Extension at NC State University partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich North Carolinians' lives, land, and economy. NC State University is hiring a full-time postdoc position (1.0 FTE) (Early Care & Education (ECE) Extension Scholar)to help assess and implement obesity prevention programming in Head Start preschool centers, including implementing Go NAPSACC, More PEAS Please!, and Farm to ECE activities. This position will be in Raleigh, NC but will interface with county and district Cooperative Extension staff, volunteers, and community-based agency/organization professionals in the NC early care and education space. The Early Care & Education Extension Postdoc Scholar will assess the community's needs; work side-by-side with county-level Extension staff to coordinate the implementation of new and existing policies, programs, and community coalitions in alignment with the project's stated goals; and support the state-level evaluation team. To better understand each county's needs and to coordinate these efforts, the Scholar will first conduct assessments focused on need and equity. Based on each county's level of readiness, the Scholar will then work with community partners to improve nutrition and physical activity-related policies and increase access to Farm to ECE-related programming with an emphasis on coordinating and connecting community members with resources. Essential job duties for the Community Fellow include, but are not limited to: * Leading a needs assessment focused on documenting existing obesity prevention policies and use of Go NAPSACC in funded NC-based Head Start programs * Assisting with the implementing community-driven policies, activities, and programs in alignment with the project's goals focused on early childcare settings * Support all funding activities, including but not limited to, identifying future sources of funding to support programs and activities and grant proposal writing to maintain program funding * Maintain timely communication on early care and education activities with the PI team, Evaluator, Project Coordinators, and other partners, including but not limited to scheduling regular meetings, creating meeting agendas, maintaining notes, and communicating key next steps with the team * Provide County Extension Agents with ongoing technical (online and in-person) support related to supported programming * Provide community partners (e.g., teachers, administrators) with ongoing coaching or technical (online and in-person) to support related to programming * Engage with CDC's Strategic Engagement Community and set up technical assistance with CDC-supported providers needed by internal and external team members * Support the PI team and project staff in managing the project's ECE needs assessment activities * Obtain appropriate CITI training needed for Institutional Review Board approval through NC State University (All Campus HSR) * Obtain consent from all teachers/families/children participating in research activities in person during site visits, over the phone, or virtually * Oversee site visits when data is collected from children to ensure compliance with human evaluation protocols, protocols for working with minors, and preschool center-specific protocols * Manage collection, integrity, and quality of all data collected from both minors and adults using data software * Obtain all Institutional Review Board approvals through NC State University and submit/monitor any necessary amendments * Become a NAPSACC Technical Consultant and attend regular meetings; conduct NAPSACC assessments with key partners as needed; collaborate with SNAP-Ed Go NAPSACC liaison to support implementation efforts * Conducting assessments focused on needs and equity with stakeholders in the community at the beginning of the grant; stakeholders include health educators, preschools/schools, health organizations, coalition members, park departments, and government employees; * Support the development of a written Plan of Action for Head Start partners engaging in program activities for each school year based on needs assessment * Analyzing the assessment and helping to implement various healthy living policies and activities/programs in early childhood settings * Coordinating and connecting organizations and coalitions when appropriate * Participating in county-level Cooperative Extension and community partner meetings * Conducting follow-up assessments with community stakeholders after the grant * Support public messaging strategies and the publication process of program outcomes through social media, news articles, technical reports, peer-reviewed journals, and other outlets as determined by the PI team, county-level staff, and the community community * Maintain communication with the leadership team, teachers/administrators, and stakeholders * Assist in the writing and revising of abstracts for a professional presentation at the regional, national, and international levels in accordance with proposed grant activities * Lead publication process of designated data sets through the analysis, management, drafting, revision, and submission of manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals * Conduct and participate in meetings, conferences, and other activities to network on behalf of the program nation-wide * Assist in monthly and annual reports to funders based on program activities * Provide information about the program and program outcomes to the public through presentations and dissemination materials * Coordinate and maintain social media through, at minimum, bi-weekly posts on FEEd Lab and project pages * Maintain webpage content for the project website, ensuring every quarter that information is up to date * Create using Canva graphic design platform marketing and media materials as needed * Support public messaging strategies and the publication process of program outcomes through social media, news articles, interviews, and other outlets as determined by the PI team Other Work/Responsibilities Requirements and Preferences Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm Department Required Skills * Doctoral degree in early childhood, elementary education, or public health-related field. * Prior experience working with Farm to ECE and/or in early education environments * At least three years of experience in early education or an equivalent combination of education and experience * Effective oral and written communication skills for student, lay, and professional audiences. * Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills, team building, problem-solving ability, networking skills, and ability to work with diverse groups. * Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Canva Pro and/or Adobe Suite, and Google applications * Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint); Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education * Familiarity with CDC's Spectrum of Opportunities obesity prevention strategies * Experience in nutrition education curriculum design and implementation * NAPSACC Technical Support Certification * Intermediate Spanish reading and speaking skills Required License or Certification * A valid driver's license is required for travel. NC driver's license is required within 60 days of hire and must be maintained. Valid NC Driver's License required? Yes Commercial Driver's License Required? No Recruitment