Extension Associate – Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship Coordinator

NC State University; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 68,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

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

Childcare benefits

Wellness & Recreation Membership

Wellness Programs

Job summary

NC State University’s Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) seeks an Extension Associate – Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship Coordinator to lead the statewide Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship program, the first registered statewide apprenticeship for diversified vegetable farms in NC. This 12‑month role combines hands-on training with business planning and cross‑team collaboration.

Responsibilities include program logistics, apprentice recruitment, curriculum support, and data

Qualifications

• Excellent organizing, people, decision-making, project management and time management skills.
• Master’s degree in a relevant field and related experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee program logistics, hiring, social media, and communications.
• Organize apprentice gatherings/training and register the apprenticeship.
• Work with NC State HR to process payments and registration.
• Coordinate the Project Advisory Team (PAT).
• Mentor apprentices and recruit host farms for two registered programs.
• Support curriculum development and program planning.
• Assist with data collection, evaluation, and reporting.

Skills

Organizing

People skills

Decision making

Project management

Time management

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant field

Job description

Posting Number: PG194979EP

Internal Recruitment : No

Working Title: Extension Associate – Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship Coordinator

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience ($68,000 - $72,000)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week (additional hours as required)

Job Location: Raleigh or Asheville, NC

Department : Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)

About the Department: 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.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits: 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 Propositionand learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

• 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.

Essential Job Duties:

The Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) is seeking a Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship Coordinator position. This position will be an integral part of the Agricultural Education Team at the Center for Environmental Farming Systems and lead programming for the Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship, the first registered statewide agricultural apprenticeship program on diversified vegetable farms in NC. This project brings together a large team of statewide agricultural education experts. Apprenticeships are a tried-and-true model of learning that have trained workers for careers in skilled trades for centuries. This registered apprenticeship program would provide both long-term hands‑on training at a production farm and business planning training. The 12‑month apprenticeship will become a model for other organizations to implement to increase agricultural opportunities for veterans in North Carolina.

Program Administration & Operations – 35%

• Oversee program logistics, hiring, social media, and communications.


• Organize apprentice gatherings/training and register the apprenticeship with ApprenticeshipNC.


• Work with NC State HR and Business teams to process payments and registration.


• Coordinate the Project Advisory Team (PAT).

Apprentice Support, Recruitment & Engagement – 30%

• Mentor apprentices, be the main point of contact from the beginning of the program, answer questions, orient during first week in training, and meet with apprentices regularly during the program to monitor their progress.


• Recruiting host farms and apprentice.


• Recruit host farms who are certified organic or transitioning to organic to participate in two registered apprenticeship programs.

Curriculum Development & Program Planning – 20%

• Support curriculum development and relationship with ApprenticeshipNC.


• Assist in developing and registering apprenticeship curriculum suitable for certified organic production.


• Assisting with cross program evaluation, long term strategic planning and grant writing for future funding of the program.

Research, Evaluation & Data Coordination – 15%

• Support evaluation efforts.


• Assist in creating research instruments for the Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP).


• Coordinate research efforts including recruiting, interviewing, and analyzing data collected about farm mentorship on organic and transitioning operations funded by TOPP.

Other Responsibilities:

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as agronomy, rural sociology, or agricultural education and year(s) of relevant experience in working with apprentices, farming or experiential agricultural education.

Other Required Qualifications:

• Excellent organizing, people, decision-making, project management, and time management skills are required, as is the ability to work well in remote and in-person settings.


• Must be capable of doing all the described activities independently as well as work with a team under direction of the Project Director and other members of the PAT.


• Must be comfortable to make decisions autonomously and work with little direction.


• Significant experience working with program evaluations and data management.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as agronomy, rural sociology, or agricultural education and at least 10 years of relevant experience in working with apprentices, farming or experiential agricultural education.


• Familiar with CEFS, Farm Apprenticeship programs, applying equity principles to programming and working with various populations.


• Five or more years experience in management.


• Three or more years experience in vegetable production.


• Five or more years of experience working in a position related to agricultural education.


• Ten or more years experience involved in community and/or agricultural programming.


• Experience with resilience and equity frameworks.


• Experience working with NC State systems


• Knowledge and/or experience of CEFS programs.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

• Valid NC driver’s license or the ability to obtain within 60 days of start.

Valid NC Driver's License required:

Yes

Commercial Driver's License required:

No

Job Open Date:

10/19/2026

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicant required documents: Cover Letter, CV/Resume, Contact Information for Professional References

Position Number:

00110033

Position Type:

EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week):

1.00

Appointment:

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather:

Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events:

Mandatory - Medical Emergencies

Department ID:

111502 - Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS)

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. 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.