Tobacco Extension Agronomist

Posting Information

Posting Number: PG194764EP

Internal Recruitment: No

Working Title: Tobacco Extension Agronomist

Anticipated Hiring Range: Commensurate with Experience ($92,500 - $110,000)

Work Schedule: Core Business

Hours:

Monday
- Friday; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; flexible and variable based on business needs.

Job Location: Raleigh, NC

Department: Crop and Soil Sciences

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences integrates research, extension, and teaching across diverse disciplines to advance agricultural and environmental systems. Its mission is to develop future leaders in crop, soil, and environmental sciences; enhance crop plants and products; and design innovative, sustainable crop production and soil management systems for agricultural and urban landscapes. The department is committed to generating and delivering science-based knowledge that serves producers and end users of food, feed, turf, biofuels, and fiber in North Carolina, across the nation, and globally.

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.

The Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at NC State University invites applications for an Assistant Professor and Crop Production Management Specialist. Supported through the Collins Endowment Distinguished Fellowship, this position will provide statewide leadership in applied tobacco agronomy through an integrated program of Extension, research, and teaching focused on improving the sustainability, productivity, and profitability of North Carolina's flue-cured and burley tobacco industries.

In this role, you will work alongside growers, industry partners, county Extension agents, researchers, and agricultural professionals to address real-world crop production challenges and translate research into practical solutions. You will help shape tobacco production recommendations, support producers through emerging challenges, and strengthen the connection between university research and on-farm practices. This position provides an opportunity to build upon NC State's longstanding leadership in tobacco agronomy while advancing innovation in crop management, sustainability, and production efficiency.

Key Responsibilities fall within three key areas outlined below:

• Provide statewide Extension leadership and technical support to tobacco growers, county Extension agents, crop consultants, NCDA&CS regional agronomists, agribusiness partners, and other industry stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver educational programs through grower meetings, field days, county agent trainings, farm visits, and stakeholder workshops.
• Translate research findings into practical recommendations that address production challenges and support informed decision-making.
• Maintain and update the NC Flue-Cured Tobacco Production Guide to ensure producers and agricultural professionals have access to current production recommendations and best management practices.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with state, regional, and national tobacco organizations to advance the tobacco production industry.

• Develop an applied research program focused on improving flue-cured and burley tobacco production systems.
• Evaluate new products, technologies, and production practices, including precision agriculture approaches, to improve crop productivity, sustainability, and profitability.
• Investigate management strategies related to climate variability, pest management, herbicide-resistant weeds, and other emerging production challenges.
• Conduct on-farm research and demonstrations to evaluate practical solutions under producer conditions.
• Collaborate with the Director of the Official Variety Testing Program to evaluate tobacco cultivars across multiple environments.
• Partner with NC State faculty and external collaborators on research related to pesticide residue expectations and the evaluation of new agricultural chemicals for tobacco production.

• Co-teach the undergraduate course CS 116/216 - Agronomic Crops
  - Cotton, Peanuts, and Tobacco during the fall semester.
• Provide approximately five weeks of instruction during the fall and spring semesters and two weeks every other summer.

In this…