, to teach for-credit academic coursework.
Primary Function of Organizational Unit Cooperative Extension 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, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and county governments - Extension at A&T is part of a dynamic and resourceful system. In addition to campus operations, Cooperative Extension at A&T has professional staff in many of the 100 counties in North Carolina and the Eastern Band of
Cherokee Indian Nation. For additional information, please visit ().

The Agriculture and Natural Resources Unit of Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T serves small, beginning and limited resource farms throughout North Carolina. Many of the clients served are fruit and vegetable operations, niche livestock farms, and other small entities. Following organic, holistic and regenerative practices are often a priority for our clients. Effective Extension programming, applied research, and production recommendations for this audience
must consider the small scale (1 -20 acres, less than $250,000 gross agricultural income) of typical stakeholder farm operations as well as the desire of some producers to avoid the use of pesticides and other conventional techniques that may be considered non-regenerative.

Resources available to specialists in this Unit include the 492-Acre University Farm with units representing the diversity of agriculture found in North Carolina including a Horticulture Unit consisting of over a dozen High Tunnel structures of various designs and configurations as well as ample field plots, both with significant Organically Certified spaces. All standard agricultural production equipment is available at the farm with many specialized implements applicable to small farm practices. Space and resources at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) in Goldsboro, NC are also available and encouraged for applied research. A cohort of Extension colleagues works together to serve our clients through the system of field staff in place across the state and by directly serving growers through public educational events, field days, and by producing educational materials of various types.
Minimum Requirements - Earned Doctorate from an accredited university in urban agriculture, sustainable agriculture, food systems, or a closely related field.
- Two years of experience in program management, cooperative extension, or non-formal education.
- Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Office).
- Strong oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities.
- Valid driver's license and reliable personal transportation.
- Ability to travel and work after hours/weekends as needed.
- Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds safely to conduct farming demonstrations and equipment training.
Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education - In addition to Doctorate, five or more years of professional experience in Cooperative Extension, urban agriculture research or outreach, sustainable agriculture and food systems research or outreach, academia, or the private sector.
- Five or more years of experience in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Experience with statistical analysis software.
- Experience planning, implementing, marketing, and evaluating educational programs.
- Ability to interact and gain support from constituencies outside the university such as business and industry, state and federal agencies and non-profit and private foundations
Required License or Certification Is this position eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies.
Primary Responsibilities and Duties

Function Administrative Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function. Extension Knowledge and Understanding
- Applies a comprehensive understanding of the philosophy and organizational objectives of North Carolina Cooperative Extension as an educational entity to assess and respond to the needs of limited-resource, socially-disadvantaged and small-scale farmers.
- Applies in-depth knowledge of state and national trends and relevant data in Extension research to the development of educational programs in urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems).
- Applies an understanding of the role of an Extension educator and others in the organization to build and maintain collaborative relationships with university, agency, and Extension personnel involved in the planning, management, and development of urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems).
Evaluation and Accountability
- Periodically evaluates and redirects existing programs to meet changing conditions in light of new knowledge and the latest economic and sociological trends.
- Utilizes appropriate evaluation techniques/tools to regularly evaluate content area programs as to relevance, effectiveness, and impacts.
Program Promotion and Marketing
- Keeps Extension personnel and related public and private groups within the program's target audience informed of current developments in urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems) through the use of mass and electronic media.
- Publishes research results on topics related to creating new economic opportunities for small-scale urban farmers in North Carolina.
- Prepares program accomplishment reports to share with internal and external audiences and assists with marketing the organization and its impacts.
Networking/Communication/Relationships
- Reports to the Assistant Administrator - Agriculture and Natural Resources of Cooperative Extension at N.C. A&T.
- Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with constituencies outside the university such as business and industry, state and federal agencies, and non-profit and private foundations concerned with the planning, management, and development of urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems) programs.
- Develops and maintains effective relationships with county Extension staff in planning, implementing and evaluating county-level urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems) programs.
- Develops and pursues a continuous program of professional improvement, attends selected conferences, workshops, seminars, state and department meetings, and various state or county shows and events as they pertain to urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems).
- Holds memberships and actively participates in professional societies in the field of urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems).
- Assists with university program activities.
Percentage of Time 25 Function Research Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function. - Conducts applied research related to urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems), on the A&T University Farm and on cooperating farms across the state. Percentage of time spent in applied research would vary in this position.
- Establishes a program of research focused on improving urban agriculture practices through
innovative methods and cutting-edge technologies that facilitate sustainable food production practices.
- Provides educational leadership in the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of research-based, integrative statewide Extension programs that meet the needs of limited-resource and socially disadvantaged audiences.
- Delivers training and educational support materials for ANR agents, technicians, and their clientele/customers in urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems), consistent with the philosophy, policy, and overall mission, goals, and educational objectives of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
- Works both individually and collaboratively to plan, deliver, and assess the effectiveness of Extension programs related to urban agriculture (sustainable agriculture & food systems).
- Secures external research funding for programs to engage underserved and limited-resource audiences in the revitalization and profitability of small urban farms.
- Complements other departmental and inter-departmental programs, and USDA-supported statewide and regional initiatives on production including crop and animal breeding and genetics, variety development, disease resistance, and postharvest biology.
- Assists with strengthening North Carolina's small farm economic viability and environmental integrity by offering relevant, valuable, and timely information that is generated and aggregated from CAES, agriculture-related agencies, and organizations.
- Connects a diverse set of actors within these systems, including farmers, Extension professionals, consultants, non-profits, government agencies, and others. These networks will include both face-to-face personal relationships and those mediated by communication technology.
- Assists with connecting farmers to a number of support agricultural production agencies and organizations that are critical to farming success and sustainability. This work might include investigating the viability of different crops or livestock, the effectiveness of low-cost approaches to an agricultural enterprise, or emergency and risk management concepts related to the role.
Percentage of Time 25 Function Instructional Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function. Cooperative Extension instruction is not for academic credit, but duties are defined as Teaching and Training work activities by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Farm and Home Management Advisors 25-9021.00).
As NTTF faculty, this position can be released, up to 25% of time and effort once per year, to teach for-credit academic coursework

Program Development and Coordination
- Designs and develops educational programs based on solid needs assessments and/or situational analysis of small-scale new, beginning, and current urban farmers in local communities.
- Keeps abreast of internal and external policies affecting short- and long-range operations.
- Researches and interprets trend and outlook information in natural resources relevant to protecting and improving small-scale urban farms in North Carolina.
- Maintains an up-to-date situational statement on the ...