Extension Technician

High school diploma or equivalency and demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Requires North Carolina Pesticide License May require CDL

High School Diploma or equivalency and one year of related plant production experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.
2 years' experience working (hands-on) in horticulture with a focus on vegetable production and at least 1 years' (hands-on) experience with high tunnel, greenhouse and/or organic production systems are preferred over office experience.
Some college preferred.
Knowledge of agroforestry and food safety
Experience 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 how to 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.
Must be able to lift at least 50 lb and work in inclement weather.

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. The Program Assistant is responsible to the Extension Specialist for Horticulture under the leadership of the Agricultural and Natural Resources ( ANR) Program Leader. Duties include crop establishment and maintenance; harvesting/post-harvest handling of crops; greenhouse and high tunnel management; record keeping , data collection and entry; and communication with clientele, members of producer groups and non-government organizations, co-workers, and other organization staff.

N.C. A&T is a public, land-grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 14,311 students in Fall 2024, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master's programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America's top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor's programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks no. 3 in master's degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master's degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation.

Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as "R2-High Research Activity" in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve "R1-Very High Research Activity" status. It also holds Carnegie's earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities ( APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher-education economic driver in North Carolina's Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as "best for business" by the CNBC financial network.

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.

- Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the area of specialization, the program, process, and organizational operation.
- Provides technical, hands-on support for demonstration and educational programs in horticulture and natural resources
- Establishes and maintains crops, including activities of planting, fertilizing, pest control, and other horticultural and agricultural tasks.
- Harvests crops and handles post-harvesting duties, including plot clean-up
- Manages greenhouse and high tunnels.
- Uses and maintains job related tools, equipment and facilities

Responsible for record-keeping, including data collection and entry as well as evaluations using common office type software programs

Interacts positively with clientele, members of producer groups and non-government organizations as well as co-workers and other organization staff

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.

Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more;