Outreach Extension Assistant

For more information about this position, or to apply online, visit the North Carolina State University employment website: https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/103915

Job Duties:

The primary purpose of this Outreach Extension Assistant position is to provide broad support of the outreach efforts CEFS’ Farm to School (F2S) Initiatives and the Farm to School Coalition of NC. The Extension Assistant will report to CEFS’ F2S coordinator and support CEFS’ Farm to School efforts, and will manage coordination of regular Farm to School Coalition of NC member meetings and work teams. Under the guidance of the CEFS F2S coordinator, the Extension Assistant will also assist the Farm to School Coalition partners to develop, design, implement, and access an outreach initiative, crafting an annual NC Award program for Farm to School. Other outreach efforts will include website maintenance, social media management, as well as development of materials and publications for promotion, training, education in support of Farm to School stakeholders. This position will be responsible for facilitating the gathering of project information and assisting in developing the information into a variety of outreach and training resources and well as databases for documentation and evaluation.

The Outreach Extension Assistant’s primary responsibilities focus on engagement with Farm to School partners across the state. The specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Work with Principal Investigators and project leads on Award development, promotion, implementation, data collection, and assessment.
• Support on development of promotional, training, and educational resources.
• Event support and Coalition logistical support.
• Social Media, listserv, website management and communications.

Department Skills:

• Must be knowledgeable of food systems and farm to school generally, the impacts of racial inequities and strategies for building Racial Equity in Food Systems/Farm to School.
• Clear racial equity lens and ability to analyze impacts of programs and processes.
• Knowledge of educational systems as well as farm to school challenges, needs, and key players.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral).
• Excellent organizing, people, decision making, computer and social media skills for a variety of audiences.
• Experience working independently as well as with multiple partners and on multiple projects, including a large state-level project.
• Demonstrated success supporting pursuit of goals and outcomes.
• Desire to learn and develop a network and skill sets in farm to school.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills Training and Education:

• Master’s degree in Food Systems, Agriculture, Rural Development, Education, Nutrition, Dietetics or related fields, or Bachelor’s degree in above disciplines with at least 3 years of related experience, possibly as an intern, apprentice, or early-career position in related area.
• A passion for educational systems as well as farm to school challenges, needs, and key players.
• Knowledgeable of food systems and farm to school generally, the impacts of racial inequities and strategies for building Racial Equity in Food Systems/Farm to School, and of the North Carolina context in particular.

Primary function of Organizational Unit:

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is a partnership of NC State University, NC A&T State University and the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Center for Environmental Farming Systems develops and promotes just and equitable food and farming systems that conserve natural resources, strengthen communities, improve health outcomes, and provide economic opportunities in North Carolina and beyond.

CEFS and the Farm to School Coalition of NC are multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams. The Farm to School Coalition of NC and CEFS both are committed to work through a Racial Equity lens and all work will be done with Racial Equity as a priority. By working with a Racial Equity lens we mean three things: 1) Acknowledge the presence of structures that shape life options and outcomes. 2) Analyze the impact of structures on a specific issue, condition, or population. 3) Develop structural strategies to interrupt inequities and improve outcomes and opportunities for all.

Apply at https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/103915.  You will be prompted to upload a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references.

AA/EOE: 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, please call 919-515-3148.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. If highest degree is from an institution outside of the U.S., final candidates are required to have their degree verified at www.wes.org. Degree must be obtained prior to start date.

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.