CORNELL UNIVERSITY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

 

POSITION TITLE:                  Extension Associate

 

WORKING TITLE:               Farm Business Management Specialist

 

TITLE OF SUPERVISOR:      Program Team Leader

 

DEPARTMENT:                      Cornell Cooperative Extension Administration

 

LOCATION:                            South Central NY Region (Broome, Tompkins, Cortland, and Tioga Counties) Office will be located in Ithaca, New York

 

I.  Summary Statement of Purpose of the Position

Provide commercial producers with the knowledge and resources necessary to assess production, management and marketing practices through business analysis and economic decision-making that will enhance profitability and sustain the industry in New York State.  Primary emphasis will be in the field of dairy and field crops, but not preclude emerging opportunities in other disciplines of alternative agriculture production.  

 

II. Specific Job Functions and Responsibilities

A.     Program Development and Implementation                                                             60%

Provide leadership for planning and analysis, implementing and evaluating educational programs that address stakeholder-identified needs and opportunities in areas of farm business management, including business planning, record keeping, economic decision making, enterprise analysis, labor management and tax planning. Target audiences will include farm families, owners and managers, agri-service, and farm employees.  

Provide producers and industry with a framework to analyze production and management alternatives and to maximize profit opportunities based on emerging best-management practices, consumer market demands, etc.

Plan and implement educational programs utilizing a variety of methods including direct teaching through group experiences, mass media, newsletters, electronic technology, use of the internet and distance learning. 

One-on-one consultations with key producers and industry partners related to program development and problem solving.

B.     Applied Research                                                                                                   15%

Initiate and conduct in-depth applied research projects appropriate to the specific needs of commercial dairy and field crops production in the South Central New York region.

Support and participate in collaborative research projects with other team members, university and extension faculty and staff, significantly in developing and reporting measurable, outcome based project goals.

 

C.     Program Management                                                                                                   5%

Responsible for day-to-day program operations, fiscal and reporting accountability

Individually and collaboratively pursue new funding sources to enhance program opportunities

D.     Professional Improvement                                                                                       10%

Participate in professional development opportunities appropriate to program and personal skill enhancement

Participate in related professional organizations

E.      Program Evaluation                                                                                                    10%

Define and develop reporting mechanisms for producer-focused “measurable” outcomes.

Analyze and evaluate major program efforts with the input of all program partners and make recommendations for enhancing these efforts.

Communicate evaluation results, findings, and recommendations as appropriate.

Prepare quarterly reports and yearly impact statements on program progress and accomplishments.

Meet the evaluation and reporting requirements of all funding partners.

 

III. Supervision

A.  Program oversight, direction and guidance is provided by the Program Team Leader

B.   Administrative oversight is provided by the Regional Agriculture Program Coordinator as a representative of CALS and CCE administration.

C.  Academic oversight and guidance provided by designated Faculty and Extension Associates in the Department of Applied Economics and Management.

 

IV. Administrative and Program Relationships

Internal

Work as a member of the regional program team as well as with other regional, multi-county and statewide teams and work groups

Collaborate with faculty, administration and other extension specialists to maximize impact.

Program oversight and direction provided by program advisory groups representing CCE Program partners, producers and industry partners.

Build collaborative relationships and maintain timely and effective communication with partner County Extension Associations.

External

Build and maintain effective relationships with growers and producers.

Develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with appropriate agribusiness, industry partners, other educational institutions, governmental agencies and organizations

V. Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required to Perform the Work of this Position

  • Knowledge of the philosophy, objectives and operation of an informal education system such as Cornell Cooperative Extension.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with proven ability to work with diverse audiences in group and one-on-one settings; work effectively with advisory boards and committees, community and funding partners.
  • Proven organizational and time-management skills.
  • Ability to define, conduct and interpret applied research and demonstration projects
  • Successful experience obtaining new funding including grants and industry support
  • Strong leadership and teamwork skills.
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills.
  • Competence utilizing current technology as a management and program delivery tool (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Internet and Web development).
  • Knowledge of Agriculture in New York State and an appreciation of Agriculture as a business and as a lifestyle.
  • Creativity, energy, motivation and positive enthusiasm.
  • Ability to meet the travel requirements of the job.
  • Ability to work evenings and weekends as essential job functions require.

 

VI. Minimum Education

Required
Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics or Business Administration with course work in agriculture 
Desired
Coursework in areas of Adult Education, Farm Business Management, Human Resource Management, Economics of Production, Finance, Marketing, Computer Science, and Communications.

 

VII. Minimum Experience

Required:

Two years of relevant experience in Cooperative Extension, Agribusiness, Adult Education, or a closely related field

Desired:

Five years relevant experience

Knowledge and experience in production agriculture

Familiarity with record keeping and analytical software such as Quicken, QuickBooks, AgCheck, Cornell Dairy Farm Business Summary and FinPak

 

HOW TO APPLY:   Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to FBM Specialist search committee, Box 26, Kennedy Hall, Cornell U, Ithaca, NY 14853.  Contact Connie Kan at ck236@cornell.edu with any questions.

 

"APPLICATIONS will be reviewed upon receipt with formal selection beginning 05/01/08, and until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

 

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: Cornell University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Cornell University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, disability, religion, age, or sexual orientation.