Extension Associate – Sustainable Vegetable Apprenticeship Coordinator

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.

The primary responsibilities of the incumbent include, but is not limited to:

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.