Extension Specialist

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at NC State University is seeking applicants for a full-time, Extension specialist position in integrated pest management of mountain conifers with emphasis on insects and diseases associated with the intensive culture of Fraser fir Christmas trees. The successful applicant will be a part of the department’s 10-person Extension Forestry team of 4 faculty and 6 staff, which includes a Christmas tree production and marketing specialist and a Christmas tree geneticist. They will work with research scientists, Extension specialists, county agents, program directors, and county technicians. This position is based in Western North Carolina, with Ashe, Alleghany, Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, and Jackson counties as the primary area of responsibility, but the successful applicant will have to travel periodically throughout North Carolina. Office space will be provided in either Extension or NC Department of Agriculture facilities within the primary area of responsibility. The successful applicant will provide leadership in determining, implementing and evaluating educational programs consistent with the philosophy, policy, and overall educational objectives of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension. They will be responsible for developing and delivering educational programming to county Extension personnel, Christmas tree producers and workers, and other stakeholders in mountain conifers.Primary duties of the Extension Specialist include, but are not limited to the following:Developing an innovative extension program in integrated pest management of mountain conifers with emphasis on Christmas trees that is consistent with the philosophy, policy, and overall educational objectives of North Carolina Cooperative Extension and NC State UniversityPerforming, designing, and supporting applied research relevant to Extension needs related to Fraser fir Christmas trees and other mountain conifersSeeking external funding that expands the impact of their extension programPublishing written extension articles/videos, and maintain the Extension Forestry Christmas Tree website (https://christmastrees.ces.ncsu.edu)Providing professional development opportunities for county Extension personnel working within the Christmas tree industryProviding current research-based information about mountain conifers through traditional media (e.g., interviews with reporters and television) and social media to diverse audiencesProviding timely field observations on current pest issues to the Christmas tree industry by employing various teaching methods, traditional formats, and social media communication toolsCultivating and developing inclusive and equitable working relationships with county Extension personnel, Christmas tree producers, farm workers, faculty, staff, students and others including from relevant state and federal agencies to meet subject matter needsWorking closely with county Extension personnel, producers, farm workers, grower commodity organizations, agri-business, community leaders, other state and federal agencies and others to identify and prioritize issues, problems and opportunitiesDetermine educational needs and impacts by assessing and evaluating educational programs and services on a regular basisPerforming extensive work with microscope and other appropriate lab equipmentConducting pesticide trials and other field-based demonstrations of IPM practices and providing IPM pest management recommendationsCollaborating with other faculty as appropriate to conduct applied research and to mentor students around IPM, Christmas trees and other mountain conifersActively taking part in service to the department, college, Cooperative Extension, university, and profession.