PROPOSED POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

Working Job Title:        Agriculture Program Leader

Classification Title:        Resource Educator

Supervisor:                   Executive Director

 

General Responsibilities & Subject Matter:  Actively interact with multiple audiences to identify the ag-related needs of Genesee County agriculture industries, producers, and ag-business. Coordinate addressing these needs by the most appropriate and efficient means available. Promote partnerships between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and all portions of the Genesee County agricultural community.

 

100% of this position will be assigned to the agriculture area.

 

Primary Role and Accountability

The Agriculture Program Leader is accountable for providing leadership, assuring Cornell and stakeholder connections, and quality for the association agriculture program.  This position requires work with multiple audiences, including industry people, producers, agencies, organizations, and volunteers in promoting partnerships between Cornell Cooperative Extension of Genesee County and all portions of the Genesee County agricultural community. The Agriculture Program Leader represents the association interests and stakeholder needs in management of the agriculture program.

 

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.

·        Utilize a comprehensive program planning process in concert with Executive Director, advisory committees, 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 active program advisory committees, and through other vehicles as appropriate, including but not limited to lending institutions, farm bureau, economic development, chamber of commerce, agriculture farmland protection.

·        Develop new CCE Educational programs as needed.

 

Program Management and Coordination Accountabilities                                                 65 %

·        Develop a plan of work and educational programs that support identified community needs, utilizing appropriate Cornell and Land Grant program resources (human, material, electronic).

·        Represent and work on behalf of local municipalities and Genesee County on land use issues impacting agriculture and open space.

·        Participate in the Genesee County Agriculture Farmland Protection Board (AFPB) in implementing policy as it relates to agriculture, based on priorities determined by the AFPB; provide quarterly and annual reporting on progress and impacts, for the purpose of making sure people have the right to farm and open land.

·        With the Executive Director, represent the association’s interests through participation in the Administrative Management Group for the regional teams (Vegetable and North West New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops). Ensure association and County representation on the advisory committees for regional agriculture programs; ensure two-way communication with the local Advisory Committees and the association.

·        Promote team efforts with other program areas and participate in multi-disciplinary, multi-association, and statewide program development to address identified priority issues.

·        Participate as an active member of the association Team.  Demonstrate leadership in working collaboratively with other association staff to achieve association goals. Accept leadership in work groups that focus on association priorities.

·        Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Cornell faculty, local organizations and partner agencies; keep these groups informed of Extension programs and direction.

·        Promote acceptance of quality programs, delivery strategies, and policies to address individual and community needs and that consider diverse audiences.

·        Communicate and support association policies and practices to staff, advisory committee members and stakeholders.

 

Subject Matter Resource and Program Delivery Accountabilities                                    20 %

·        Identify, design and conduct educational programs for targeted audiences using a variety of traditional and innovative delivery methods, based on agreed upon annual plan of work.  Diverse audiences include local governments regarding agricultural land use and policies, agriculture businesses, partner agencies, elected and appointed officials, and consumers.

·        Provide assistance and education to public officials on interpretation of ag-related federal, state, and local ordinances, roles, regulations and laws in order to implement critical decision making on land use planning, policy and public issue education.

·        Utilize mass media to increase program visibility and to address agriculture issues.  Provide press releases, newsletters, interviews, and radio spots regarding agriculture and natural resources.

 

Professional Improvement                                                                                        5 %

·        In cooperation with Executive Director, jointly develop and pursue a professional development plan as a means to increase competencies relative to position accountabilities and to address change 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. 

 

Reporting Relationship and Type of Supervision Received/Given

Receives administrative supervision by the Association Executive Director 

 

Degree and Experience Pre-requisites

Master’s Degree required with a concentration in agriculture; desired course work in adult education, dairy science vegetable crop, agriculture business management. Three years related experiences desired in teaching or extension-type work a plus.

 

Prior experience with the dairy, livestock, and/or vegetable industry and people in these communities

 

Competencies  KEY KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS

·        Demonstrated ability to initiate, plan, organize, deliver and evaluate informal educational programs

·        Demonstrated ability to lead and effectively participate as a member in professional team efforts

·        Demonstrated ability to relate effectively, including ability  to communicate breadth and depth of knowledge, especially related to identified subject matter, to a wide variety of audiences including co-workers, advisors, volunteers, community and professional leaders.

·        Demonstrated ability in creativity, initiative, reliability, and dependability

·        Demonstrated skills in oral and written communications.

·        Demonstrated ability to lead, receive and give delegation.

·        Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize print and electronic media and other technologies in educational programming

·        Demonstrated ability to utilize computers effectively for both administrative and programmatic functions

·        Demonstrated success in managing program within available resources.

 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to meet the travel requirements of this position.  If a personal vehicle is used, mileage will be reimbursed for authorized official business use.  Must be available and willing to work some evening and weekends; overnights stays are occasionally required.

 

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning 10/6/2006, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

 

Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#418, Box 26, Kennedy Hall, Cornell University, 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