For more information about this position, or to apply online, visit the North Carolina A&T State University employment website: https://jobs.ncat.edu/postings/11798

Position/Classification Title: 

Research Operations Mgr.

Minimum Experience/Education:

Bachelor’s degree and two years of general research experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education:

Master’s degree from an accredited university in an agriculture related field; for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or comparable background in independent academic or instructional activities, will accept an undergraduate degree in agriculture and three or more years of experience in whole farm planning and operation, organic/sustainable small fruit and vegetable production, and high tunnel management in substitution.

  • Knowledge and experience in high tunnel production.
  • Strong verbal and oral communication skills.
  • Experience working with diverse audiences in both production agriculture and informal teaching.
  • Ability to prioritize tasks and efficiently use available labor and equipment.
  • Management experience in organizing and supervising individuals and enterprises.
  • Demonstrated skills in operating, adjusting, maintaining, and performing basic repairs to farm equipment such as mid-size tractor, disk, hand sprayers, planters, transplanter, plastic layer, mowers, and irrigation equipment.
  • Prior experience related to the direction/oversight of programs that focus the academic and research resources of a higher education institution towards community or regional issues.

Primary Purpose of Position:

The position provides leadership to Cooperative Extension program efforts, coordinating and managing on-site projects at the Small Farm Unit (SFU). Management includes planning and managing the 30-acre land for production, research, extension/outreach, and demonstration activities. Coordination includes maintaining adequate communication between the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service (NCDA&CS), farm staff, Research PIs from N.C. A&T and NC State, interns and apprentices, students, and extension personnel. Support includes plan and preparation of field plots, equipment, and facilities for specialty crops production. It is essential for the farm manager to maintain the SFU as an attractive educational and research center.

 Primary Function of Organizational Unit:

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.

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) is one of the three partners in the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), along with North Carolina State University (NC State) and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). The Small Farm Unit (SFU) of CEFS comprises 30 acres used for research, teaching, extension, and outreach projects that focus on organic and sustainable production practices to a wide variety of audiences. The SFU Farm manager will be housed in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

Apply online, here.

AA/EOE: 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, creed, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.