Food Security Program Manager

What You'll Be Doing

Join Us as Food Security Manager!

Are you interested in making a lasting local economic impact that is fundamental to improving public health and the well-being of the entire Wake County community? Wake County is seeking a Food Security Manager that will serve as Director for the Community Food Systems division of Wake County's Cooperative Extension Center.

This position is a critical leadership position for a high priority strategic initiative for the County. Cooperative Extension is uniquely positioned to address food security through a food systems approach bringing together urban agriculture production systems with a variety of partners committed to improving food access, expanding markets for local products, enhancing efficiency of distribution systems & prevention of food loss & waste.

Essential Functions:

• Convenes and facilitates shared decision-making and alignment of resources through collective impact infrastructure to achieve food security outcomes.

• Develops and manages grants and contracts aligned with priority strategies and outcomes.

• Develops, promotes and manages strategic activities and services unique to priority populations, geographic areas and/or other strategic initiatives.

• Establishes and supports regional infrastructure for coordination and reporting of strategic activities.

• Establishes shared measurement system for determining results of collective efforts related to food security across multiple sectors, county-wide.

• Recommends strategic framework, aligned measures and actions to senior County officials. Prepares and provides reports and presentations regularly to the County Manager, County Commissioners and University leaders.

• Develops and maintains positive relationships with high level strategic partners in University system, within Wake County leadership structure and within the community.

About Our Team

NC Cooperative Extension's Wake County Center is the flagship of urban Extension programming in the State and a leader across the Country. This dynamic team is committed to leveraging research and information from both NC land grant universities to address priority issues for Wake County's growing rural and urban communities. The entire Extension team, spanning agriculture & natural resources, community food systems and 4-H youth development programs work together, alongside community leaders with lived experience and research-based expertise to generate innovative & sustainable solutions to our community's most challenging issues.

The Basics (Required Education and Experience)

• Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Health or related field
• Five years of job-related experience
• Equivalent education and experience are accepted
• Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Beyond the Basics (Preferred Education and Experience)

• Master's Degree in Public Administration, Human Services, Education, Agriculture, or related field.
• 3 Years leadership and facilitation of community collaboration in a diverse/crosssector setting.
• 2 Years experience working with elected officials, policy-makers, senior management, and community leaders in a highly visible role.
• 3 Years experience developing a shared measurement system for accountability.

How Will We Know You're 'The One'?

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise significant judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting policies and procedures.
• Considerable specialized knowledge of the program area.
• Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Advanced critical thinking and project management skills with ability to multi-task and prioritize.
• Ability to maintain positive work relationships across the organization.
• Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Supervision skills with ability to provide guidance and professional support to staff, offer regular feedback, hold staff accountable, and serve as a mentor.
• Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures.

About This Position

Location: Agricultural Services Raleigh, NC 27610

Employment Type: Regular

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:30am - 5:15pm

Hiring Range: 67728.00 - 91436.00

Market Range: 67,728.00 - 115,142.00

Please include ALL prior work experience on your application and resume.

Posting Closing Date: 7:00 pm on 6/15/2026

What Makes Wake Great

Equal Opportunity Statement

Background Check Statement

Emergency Service Worker Statement

What Makes Wake Great

Consistently ranked high among the best places to live and work in America, Wake County is home to NC State University, Research Triangle Park, and 2006 Stanley Cup Champions, the Carolina Hurricanes. In addition to being Wake County's seat of government, Raleigh is also the center of state government, with the Capitol Building, legislature and many state government offices located in Raleigh. With an estimated population of just over 1.2 million residents, Wake County is North Carolina's most populous county. Entertainment, recreation, and art and culture abound with the North Carolina Museum of Art, JC Raulston Arboretum, and the Neuse River Trail all in the heart of Wake County. Wake County uses the Council/Manager form of government. Currently, the seven members of the Board of Commissioners are elected by district on a partisan basis and serve four-year terms. In Fall 2026, two at-large seats will be added for nine total commissioners. The County is regarded as a fiscally responsible and well-managed government, enjoying a AAA bond rating. The County's FY2026 General Fund budget is approximately $2.1 billion, and the County has over 5,100 full time employees. Wake County Government came in at #2 on the Healthiest Employers list for 2024. This year, US News & World Report ranked Raleigh #5 on its list of Best Places to Live, and the Milken Institute ranked Raleigh #1 on its 2025 list of Best-Performing Cities.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Wake County provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

Background Check Statement

Position may require a background check that may include: criminal, credit, motor vehicle, education, and sexual offender registry or others based on job requirements. Unless required by state law, a record of conviction will not automatically exclude you from consideration for employment. Wake County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Emergency Service Worker Statement

In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations should be expected. Employee may be required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during and after the emergency. Employee may also be required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.