Cornell Cooperative Extension in Delaware County

Position Description

 

 

Working Title: Dairy/Livestock Resource Educator                                                                 

 

Classification Title: Resource Educator

 

Appointment Term:  Position dependent on continued funding from the Watershed Agricultural Council

 

Association Name: Cooperative Extension Association of Delaware County

 

Supervisor’s Classification Title:  Watershed Agricultural Extension Team Leader

 

 

Primary Role and Accountability

Responsible for providing leadership in the planning, implementation and evaluation of innovative educational programs in  the disciplines of dairy and livestock enterprises (including herd health management (especially calves), general herd management, crop and business management) for the agricultural community of Delaware County.  Assist in representing the association to the public, community leaders, government officials and Cornell University.  At least 75% of time will normally be in Whole Farm Planning and Dairy and Livestock Enterprise Management educational program and consultation. Assist with Association organizational responsibilities.  Subject to the coordinating influence of an Executive Director, Agricultural Watershed Team Coordinator, Agriculture Issues Committee, provide initiative in developing and implementing agriculture program responsibilities.  Coordinate specialized agriculture program efforts.  May work with faculty, under agreements with the Delaware County Association, on Dairy and Livestock Enterprise applied research.  Other duties as assigned.

 

Under a Delaware County Cooperative Extension Association contract with Watershed Agricultural Council of the New York City Watershed Agricultural Program (NYCWAP) shall serve on an interagency Whole Farm Planning Team(s).  Provide leadership and training for assigned interagency team primarily in dairy and livestock enterprise management, and other interagency teams.  Shall coordinate and integrate the disciplines of dairy/animal science, farm business management, crops and other extension subject matter expertise necessary for the completion of assigned whole farm plans in the NYCWAP by specified deadline.  Majority of the position time will be allocated to the NYCWAP for the duration of the funding.

 

Issue Area Development                                                                                                                                           15%

q       Provide subject matter expertise to Watershed Agriculture Project through Cornell Cooperative Extension.

 

q       Identify local agriculture program needs with the Agriculture Issues Committee, advisory groups, agriculture clientele, and agriculture program staff.

 

q       Develop educational strategies, working with Cornell faculty and the program work teams.

 

q       Working with Agricultural Watershed Team Coordinator to ensure that program direction and related activities are coordinated within the association plan-of-work and are within the mission of Cornell Cooperative Extension.

 

q       Develop and enhance relationships with appropriate agencies, organizations, industries and community leaders.

 

q       Participate in association multi-disciplinary team efforts to address priority issues where resources allow, with the guidance of the Agricultural Watershed Team Coordinator.

 

q       Develop strategies for implementing programs that utilize a variety of proven educational methodologies and that consider the diversity of the community where appropriate.

 


Program Management

                                                                                                                                                                                                75%

q       Whole Farm Planning with specific focus on animal science/herd health management and water quality.

 

q       Provide educational programming to the agriculture community in dairy/livestock, with the integration of crop and financial management.

 

q       Develop networks of volunteers and/or professionals and nonprofessionals to extend program implementation efforts, where appropriate and feasible.

 

q       Serves as the dairy/livestock enterprise management resource to staff, clientele agencies, and other organizations identified.

 

q       Provide counsel and inservice education as resources allow to extension professionals within the association and to foster the development of confidence and competence in program processes.

 

q       Provide Equal Program Opportunity in programming to address local diversity of the community and comply with Civil Rights and the American Disabilities Act.

 

q       Shall develop materials and provide leadership for improved performance of other staff in the area of dairy/livestock enterprise management.

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q       Prepare reports on program progress and accomplishments of association programming for local, state and federal use.

 

q       Compile written reports on program activities.

 

q       With the guidance of the Agricultural Watershed Team Coordinator, seek out, prepare and submit proposals to secure additional funding, actively involving Association Director, Agriculture Issues Committee, Board of Directors, Cornell faculty and Extension Administration.

 

q       Provide to the Agricultural Watershed Team Coordinator monthly progress and expense reports and a summary that identify operational problems that effect deliverables.

 

Research and Program Evaluation                                                                                                                               5%

q       Analyze and evaluate programs and make recommendations for change in emphasis and/or improvement to the Agriculture Issues Committee and appropriate Cornell faculty and Agriculture Program units as necessary.

 

q       Communicate evaluation results, findings and recommendations to agents, Ag issues committee members, clientele and Cornell University.

 

q       Monitor assigned programs to ensure that educational content conforms to the mission and plan of work of the association(s) and Cornell University.

 

Professional Improvement                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           5%

q       Provide training and consultation in dairy/livestock enterprise management for the development and completion of Whole Farm Plans.

 

q       Provide in-service education where resources allow and be a program resource for agents and volunteers.

 

q       Support the development of volunteer staff skills.

 

q       Participate in orientation programs appropriate to staff needs.  Attend inservice education as appropriate relating to dairy/livestock enterprise management.

 

q       Jointly develop and pursue learning plan as part of performance management in cooperation with supervisor to increase competency in position responsibilities.

 

Reporting Relationships

q       Interact with appropriate Cornell faculty in relevant research efforts related to the position.

 

q       Reports to and receives program supervision and guidance from Agricultural Watershed Team Coordinator.

 

q       Programmatically and administratively responsible to the Executive Director.

 

 

Degree and Experience Pre-requisites

q       Master's degree in Animal Science or related field appropriate to performing the responsibilities of the position.

 

q       Three years of progressively responsible experience in Cooperative Extension or equivalent professional agricultural experience in education in an academic, or industry setting related to dairy/livestock enterprise management (including herd, crop and business management) preferred.

 

q       Experience with three years interactive experience with agriculture producers strongly preferred.

 

q       Demonstrated leadership experience in the agriculture arena.

 

q       Demonstrated understanding of the dynamic relationship of crop management, herd management and business management.

 

q       Utilize strong interpersonal skills.

 

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

q       General knowledge of the principles, theory, research and appropriate application of dairy/livestock enterprise management.

 

q       Ability to initiate, plan, implement, teach and evaluate informal adult educational programs to address diverse audiences.

 

q       Ability to define, conduct and interpret applied research/demonstration projects.

 

q       Recognized ability to identify and utilize program resources within the community.

 

q       Demonstrated ability to lead and effectively participate in professional team effort.

 

q       Ability to work with and support volunteer leadership and advisory committees.

 

q       Demonstrated ability to relate effectively to co-workers, advisor, community and professional leaders and identified clientele.

 

q       Demonstrated effective use of a variety of program delivery methods to reach individuals and groups.

 

q       Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through oral, written and visual channels using traditional tools as well as innovative applications of electronic technology (e.g., computers, audio, video, etc.).

 

Highly Desirable

q       At least two years extensive experience and demonstrated knowledge in integrating the disciplines of herd, business and crop management with a variety of producers and situations.

 

q       New York/ North East Certified Crop Advisor

 

q       Experience in development of nutrient and manure management plans.

 

q       Experience with new concepts or new technologies for treating manure.

 

q       Demonstrated experience with or knowledge of agriculture/water quality issues.

 

q       Experience with inter-organizational teamwork.

 

 

Special Requirements

 

q       Willing to work nights and weekends as appropriate.

 

q       Must have access to transportation adequate to meet position responsibilities.

 

APPLICATIONS will be reviewed beginning 4/10/2007, or until an acceptable pool of applicants has been identified.

 

Send letter of intent, resume, and transcripts to PA#434, 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