POSITION TITLE: Extension Associate

WORKING TITLE: Area Fruit Extension Educator – Fruit Quality Management

TITLE OF IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Lake Ontario Fruit Program Team Leader

DEPARTMENT: College of Ag and Life Sciences, Cornell Cooperative Extension,

Lake Ontario Fruit Program

LOCATION: Lake Ontario Fruit Region of Western New York

I. Summary Statement of Purpose and Responsibilities

You can become a part of a dynamic team of educators who work with a viable fruit industry of Western New York providing cutting edge technology to improve growth, sustainability, and profitability in the fruit business. This person provides leadership for planning, conducting, and evaluating a comprehensive educational program, including applied research and demonstrations in commercial tree fruit and berry harvest/post-harvest quality to meet market requirements in Monroe, Niagara, Orleans, and Wayne Counties and statewide as appropriate.

II. Specific Job Functions and Responsibilities

A. Program Development and Implementation 55%

1. Work as a member of a four-specialist team in a four county area in tree fruit and berries.

2. Work through LOF Advisory Committee to prioritize educational efforts.

3. Lead and/or participate in collaborative processes with extension educator colleagues, faculty and industry leaders to prepare and submit proposals to secure additional short-term funding to enhance selected elements of the program.

4. Provide leadership for creating, planning, implementing and evaluating educational programs that provide participants with research-based knowledge. Emphasis on the demonstration and adoption of production and harvest handling practices that impact on post-harvest fruit quality. This program will include, but is not limited to:

a. Harvest maturity program for regional harvest recommendations

b. Harvesting, handling and storage of fruit, including the role of pre-harvest factors, and implementation of post-harvest technologies.

c. Fruit marketing issues related to the quality of New York fruit in the marketplace.

5. Implement educational programs using a variety of methods, including but not limited to:

a. Direct teaching through group experiences

b. Field Demonstrations

c. Mass media

d. Newsletters

e. Electronic technology using internet and distance learning, and

f. One-to-one communications as needed for troubleshooting and problem solving.

B. Applied Research 20%

1.   In collaboration with faculty in subject area, initiate and conduct appropriate in-depth applied research and field demonstrations with statewide implications in commercial tree fruit and berry harvest, post-harvest, handling and storage technology as an educational outreach strategy.  

2.   Participate in collaborative projects with Cornell faculty and staff, other off-campus extension educators, private industry researchers, and staff from other governmental and non-governmental agencies and organizations.

C. Program Evaluation 10%

1. Analyze and evaluate major program efforts with the input of the team leader, Cornell faculty, and the LOF Program Advisory Group, and make recommendations for altering and improving these efforts.

2. Communicate evaluation results, findings, and recommendations to other extension educators, LOF Program Advisory Group, Administrative Management Group through the team leader, and Cornell faculty.

3. Work with team members to prepare quarterly reports and yearly impact statements on program progress and accomplishments for local, state, and federal levels.

4. Monitor program, to ensure that educational content conforms to policies and objectives of Cornell University.

D. Professional Improvement 10%

1. With advice and council from a mentoring committee, participate in orientation, in-service education and other professional development opportunities as needed in relation to program responsibilities.

2. Annually prepare a professional development plan and self-performance for improvement and subject matter excellence.

3. Be involved in professional organizations.

E. General 5%

1. Cooperate with other staff and volunteers in the integration of personal talents and programs with the overall Cornell Cooperative Extension educational effort.

III. Supervision

1. Administrative direction and guidance provided by LOF Team Leader and CCE Regional Agriculture Program Coordinator

2. Academic oversight and guidance provided by Horticulture Science Department, Cornell University Faculty

3. Program oversight and direction provided by LOF Team leader, faculty leader, and Industry Advisory Committee

4. Provides supervision and guidance to administrative and technical support staff

IV. Administrative and Program Relationships

1. Internal

Provide direct linkage with the following groups to identify educational and research program needs and opportunities:

· Cornell faculty and staff in Ithaca, Geneva, and Hudson Valley Lab

· Lake Ontario Fruit (LOF) Program Advisory Committee

· Statewide Fruit Program Work Team (Fruit Work Group)

· LOF Administrative Management Group through the team leader

2. External

Develop and enhance relationships with other industry groups, appropriate agencies, organizations, and community leaders as a resource in harvest and post-harvest systems for fruit quality management in tree fruit and berries.

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

• Ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement, teach, and evaluate educational programs addressing diverse audiences.
• Ability to identify and involve people in determining program direction.
• Ability to effectively work with program/advisory committees.
• Ability to lead and effectively participate in professional team efforts.
• Ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and professional leaders, and diverse clientele groups.
• Ability to cultivate relationships with organizations and segments of the industry for funding opportunities.
• Ability to relate to routine farm situations.
• Ability to utilize resources effectively.
• Ability to identify and develop volunteer/cooperator participation.
• Ability to identify and utilize program resources within the community.
• Effective skills in the use of a variety of educational program delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively through verbal, written, and visual channels using traditional educational tools as well as electronic technology (e.g., video, audio, computers, etc.).
• Skills in grant writing.
• Computer skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, email, internet, statistical analysis.
• Time management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel and maintain valid NYS driver’s license.
• Ability to acquire a New York State Certified Pesticide Applicators License
• Willingness to work flexible hours including nights and weekends based on seasonal demands.

VI. Minimum Education

Required: Masters Degree in Horticulture, agri-business, or related area

Desired: Coursework in horticulture, pomology, plant physiology, post-harvest and storage of horticultural crops, education, and communication

VII. Minimum Experience

Required: Two to five years relevant work experience in agribusiness or crop production

Desired: Experience in fruit crop production

HOW TO APPLY: Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to Area Fruit Extension Educator-FQM, Box 26, Kennedy Hall, Cornell U, Ithaca, NY 14853. Contact Connie Kan at ck236@cornell.edu for any questions.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 30, 2007 or until a suitable candidate is hired.

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.