Are you looking for a rewarding career that will let you give back to your
community? NC State Extension extends research-based knowledge to all North
Carolinians, helping them transform science into everyday solutions that improve
their lives and grow our state. We are the model of excellence in non-formal,
research-based education that advances agriculture, the environment, human
health and well-being, youth and communities, while creating prosperity for all
North Carolinians. Working for NC State Extension allows you to teach without
being tied to a classroom and school bell.

While our employees are located in NC County offices, they reap the benefits of
employment at NC State University. Some of our benefits include:
· Paid time off
· Paid tuition
· Health Insurance
· Flexible Scheduling
· Retirement Savings
· Supplemental Benefits Programs
· WolfPerks!

You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition (https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

The County Extension Director is a leadership position with Cooperative Extension at North Carolina State University. The major responsibility of the job is to provide leadership for and coordinate the efforts of the county Extension staff in developing an effective total county Extension educational program in cooperation with North Carolina A&T State University’s Cooperative Extension Program.

The position requires a dynamic individual to provide visionary leadership for a comprehensive Extension program to meet the needs of all segments of the population. The County Extension Director serves as the County Extension administrative leader with responsibilities for administration, public policy issues, and community/leadership development. The County Extension Director is responsible for maintaining an effective advisory leadership system representative of all program areas. The County Extension Director provides leadership and expertise in coordinating/securing resource development for all program areas. Responsibilities include marketing Extension programs and impacts.

The County Extension Director must maintain a strong, collaborative relationship in assisting the staff in delivering educational programs with county government input and support. Also, to meet the needs of county citizens, the position must network and collaborate with agencies and organizations, county departments, schools, town officials, area agencies, and University and Extension personnel. The position will be responsible for coordinating staff development, training and maintaining the Affirmative Action Plan of North Carolina Cooperative Extension. The individual must demonstrate the ability to plan, organize, and work well with people.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit
North Carolina Cooperative Extension gives our residents easy access to the resources and expertise of NC State University and NC A&T State University. Through educational programs, publications, and events, Cooperative Extension field faculty deliver unbiased, research-based information to North Carolina citizens. Our mission is to partner with communities and local governments to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land, and economy of North Carolina.

From its humble origins, Forsyth County has been known for its beautiful balance between rural and urban living. Winston-Salem, the largest city in the county, emerged many years ago as Forsyth County’s economic engine and today holds the title of fifth-largest city in North Carolina. The city is home to many large corporations, including but not limited to, Reynolds America, Truist Bank, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Hanes Brands, and two large healthcare providers, Novant Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health. Important agricultural and industrial products include tobacco, corn, soybeans, furniture, textiles, tractors, and optical fiber. Today, Winston-Salem is known as “The City of Arts & Innovation.” Various artistic expressions throughout the county range from an American Art Collection at the Reynolda House, the NC School of Arts, the Tanglewood Festival of Lights, the National Black Theatre, the Carolina Classic Regional Fair, and many more. Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem State University, and Salem College are three of the universities that are housed in the city along with excellent medical support aiding unique health and wellness programs for residents. Forsyth County has a beautiful landscape, which includes urban and rural communities. These areas are a composite of farms, villages, small cities/towns, and one large city. The county covers 408 square miles with a population of over 385,000 people.

To learn more about the NCCE Forsyth County Center, visit: https://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/
To find out more about Forsyth County, you may go to:https://www.co.forsyth.nc.us/

Duties and Responsibilities
The County Extension Director (CED) serves as the county Extension administrative leader with responsibilities for administration.

This is considered a county department head-level position, and the CED will be expected to perform at that level and be accountable. Close communication with the District Extension Director and the County Manager is necessary.

This position requires a dynamic individual to provide visionary leadership for a comprehensive Extension program to meet the needs of county citizens and maintain the affirmative action plan of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.

The CED is responsible for maintaining an effective advisory leadership system representative of the program of work.

The CED provides leadership and expertise in managing and coordinating resource development for all program areas, including fiscal responsibility for the county and state-appropriated funds, and allocated funds.

Responsibilities also include marketing Extension programs and their impacts.

Other responsibilities include organizing and allocating resources, marketing the Extension program, preparing budgets, maintaining administrative relationships, interpreting and communicating policy, teaching, evaluating, and reporting in the assigned county.

The ability to work with a wide range of people, staff, customers, elected officials, and volunteers is essential. The CED must maintain an effective, collaborative relationship in delivering educational programs by working closely with county government agencies and organizations, county departments, local officials, area agencies, and University and Extension personnel in nearby counties.

This position is responsible for coordinating staff development and training, conducting performance evaluations, and aligning staff work responsibilities.

The successful candidate must have demonstrated the ability to plan, organize, and work well with people.

Successful performance of the duties encompassed in the CED’s job requires that the individual possess educational leadership and statesmanship qualities, habits of industry, a sense of responsibility, a genuine appreciation for the work of the individual, a high degree of objectivity, and effective oral and written communication skills.

Travel within the district, as well as occasional travel outside the district, is required.

The major responsibility of the job is to provide leadership for and coordinate the efforts of the county Extension staff in developing an effective total county Extension education program. Other responsibilities include organizing and allocating resources, marketing the Extension program, preparing budgets, maintaining administrative relationships, interpreting and communicating policy, teaching, evaluating, and reporting in the assigned county.

The minimum requirements for the County Extension Director is either a (i) Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a field related to Extension/educational programming, administration, organizational leadership, or public administration and a minimum of (3) three years of service with Cooperative Extension or similar work experience in a university or community outreach organization or program; or (ii) a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a field related to Extension/educational programming, administration, organizational leadership, or public administration and a minimum of (10) ten years of service with Cooperative Extension or similar work experience in a university or community outreach organization or program. A candidate applying with a Bachelor’s degree and less than 10 years of experience must be actively enrolled in an accredited graduate degree program and confer the degree within one year of hire. Administrative and supervisory experience including experience with human resource development, fiscal resource management, and external relations is strongly preferred.

Potential candidates should have skills, abilities, or experience in the following areas: demonstrated leadership in Extension programming and management, supervisory experience, and skills in human relations, negotiations, public relations, team building, managing public policy issues, and securing and managing outside funding and resources to develop innovative educational programming.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in leadership and management, as well as expertise in delivering educational programs in Agriculture, 4-H Youth Development, or Family and Consumer Sciences.

N/A

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.



If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. 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. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.



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.