Temporary CEFS Farm to Fork Picnic Coordinator and Events Assistant

Posting Number PG194486TM

Position Number 11ASO3313

Position Type Temporary

Essential Job Duties 

This position offers work with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS), a dynamic and nationally recognized Center that has research, academic, extension, and outreach components.

This position will spend around 20 hours a week coordinating the event planning of the CEFS Farm to Fork Picnic scheduled for June 2025. Held for more than fifteen years, the Farm to Fork Picnic has helped to drive the incredible growth of our local food movement. In leading the CEFS Farm to Fork Picnic, this position will work with the top chefs and farmers supporting our local food movement.

This position can be expanded to full time work with another 20 hours as the CEFS Event Assistant, part of the CEFS Business and Events Team (CBET). The Event Assistant will participate in the logistics of other major CEFS events and business as needed. Facilitating more than 100 events annually across the state of North Carolina, CBET received a NC State Sustainability Award for their implementation of zero waste event planning practices.

Major job responsibilities of Farm to Fork Picnic Coordinator include:

• Event planning lead for Farm to Fork Picnic 2025. Utilization and organization of event google folders for timeline creation, coordination and follow up to keep planning on track. Primary contact for the public, event participants, chefs, farmers, vendors and volunteers. Budget and ticket sales coordination and updates. Processing and paying vendors through NCSU system. Solicits, follows up and coordinates bookkeeping of sponsorships and silent auction items. Solicits and communicates with chef and farmer pairings.
• Onsite coordination of Farm to Fork Picnic in June 2025 as the lead event planner.
• Sponsorship lead for the Farm to Fork Picnic 2025. Including reaching out to sponsorship prospects through email, phone and in person visits. Researching and suggesting additional sponsorship prospects. Coordinating recognition of sponsors.
• Scheduling and meeting with CEFS Events Manager, F2F Picnic committee, CEFS Communication, event vendors and NC State university to coordinate event progress. 
• Special event projects for CEFS and other duties as assigned.

Major job responsibilities of Events Assistant include:

• Event planning and administrative duties on assigned events. Planning, day of coordination, and event wrap up for assigned events. Assisting Event Associate on large events requiring multiple team members to assist. Creating and frequent updating of Google event planning documents and Google sheets and calendars
• Processing financial paperwork for assigned events, including paying invoices through the NCSU invoice payment system. Tracking and updating event budgets. Processing state travel paperwork for individuals, large conferences, and events. Paying vendors through the vendor system and pcards
• Special event projects for CEFS and other duties as assigned.

This position will work under the supervision of the CEFS Business Manager with a team based approach to events. Assignments will often be delivered remotely from agents in the field via email and the candidate will need to prioritize based on upcoming deadlines. Superior organization and time management skills are necessary. Careful attention to detail, excellent follow-through, ability to think on your feet, and communicating effectively are vital skills to succeed in this position. Candidate must be able to pick up tasks quickly, and be ready to jump into a busy team. Only candidates with an exceptional work ethic will be considered. Visit www.cefs.ncsu.edu for more information on CEFS.

Work Schedule:

Up to 20 or up to 40 hours per week in a very busy office setting in the Plant Sciences Building on Centennial campus at NC State University. A few early mornings, nights and weekends for events will be required, but will be scheduled months ahead of time. Somewhat flexible schedule outside of events and scheduled meetings. The position will start in person at the Plant Sciences Building, but once a candidate is fully trained, there is a possibility for this position to become hybrid.

Is Time Limited No

If Yes, Appointment Length 

Job City & State Raleigh, NC

Department CEFS

Classification Title Temporary-Technical/Paraprofessional

Working Title Temporary CEFS Farm to Fork Picnic Coordinator and Events Assistant

Work Schedule 20-40 hours per week

Other Work/Responsibilities 

• n/a

Minimum Experience/Education 

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 4 years of related experience in event planning OR restaurant management
• Department Required Skills
• Excellent communication, organizational, follow-up, time management and computer and database management skills
• Reliable
• Ability to work in a team setting as well as independently
• Strong work ethic
• Event planning experience
• Interest in local food systems
• Genuine interest in the work and mission of CEFS
• Proficient with Google Suite and Zoom
• Able to lift 50 pounds and stand or sit for long periods of time
• Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education
• BA/BS in Business Administration, Communication, Marketing, Sustainability, Environmental Science, Hospitality, Agroecology, Agriculture or related field
• Ability to work under stressful situations
• Experience in a busy office setting
• Experience working with local food systems in NC
• Experience working with chefs and farmers
• Experience working in a University setting
• Required License or CertificationValid driver’s license

Valid NC Driver’s License required? Yes

Commercial Driver’s License Required? No

Anticipated Hiring Range $18-$23/hr

Job Open Date 07/08/2024

Quick Link https://jobs.ncsu.edu/postings/204486

AA/EEO 

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or [email protected].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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