Assistant/Associate Professor- Extension Controlled Environment Agriculture Specialist

North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution is seeking a dedicated Assistant/Associate Professor specializing in Controlled Environment Agriculture. This role focuses on enhancing educational outreach and support for small farms, ensuring they can effectively utilize innovative agricultural practices. The successful candidate will lead the development and implementation of research-based programs, collaborate with various stakeholders, and secure funding to support community engagement. Join a vibrant academic community committed to excellence in education and impactful research, and help shape the future of sustainable agriculture in North Carolina.

Benefits

Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave

Community Service Leave

Health Benefits

Vision and Dental Insurance

12 Paid Holidays

Retirement System Benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Campus Recreation Center Discount

University Bookstore Discount

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in relevant field required.
• 3+ years of experience in Extension or educational programming.

Responsibilities

• Lead educational programs in Controlled Environment Agriculture.
• Secure funding for small farm initiatives.

Skills

Educational Programming

Communication Skills

Problem Solving

Community Engagement

Computer Literacy

Education

Doctorate in Controlled Environment Agriculture

Doctorate in Horticulture

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

MS PowerPoint

Job description

Posting Details

Classification Information

Classification Type	EHRA

Position Overview

The primary focus of this position will be Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), ensuring that small farms have the knowledge and resources to utilize these systems for profitable food production. This position provides educational leadership in the development, implementation, management, and evaluation of research-based, integrative statewide Extension programs that meet the needs of limited-resource and socially disadvantaged audiences. It delivers training and educational support materials for Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) agents, technicians, and their clientele/customers in CEA, including greenhouse production, high tunnels, indoor food production, mushrooms, vertical farming, microgreens, and hydroponics. These efforts align with the philosophy, policy, and overall mission, goals, and educational objectives of Cooperative Extension at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The position works both individually and collaboratively to plan, deliver, and assess the effectiveness of Extension programs related to CEA, with a primary focus on expanding opportunities for small farms. Additionally, it secures external research funding to engage limited-resource audiences in the revitalization, growth, and profitability of small farms.

This is a non-tenured track faculty (NTTF), twelve-month position at the rank of "Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice - Controlled Environment Agriculture Specialist" in North Carolina A&T Cooperative Extension. Position's incumbent is eligible for title promotion and academically housed in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design.

As NTTF faculty, this position can be released, up to 25% of time and effort once per year, to teach for-credit academic coursework.

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.

Primary Purpose of Position
Primary Function of Organizational Unit
Minimum Requirements	An earned doctorate in controlled environment production, horticulture, urban agriculture, sustainable agriculture, food systems, or a closely related field. Three or more years of experience in Extension, educational programming, or closely related work. In-depth knowledge of state and national trends and relevant data supporting Extension program development for Controlled Environment Agriculture.
Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education	In addition to Doctorate, 5 or more years of professional experience in Cooperative Extension program development. Ability to interact and gain support from constituencies outside the university such as business and industry, state and federal agencies and non-profit and private foundations. Computer literacy (proficiency in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Office). Strong oral and written communication skills as well as strong interpersonal skills. Ability to handle multiple demands and set priorities. Ability to think critically, solve problems and navigate complex situations professionally. Experience planning, implementing, marketing and evaluating educational programs for small scale agriculture. Experience working in community-based non-formal education settings. Experience working with or managing volunteers, especially in an agricultural or educational setting.
Required License or Certification
Is this position eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies.	On-site (Employees are primarily in the office and/or have a critical job requirement that requires dedicated office space on-site)

Position Information

Working Title	Assistant/Associate Professor- Extension Controlled Environment Agriculture Specialist
Position Number	007711
Recruitment Salary Range	Commensurate with education and experience
FLSA	Exempt
Appointment Type	Permanent - Full-time
Tenure Track	No
FTE
If Time Limited, Appointment Length
Organizational Division	Cooperative Extension
Organizational Location	College of Ag & Environ Sciences
Organizational Unit	Cooperative Extension

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number	EPA2656
Open Date	04/23/2025
Close Date - for postings that do not use Open Until Filled
Open Until Filled	Yes
Open Until Filled Minimum Application Period Postings: Positions remaining posted after this date are continuing to accept applications, but may close at any time. Applications received by this date will receive full consideration, applications received after this date may receive consideration depending upon the status of the search
Date Position Available	06/02/2025
Special Instructions to Applicant	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; Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave for Eligible Employees Community Service Leave Aetna - State Health Benefits of North Carolina NCFlex - Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more 12 Paid Holidays Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS) Optional Supplemental Plans - 401k, 403b, 457b and 457 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Campus Recreation Center Discount University Bookstore Discount 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.
Quick Link	https://jobs.ncat.edu/postings/37183