PA 349: Horticultural Educator
Location: Westchester County, Valhalla, New York
GENERAL
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible
for planning, implementing, and evaluating educational programs in both consumer
and commercial horticulture for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Westchester
County. The primary responsibility in
consumer horticulture is management of the Master Gardener Volunteer Program. The primary responsibility in commercial
horticulture is working with the well established turf and landscape
maintenance industry, but may include work with nurseries, greenhouses, fruit
and vegetable producers, water quality, and other environmental issues. Provide advice and education in consumer and
commercial horticulture, including plant diagnostics. Editor of horticulture newsletter. Promote program objectives and plans within the area of
environmentally appropriate horticulture and integrated pest management. Represent the association to the public,
community leaders, government officials, and Cornell University. Assist Program Director in supervising
Community Extension Educators and support staff. Train and supervise Master Gardener Volunteer Project
Coordinator. Train, supervise, and
support Master Gardener volunteers.
Support association efforts in fundraising activities.
PROGRAM
DEVELOPMENT: 30%
Plan the delivery of established and innovative
short- and long- range educational programs within the area of consumer and
commercial horticulture based upon the association plan-of-work and in support
of regional and statewide plans.
Carry out ongoing needs assessment with local staff,
clientele, and faculty.
Identify program needs through Horticulture Program
Director, Horticulture and the Environment Program Committee, advisory
committees and/or program participants.
Identify and structure programs that address
community and individual needs, and that consider the diversity of the
community.
Draw upon Cornell program resources and recommendations
in horticulture and coordinate activities with the Program Director in order to
address clientele needs and to select program materials. Identify and involve community resources as
appropriate.
Interpret Cornell and association program direction,
communicate recommendations to clientele, and foster acceptance of programs,
methods, and policies, including multidisciplinary and multi-association
programming efforts.
Involve, utilize, inform, and advise Master Gardener
volunteers and volunteers serving on association program advisory committees.
Be involved in regional and statewide consumer and
commercial horticulture efforts to address priority issues, including serving
on appropriate Program Work Teams at Cornell.
PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION: 40%
Consult with association staff and Cornell faculty
and program units to obtain specialized assistance in developing/delivering
programs and materials.
Provide educational programming to commercial,
consumer, and volunteer audiences in environmentally appropriate horticulture
and integrated pest management.
Conduct educational programs to impact consumer and
commercial audiences through a variety of delivery methods.
Participate in mass media efforts related to program,
including serving as editor of horticulture newsletter.
Serve as subject-matter resource to the staff and
clientele, including schools, agencies, and other groups, as they are
identified.
Manage the Master Gardener Volunteer program.
Train and assist in supervising Master Gardener
Volunteer Project Coordinator.
Select, train, supervise, develop, and evaluate
Master Gardener volunteers to extend program.
Assist Horticulture Program Director in supervising
Community Extension Educators and serve as a resource to them in their program
delivery.
Assist Horticulture Program Director in supervising
support staff.
Participate in association fundraising efforts. Assist in identifying
and securing outside funding including grants and
contracts. Assist in writing grant
proposals.
PROGRAM
EVALUATION: 20%
Interact with program participants, program
committee, Cornell specialists and faculty, and county and community leaders to
obtain their evaluation of programs.
Analyze and evaluate horticulture programs and make
recommendations to Program Director for strengthening and improving programs.
Keep track of program statistics; prepare
statistical reports and program impact statements as assigned.
Interpret evaluation data to the public.
PROFESSIONAL
IMPROVEMENT: 10%
Participate in Cornell and association orientation
programs.
Participate in relevant professional organizations.
Attend relevant in-service education programs and
classes in various areas of horticulture.
Jointly develop and pursue a professional
improvement plan in cooperation with the Program Director to increase
competency in position responsibilities.
REPORTING
RELATIONSHIPS:
Report to and receive supervision and guidance from
Horticulture Program Director.
Assist in supervision of Master Gardener Volunteer
Project Coordinator.
Assist in supervision of Community Extension
Educators and support staff.
Supervise Master Gardener volunteers.
DEGREE
AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master's degree in horticulture, plant science,
plant pathology, entomology, weed science, or related field, with coursework in
some of the following areas:
horticulture, plant science, plant pathology, entomology, weed science,
integrated pest management, turfgrass management, plant physiology, botany,
soil science, ecology, computer science, or related areas. Previous work experience in horticulture or
related field; integrated pest management, volunteer management, general
education and/or extension-type work preferred.
Pesticide Applicator’s Certification in NY state in
Category 3A, or able to receive certification within one year.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including some
evenings and weekends.
KNOWLEDGE,
SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Ability to plan, organize, implement, teach, and evaluate
educational programs in horticulture and integrated pest management.
Ability to identify and involve appropriate people
in determining program direction.
Ability to effectively participate in professional
team efforts.
Ability to relate to diverse audiences.
Familiarity with a variety of program delivery
methods to reach individuals and groups.
Ability to communicate effectively through oral,
written, and visual channels using traditional educational tools. Familiarity with electronic technology (e.g.
video, audio, computer.)
Ability to identify and develop volunteer
leadership.
Ability to identify and utilize program resources
within the community and Cornell University.
Ability to work flexible hours.
APPLICATIONS
will be reviewed beginning, 9/30/04, or until an acceptable pool of applicants
has been identified.
Send
letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#349, Box 26, Kennedy Hall,
Cornell U, Ithaca, NY 14853.
**Individuals
who bring a diverse perspective and are supportive of diversity are strongly
encouraged to apply. EOE.