Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County
Working Title: Horticulture Program Leader
Classification Title: Issue Leader
Supervisor's Classification Title: Executive Director
Primary Role and Accountability
The Horticulture
Program Leader is a member of the management team, and is accountable for
providing leadership, planning, priority setting, assuring Cornell and
stakeholder connections, and quality for all association programs within the
area of commercial ornamental and consumer Horticulture. This
position ensures that high quality horticulture programs are provided to
audiences that include both professionals and consumers. This position directly
provides programming for commercial horticulture audiences, and supervises
staff who provide consumer horticulture education programs. In this leadership
role, the person coaches, supports and enables educators to provide subject
matter resources that connect Cornell faculty and state efforts to local
priorities.
Issue Area Program Development and
Priority Setting Accountabilities 10 %
·
Provide
leadership for quality educational programs based on a program development
system that includes representation from the community. Ensure program plans are consistent with
association mission and conform to policies and objectives of the association
and Cornell University.
·
Provide
leadership for determining horticulture needs in a multi-county area, and work
collaboratively to determine options for multi-county programming.
·
Provide
input to Cornell faculty on local needs, and collaborate with faculty and
others on developing resources that address local priorities.
·
Utilize a
comprehensive program planning process in concert with the supervisor, advisory
committee, stakeholders and Cornell faculty to identify priority community
needs.
·
Provide
leadership to support a system of ongoing involvement of citizens in the
program development process, through an active advisory committee, and through
other vehicles as appropriate.
Program Management and Coordination
Accountabilities 15 %
·
Provide
leadership for the Horticulture program, coaching, supporting and enabling
educators and to deliver educational programs to achieve program objectives.
·
Ensure that
horticulture staff provide supportive supervision, training, and volunteer
management so that Master Gardener volunteers are equipped to effectively carry
out their roles.
·
Develop and
implement marketing strategies to reach target audiences.
·
Develop
strategic partnerships within the community to enhance program and funding opportunities.
·
Provide
supervision for the local plant diagnostic laboratory to ensure that the
educational service is providing accurate information in a timely matter to
meet the plant health needs of professionals and consumers.
Program Delivery Accountabilities 50 %
·
Develop and
conduct high impact educational programs for commercial horticulture audiences,
that reflect both current and emerging needs, and that support the economic
vitality of the horticulture industry. Utilize a variety of delivery methods
including lectures, field days, consultations, newsletters, and electronic
technology that are appropriate to the needs of the learners.
·
Extend
research-based information to address horticulture issues by utilizing mass media. Develop good relationships with media
contacts. Provide press releases, interviews, and radio and television
appearances.
·
Serve as
subject-matter resource to the advisory committee, staff and professional
clientele.
Research and Program Evaluation
Accountabilities 10
%
·
Analyze and
evaluate programs, for both program quality and impact. Determine actions to strengthen and improve
programs and outcomes. Assure implementation
of program improvement strategies and assessment of their effectiveness.
·
Communicate
evaluation results, recommendations and impacts to internal and external
stakeholders, the general public and program participants.
Administrative Management
Accountabilities 10
%
·
Identify
potential funding sources and develop proposals to secure additional funding
for identified program priorities.
·
Monitor the
program budget and make program and staffing adjustments to achieve program
objectives.
·
Under the
general direction of the Executive Director and the Advisory Committee, assist
in the business and management of the association relating to program,
including the development of annual budget requests and management of the
program unit’s portion of the budget.
Compile and prepare appropriate written reports on work plans and
outcomes.
Professional Improvement 5 %
·
In
cooperation with the supervisor, jointly develop and pursue a professional
development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position
accountabilities and to address changes in programming and association
priorities.
EEO/EPO Accountabilities
Ensure
program outreach to diverse audiences, and that affirmative action requirements
are met within the program. Embrace
diversity in all interactions with clientele, staff, volunteers and the public.
Contacts (level of interaction and
outcomes)
·
Actively
represent the association and the region on statewide Program Work Teams to
ensure connections that will enable increased capabilities to address local and
regional efforts and priorities.
·
Interact
directly with, and both provide input and seek the resource expertise of
faculty and other subject matter experts to address identified needs and
complex issues.
·
Interact
and represent extension with individuals from local and state agencies such as
Agriculture and Markets, Department of Environmental Conservation and the
County Health Department.
·
Participate
in professional organizations and with community stakeholders to stay abreast
of local priority issues.
·
Work with
green industry trade organizations and extension educators in the region to
enhance collaboration and develop regional programming.
·
Represent
the association to funding agencies and grant sources to negotiate and develop
new sources of revenue and opportunities to meet program priority and clientele
needs.
Reporting Relationships and Type of
Supervision Received/Given
As
a subject matter expert, independently identify clientele and select
appropriate subject matter relative to analyzed needs, alerting the advisory
committee and supervisor of issues and concerns as well as actual or potential
areas of risk or conflict. Operate as a
professional educator, self-directing work based on identified priorities and
work plan.
Responsible
for directly supervising the Horticulture Community Educator and the
Horticulture Program Assistant, and shares supervision of the
Horticulture/Agriculture Secretary.
Provide overall supervision to the horticulture educators, responsible
for goal setting and providing subject matter and administrative support. Responsible for hiring educators and
ensuring strong performance management.
Degree and Experience Pre-requisites
Master’s
degree required. Either the bachelor’s
or master’s degree must have a major in Horticulture or a field directly related
to this position. A minimum of four
years relevant experience is required, including supervisory experience, with
more experience highly desirable.
Coursework
in plant and soil sciences including Turfgrass Management, Ornamental Plants,
Floriculture, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Weed Science and Integrated Pest
Management, is highly preferred.
Coursework in education and communication is desirable.
Competencies
·
Proven
in-depth knowledge of Ornamental Horticulture, with expertise in turfgrass,
diagnostics and Integrated Pest Management
·
Demonstrated
familiarity with basic plant diagnostic lab procedures for plant diseases and
pests
·
Demonstrated
ability to initiate, plan, organize, implement and evaluate informal education
programs for diverse audiences.
Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize a variety of teaching and
delivery methods.
·
Demonstrated
ability to effectively lead and manage a highly functioning work team. Demonstrated experience in effective
supervision and management.
·
Proven
ability to effectively work with advisory committees; ability to identify and
involve people in determining program direction.
·
Demonstrated
ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisors, community and
professional leaders and clientele groups.
·
Demonstrated
ability to identify and make use of program resources within the community and
to establish a leadership role within the horticulture industry
·
Demonstrated
ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual channels
using traditional methods as well as electronic technology.
·
Ability to
generate a credible media presence in the community.
·
Demonstrated
ability to identifying and securing funding that supports programs, including grant
writing, and developing public and private partnerships.
·
Demonstrated
ability to utilize computers effectively for both administrative and
programmatic functions.
Must be able to
meet the travel requirements of the position.
If a personal vehicle is used, mileage will be reimbursed for official
business use. Must be available and
willing to work some evenings and weekends; overnight stays are occasionally
required.
Must be able to
meet the requirements to conduct field research; this includes acquiring and
maintaining a pesticide applicator's license from the NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation.
APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning 6/15/2006, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.
Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#408,
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.
Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.cce.cornell.edu