Appointment, Performance Review, and Promotion Policies for County Extension Personnel
REG 05.10.1
Authority: Issued by the Chancellor. Changes or exceptions to administrative regulations issued by the Chancellor may only be made by the Chancellor.
History: First Issued: January 1998
Additional References:
CALS Website
Appendix A. of the Cooperative Extension Service Administrative Handbook
Appendix K of the Cooperative Extension Service Administrative Handbook for "Recommendation for Title Promotion"
Contact Info: CALS Personnel Director (919)515-2708
1. County Extension staff members have primary responsibility for planning, executing,
and evaluating that phase of the total county Extension program within their
areas of assignment. They cooperate with their colleagues in the NC Cooperative
Extension Service, county leaders, Advisory Leadership System, volunteers and
cooperating agencies in performing their assigned responsibilities. The performance
of this assigned responsibility is governed by philosophy, objectives, policies,
and procedures of the NC Cooperative Extension Service.
2. Extension agents are representatives of the U.S. Department of Agriculture
and charged with carrying out educational work of the department. They are also
designated as employees of either NC State University or NC A&T State University
with professional rank and faculty status opportunities. Agents co-funded with
counties are appointed upon approval of the Board of County Commissioners and/or
County Managers, and University administrators.
2.1. Appointment Policy
2.2. Criteria for Appointment--The minimum requirement for employment with
the NC Cooperative Extension Service is a Bachelor's degree in an area related
to the agent's assigned program responsibilities. A Master's degree in an area
related to job responsibilities or acceptability as a graduate school candidate
is preferred.
2.3. Title Decisions--The District Extension Directors (DEDs) will adhere
to the following guidelines when making title decisions concerning new hires:
2.3.1. A person may be hired and given the title of Associate Agent if they have
5 years of equivalency experience and a Master's degree.
2.3.2. A person may be hired and given the title of Extension Agent if they have
8 years of equivalency experience and a Master's degree.
Exceptions to the guidelines may be made after the DED and Assistant Director
for County Operations have decided it is appropriate.
2.4. Performance Review Policy (PPC&E)
Employee performance appraisals will be conducted annually, or sooner if the
employee is being reassigned, or if the employee is not meeting job requirements.
Performance appraisals should occur each year by the end of the first quarter
(March 31).
The performance appraisals of the agent will be conducted by the County Extension
Director (CED) and reviewed with the District Extension Director (DED). Performance
appraisals of County Extension Directors will be conducted by District Extension
Directors and reviewed by the Assistant Director of County Operations. (See
Appendix A. of the Cooperative Extension Service Administrative Handbook)
2.5. Promotion Policy (see
Appendix K of the Cooperative Extension Service Administrative Handbook for "Recommendation for Title Promotion")
2.6. From Assistant Agent to Associate Agent--An Assistant Agent is eligible
for consideration for promotion to Associate Agent upon having satisfactorily
completed a Master's degree and 3 years* of service as an Assistant Agent with
the NC Cooperative Extension Service. The Assistant Agent must submit an application
for promotion.** The County and District Extension Directors will review and
make recommendations to Extension Administration. These titles include area
specialized agents.
2.7. From Associate Agent to Agent--A Master's degree and 3 years* of service
as an Associate Agent with the NC Cooperative Extension Service are required
for an Associate Agent to be eligible for promotion consideration to Agent.
The Associate Agent must submit an application for promotion.** The County and
District Extension Directors will review and make recommendations to Extension
Administration. These titles include area specialized agents.
* A Doctorate degree may be substituted for 1 year of equivalent experience.
** Applications are to be submitted to the District Extension Director no later
than March 1 of each year. Years of service will be credited up to July 1 of
the promotional year.
