Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County

Classification Title: Extension Community Educator

Job Title: Grape Educator

The individual will assess educational needs of clientele in the Hudson Valley and work with the CCE Senior Extension Resource Educator in Columbia County and the Cornell Statewide Viticulture Extension Leader to develop demonstration projects and Extension Education Programs to meet those needs.

Some of the educational activities include, but are not limited to: on-farm consultations; collecting pest and other important data for newsletters; preparing articles for periodicals; coordinating and preparing for educational meetings such as twilight meetings; and initiating and maintaining demonstration projects.

The candidate will have an office at the Hudson Valley Laboratory in Highland, NY. This is a regional position with the following counties participating in the educational program: Columbia, Dutchess, Orange, Rensselaer and Ulster.

Program Management and Coordination 5%

· Participate in grower advisory committee meetings and agricultural program committee meetings.

Subject Matter Resource and Program Delivery 60%

· Visit grape growers and winemakers, on an as needed basis, to provide education and to discover appropriate unmet educational needs.

· Collaborate with stakeholders, Extension Educators and Cornell Statewide Extension Enologists and Viticulturists to plan and conduct educational activities in Enology and other grape related topics (i.e, twilight meetings, grape school, computer-based learning, etc.)

· Gather data for and preparing weekly updates during the growing season and write newsletter articles and fact sheets (as needed).

Research and Program Evaluation 35%

· Cooperate and provide assistance to the Hudson Valley Laboratory staff and faculty in the Department of Horticulture as needed in the area of viticulture and enology research.

· Establish demonstration plots to demonstrate best management practices for growing and caring for grapes. Will also include planning programs on winemaking practices with Enology Extension Associate.

Special Requirements:

· Must possess good problem diagnosis skills to identify educational needs of clientele. Need to be able to think creatively to develop educational activities that will meet the needs of clientele.

· Adapts to changing priorities, situations and demands and can handle multiple tasks and priorities.

· Work closely with grape growers and wine makers in the five county area to identify educational and demonstration project priorities. Will work closely with the Sr. Resource Educator in Columbia County to develop educational programs to meet the needs of clientele in the five county region.

· Will work collaboratively with faculty in a variety of departments at Cornell University to develop grape education projects for this region. Working as a team, the candidate and the Senior Resource Educator in Columbia County will collaborate with Statewide Viticulture Extension Leader and Extension Enologist to prepare educational programs in the Hudson Valley and use statewide resources where needed.

EEO/EPO

• Ensure that program activities reach out to diverse audiences.
• Appreciate and embrace diversity in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.

Reporting Relationships and Type of Supervision Received/Given

Will be supervised by CCE Columbia County Agricultural Issue Leader. The CCE Association Agricultural Program Committee will provide guidance in general management of the position. The Hudson Valley Grape Advisory Committee will provide guidance in performance of educational activities.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelors of Science degree in an appropriate program area from an accredited institution plus one year related experience.

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning 5/16/2008, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to CCE of Columbia County, 479 Rte. 66, Hudson, NY 12534.