Extension Agent - CRD (Duplin County)

The Extension Agent for Community and Rural Development ( CRD) in Duplin County is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating effective and comprehensive community resource development programs that meet the needs of the county and align with the mission and vision of the Cooperative Extension Program at NC A&T. Primary programming areas include leadership development for community leaders; training clients to access resources needed to take action as informed citizens in their communities; community problem evaluation and decision making, and training in public engagement and facilitation. The Extension Agent organizes, communicates, and delivers course materials in formal and informal instructional settings; collaborates with county and community-based organizations to deliver programs and recruit program participants; determines program needs and priorities by conducting needs assessments; and evaluates data collected from multiple sources including advisory committee members, county residents and program participants.

This role will support outreach and engagement efforts within Duplin County. Responsibilities include assisting with marketing, communications, and the development of program materials, with attention to clear and accessible messaging. Under the guidance of program staff, the individual will help develop and expand youth development, family and consumer sciences, and agriculture-related programs.

This position will also contribute to identifying opportunities for new or expanded programming that addresses community needs. In addition to supporting integrated programs and office operations, the role may include assistance with other audiences as needed. Collaboration with partner organizations and agencies that share similar goals will be an important component of this position.

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 civic engagement, community decision-making and governance, sustainable economic and social development, and entrepreneurship. The CRD 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.

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.

Bachelor's degree in agribusiness, rural sociology, community development, human development, rural development or closely related field; with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 overall or a 3.0 in the major field of study (based on a 4.0 scale), or completion of a Master's degree; a personal automobile and valid driver's license.

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;

This position may be eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies. N.C. A&T employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.