COSS Support Specialist

NC State Extension Forestry; Onslow (IA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Accident Plan

Paid Time Off

Holidays & Leave

Job summary

NC State Extension Forestry in Onslow County is seeking a COSS Support Specialist to provide administrative, programmatic, and communications support to Extension staff. You will assist with public inquiries, maintain records, coordinate events, and create promotional materials to support Extension programs.

The role is a full-time position (1.0 FTE), 40 hours per week, funded by state and county funds, with opportunities to collaborate across NC State Extension teams.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school and two years office assistance and secretarial experience.

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary contact for visitors and callers; respond to inquiries about Extension programs and events.
• Enter, maintain, retrieve, and organize information using word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and filing systems.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports and ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinate meeting minutes, mass mailings, emails, and program-related correspondence.

Skills

ActiveCampaign

WordPress

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Publisher

Education

High school diploma

Tools

ActiveCampaign

WordPress

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Publisher

Job description

Position Overview

N.C. Cooperative Extension in Onslow County is seeking a COSS Support Specialist to provide administrative, programmatic, and communications support to Extension staff. This position supports the delivery and promotion of Extension programs by assisting with public inquiries, maintaining records, coordinating events, preparing reports and correspondence, and developing and distributing educational and promotional materials.

The COSS Support Specialist works collaboratively with Extension staff, colleagues within North Carolina Cooperative Extension (NCCE), and county leaders to support program operations and community engagement. Responsibilities are performed in accordance with NCCE’s philosophy, objectives, policies, and procedures.

This is a full-time position (1.0 FTE), working 40 hours per week, funded entirely through a combination of state and county funds.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

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 a 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 or school bell.

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 residents.

For more information about Onslow County go to https://www.onslowcountync.gov/

For information about Onslow County Cooperative Extension go to https://onslow.ces.ncsu.edu/

Wolfpack Perks And Benefits

Although our employees are based in county offices across North Carolina, they enjoy the same benefits of being part of the NC State University community.

As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What We Offer

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Other Duties And Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for visitors and callers by answering telephone calls, responding to email and in-person inquiries, providing information about Extension programs and upcoming events, and referring individuals to the appropriate program area or personnel.
• Utilize computer systems and software, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and file management programs, to enter, maintain, retrieve, and organize information.
• Prepare and complete monthly, quarterly, and annual reports; review records and reports for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Establish and maintain electronic and physical filing systems, ensuring records and information are organized and accessible as needed.
• Prepare correspondence, reports, manuscripts, meeting minutes, and other documents from handwritten or typed materials, ensuring accuracy in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and formatting.
• Coordinate the preparation and distribution of meeting minutes, mass mailings, email communications, and other program-related correspondence through regular mail, email, and ActiveCampaign.
• Coordinate the logistics of Extension programs, workshops, conferences, production meetings, field days, classes, achievement programs, advisory committee meetings, and other events, including arranging facilities, reserving rooms, and coordinating setup.
• Assist with event registration by welcoming participants, maintaining registration records, collecting fees, and processing payments accurately.
• Gather and compile information for monthly bulletins, holiday flyers, newsletters and other publications and communication materials.
• Support Extension Agents with special projects, recurring program activities, promotional events, and marketing initiatives.
• Develop and distribute program communications and promotional materials, including newsletters, website content, social media content, and public service announcements regarding upcoming classes and events.
• Coordinate with staff and volunteers to produce and distribute promotional materials in a timely manner.
• Maintain an organized collection of program marketing materials and ensure publications are available and accessible to the public.

Other Work/Responsibilities

• Serve as a liaison between Extension Agents, program participants, volunteers, community members, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Represent Extension programs in a professional and courteous manner when interacting with the public and community partners.
• Assist with additional administrative, communications, marketing, and program support duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Onslow County Extension office.

Supervisory

Number of Permanent Employees this Position Supervises 0 Percent of Time Spent 0%

Requirements and Preferences

Identify if the Position is Mandatory / Essential / Key Not Applicable Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5pm with evenings and weekends as needed.

Minimum Experience/Education

Graduation from high school and two years office assistance and secretarial experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Department Required Skills

• Knowledge of computer applications is required including Active Campaign, Word Press, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher.
• The ability to work on issues and maintain confidentiality
• Must be highly motivated and innovative.
• Must be a good team member and support and develop a positive work environment.
• Must possess accurate typing and computer skills.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Fluency in Spanish both written and oral is a bonus (not required).
• Self-directed and self-motivated with the ability to multi-task and set priorities.
• Possess strong work ethic with skills in communications, networking, and public relations.
• Strong computer and technical competencies, including experience and knowledge in mass media, marketing, and presentations.
• Ability to create graphics for marketing, publication, and presentation purposes.
• Excellent time and resource management skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, and work well with people.
• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintaining them over time.
• Communicating with people outside of the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources..
• Travel connected with official duties may be required. Required to have personal mobility/transportation and obtain/maintain valid driver’s license and appropriate liability insurance. Must have willingness to work necessary hours to fulfill job responsibilities (some evenings and weekends).
• The position requires lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally and up to 30 pounds frequently. The job also requires sustained periods of standing and sitting and occasional periods of kneeling, stooping and reaching. The job occasionally requires exposure to extreme heat and humidity and exposure to the sun.
• The person must be able to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make the discriminations in sound. The job requires appropriate visual acuity with or without correction and dexterity to perform the normal duties of the job.

Required License or Certification

NC DL

Valid NC Driver's License required? Yes Commercial Driver's License Required? No Physical Required? No List any other medical/drug tests required

Recruitment

Recruitment Details

Anticipated Hiring Range $32,562 commensurate with experience. Internal Transfer Only No

Recruitment Dates

Job Open Date 10/16/2026

Applicant Information

Quick Link https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/235826 EEO

NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks as well as county-required background 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.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• * How did you learn about the position? (Open Ended Question)
• * If you learned about this vacancy from "other source" or "other website", please provide the source. (Open Ended Question)

Application Materials Required