Horticulture Technician

N.C. A&T; Goldsboro (NC); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid holidays

State retirement system

Job summary

North Carolina A&T State University is seeking a Research Technician - Horticulture to support a long-term specialty fruit and vegetable program in Goldsboro, NC. You will help with production, variety trials, data collection and community engagement under CEFS leadership and supervise field activities.

The role requires hands-on horticulture experience, data entry expertise, and the ability to operate farm equipment. Work hours are 8am-5pm with occasional weekend duties.

Qualifications

• MS in Horticulture, Agribusiness, Agroecology, or equivalency preferred.
• Two+ years of hands-on horticulture experience with fruit/vegetable production preferred.
• Experience with high tunnels, greenhouse, and organic production systems; data collection and input experience.

Responsibilities

• Perform crop establishment and maintenance tasks.
• Harvest and post-harvest handling in accordance with research protocols.
• Manage greenhouse and high tunnel operations and recordkeeping.
• Collect data on production costs, crop yields, and other benchmarks.

Skills

Data collection

Crop management

Excel

Field research

Equipment operation

Recordkeeping

Education

MS in Horticulture or related field

Tools

EXCEL

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Classification Information

Position/Classification Title

Position/Classification Title Research Technician

Classification Type

Classification Type SHRA

Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies:

Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies: N - Not Mandatory

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

MS in Horticulture, Agribusiness, Agroecology, or equivalency is preferred; Working experiences at commercial farms preferred and at least two years of related fruit and vegetable production experience; or equivalent combination of training and experience. At least two years of experience in working (hands-on) in horticulture with a focus on fruit and vegetable production and at least one years (hands-on) experience with high tunnel, greenhouse and organic production systems. Knowledge of farm financial analysis and food safety. Experience in collecting and inputting data (i.e. production costs, crop yields). Experience in preparing for field days, tours and other on-farm educational events. Knowledge of soil sampling, variety trials, cover crop productions/benefits, and report preparation and dissemination. Ability to use and maintain basic horticulture farm equipment (hand tools, zero-turn mower, tiller, weed eater, etc.) as well as basic computer software for recordkeeping and financial analysis ( EXCEL ). Ability to lift at least 50 lbs and work in inclement weather.

Required License or Certification

Position Overview

The Research Technician - Horticulture provides technical, hands-on support for top-ranked integrated field research and educational programs involving the North Carolina A&T State University Agricultural Research program, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems Small Farm Unit, in Goldsboro, NC. This position is responsible to support and assist in a unique long-term specialty fruit and vegetable research program in the nation involving production, variety trials, data collections, data analysis, report preparation, and community engagement under the leadership of CEFS Director at NC A&T and the Small Farm Unit manager. Duties include crop establishment and maintenance; harvesting/post-harvest handling of crops associated with researchers and research support in CAES ; greenhouse and high tunnel management; recordkeeping, financial benchmark analysis, data collection and entry; and communication with researchers, staff, students, producer groups and community-based organizations, co-workers, and other organization staff.

Primary Purpose of Position

The Research Technician - Horticulture provides technical, hands-on support for top-ranked integrated field research and educational programs involving the North Carolina A&T State University Agricultural Research program, and the Center for Environmental Farming Systems Small Farm Unit, in Goldsboro, NC. This position is responsible to support and assist in a unique long-term specialty fruit and vegetable research program in the nation involving production, variety trials, data collections, data analysis, report preparation, and community engagement under the leadership of CEFS Director at NC A&T and the Small Farm Unit manager. Duties include crop establishment and maintenance; harvesting/post-harvest handling of crops associated with researchers and research support in CAES ; greenhouse and high tunnel management; recordkeeping, financial benchmark analysis, data collection and entry; and communication with researchers, staff, students, producer groups and community-based organizations, co-workers, and other organization staff.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

The College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences ( CAES ) at NC A&T is the largest college of Agriculture among HBCUs and top producer of African Americans with degrees in Agriculture and second national supplier of minority admits in Veterinary Medicine. CAES has a rich history of innovation and application of cutting-edge technology across its four academic departments: Department of Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education; Department of Animal Sciences; Department of Family and Consumer Sciences; and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Design. Within these departments, students are offered many opportunities for classroom learning, research, and field work. In addition, the college’s research and experiential learning are strengthened by non-academic units, including the University farm and the Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies at the North Carolina Research campus. Through its Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension Programs, CAES conducts research on issues of national importance and provides research-based extension training and services to citizens, communities, and industry partners across the state of North Carolina.

The Center for Environmental Farming System ( CEFS ) is a three-way partnership including North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T), NC State University, and NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. CEFS has 30-year history in supporting and promoting sustainable farming, farm viability, and innovative technology to achieve long-term equity and resilience. The Small Farm Unit ( SFU ) of CEFS is a place of 30 acres used for research, teaching, extension, and outreach projects that focus on organic and sustainable production practices to a wide variety of audiences. The Research Technician will be housed in Goldsboro, North Carolina.

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 15,275 students in Fall 2026, 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.

Work Hours

Work Hours 8am-5pm M-F; weekend work may be required from time to time.

Is this position eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies.

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)

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies

Required Competency

Required Competency Data Collection

Duties

• Performs data collection and hands-on clinical procedures per study protocols.
• Compiles and maintains data, organizes and prepares data for computer input.
• Operates and maintains farm equipment and tools.
• Prepares and stores or sends laboratory samples per study protocol.
• Meets with PI, study monitors and sponsors regularly.
• Generates data and presents information in narrative and graphical format at regular project meetings.
• Responsible for record-keeping and farm benchmarking analysis, including data collection and entry as well as evaluations using software programs (e.g., EXCEL , FINPACK ).

Required Competency

Required Competency Knowledge - Technical

Duties

• Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of the area of specialization, the program, process, and organizational operation.
• Provides technical, hands-on support for research and educational programs in horticulture and financial benchmarking.
• Establishes and maintains crops, including activities of seeding, planting, weeding, fertilizing, pest control, harvesting, and other horticultural and agricultural tasks.
• Harvests crops and handles post-harvesting duties, including plot clean-up
• Assist with preparation of reports, peer-reviewed articles, and educational materials.
• Manages greenhouse and high tunnels.

Required Competency

Duties

• Interacts positively with researchers, staff, producer groups, community-based organizations as well as co-workers and other organization staff.
• Analyzes the resulting data and reports them to principle investigator. This includes problem solving, if required, and revising experimental procedures accordingly.
• Manages time allocation, analyzes data, reports results to principle investigator and collaborating investigator.

Position Information

Working Title

Competency Level Journey

Position Number

Position Number 000196

Recruitment Range

Recruitment Range $40,584-$51,500

FLSA

FLSA Non-Exempt

Appointment Type

Appointment Type Permanent - Full-time

FTE

Organizational Division

Organizational Division College of Ag and Environ Sciences

Organizational Location

Organizational Location College of Ag & Environ Sciences

Organizational Unit

Organizational Unit College of Ag and Environ Sciences

Posting Number

Posting Number SHRA3291

Open Date

Open Date 11/02/2026

Close Date

Close Date 11/30/2026

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.

Contact Division of Human Resources

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