** This is a readvertisement. Previous applicants DO NOT need to reapply to be considered. **

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (NCDA&CS) Agronomic Services Division is currently offering a great career opportunity for an agronomist who is experienced in NC agriculture to join our Field Services team. The focus of your role is to promote and utilize our agronomic testing and consulting services to ensure agronomically sound nutrient use and nematode management for growers in the Northern Coastal Plain region of the state. This position allows you to help growers make management decisions and trouble-shoot problems on commercial farms producing traditional row crops, forages, tobacco, horticultural crops, and other specialty crops under conventional and organic management. To support your professional growth and service, a team of experienced field agronomists as well as experienced scientists who lead our nematode assay, plant-waste-solution-media, and soil testing laboratories are readily available.   

In this role you will:

    • promote the division’s soil, plant, solution, animal & industrial waste, compost, soilless media, and nematode laboratories. 

    • educate individuals and groups on how to collect a variety of samples and understand their corresponding laboratory reports. 

    • provide on-farm consultations related to soil fertility, plant nutrition, nutrient/waste management, and nematode control.

    • troubleshoot and diagnose agronomic problems. 

    • make economically and environmentally sound research-based recommendations to prevent or correct agronomic issues 

      related to soil fertility, plant nutrition and nematode control. 

    • advise clients on the suitability of animal and industrial waste products for land application and recommend agronomically 

      and environmentally sound application rates. 

    • evaluate the performance of the division’s recommendations and provide feedback to ensure the division remains responsive 

      to current problems and growers’ concerns. 

    • contribute to the division’s interpretations and recommendations by assisting with replicated research projects, observational 

       studies, and/or demonstrations. 

    • give feedback to management on the conditions, recommendations, and needs of the agricultural community in your region. 

For this position you must reside in the assigned territory (Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank, Perquimans) or live in North Carolina within 25 miles of the border of this territory.

About us:

The NCDA&CS Agronomic Services Division provides statewide diagnostic and advisory services that increase agricultural productivity, promote responsible land management, and safeguard environmental quality.  The Division is comprised of three laboratory sections and a field services section with a combined total of 60 employees. The Agronomic Division maintains a very active, employee-led safety program and is recognized as a Public-Sector Star site by the NC Department of Labor.

At the time of the interview, applicants will be asked to respond to written questions to judge their knowledge of soil fertility and plant nutrition.

Click Here to Learn more about State Employee Benefits. 

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provide services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians.  The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees. 

Click Here to Watch this video to Learn How to Apply.

The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position.  We will not review resumes in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application.  

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

• Considerable knowledge of agronomy, soil chemistry, fertilizers, plant nutrition, plant pathology and/or crop and soil management.
• Ability to be self-directed and work under limited direct supervision. 
• Ability to assist agricultural producers with agronomic decision making.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with growers, industry personnel and agricultural organizations. 
• Ability to troubleshoot plant growth related problems and offer recommendations using information included in soil, nematode, plant, waste, solution and/or soilless media laboratory reports, visual observations, nutrient management history and environmental conditions. 
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing to diverse clientele.
• Ability to organize and present scientific information in a clear, concise, and professional manner. 

At the time of the interview, applicants will be asked to respond to written questions to judge their knowledge of soil fertility and plant nutrition.

You may qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience, either through years of education or years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.

Bachelor's degree in agronomy, soil science, agricultural science, horticultural science, plant nutrition, crop science, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and three years' experience in the advisory, experimental or educational aspects of plant nutrition or soil management; or an equivalent combination of education and experience

For consideration, applicants may be asked to provide transcripts for all education beyond a high school diploma at the time of the interview.

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate's related education and experience.   

Please follow instructions to apply on-line.  It is important that your application includes all of your relevant education and experience. Text or attached resumes ARE NOT accepted as a substitution for a completed application.  Applicants seeking veteran's/National Guard preference should submit a copy of their Form DD-214, NGB 23A (RPAS), DD256 or NGB 22.  

All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety sensitive positions and positions requiring a Pilot's License or a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing.  All positions requiring a Commercial Driver's License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals. Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment.  If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire, then the CDL will become a requirement for the position.    

*Note:  When required, you must answer the question(s) for this position, or your application will be considered incomplete.*   

Questions regarding this posting?  Contact 919-707-3201.